Organization: JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF THE
Mission: TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE WHO ARE TRYING TO COPE WITH LIFE'S CHALLENGES
Activities: JFS PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION, COUNSELING, REFERRAL SERVICES, FOOD AND ECONOMIC AID TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY. MAJOR PRORAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: SECURING GRANTS TO EXPAND OUR EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEEDING MORTGAGE OR RENT SUBSIDIES DUE TO COVID-19 CLOSURES. OUR COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY AND MAZEL MEALS WERE RUNNING UNDER NEW CONTACTLESS PROTOCOLS WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK. PRIOR TO THE OUTBREAK OF THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE SERVING APPROXIMATELY 150 HOUSEHOLDS MONTHLY IN OUR CHOICE FOOD PANTRY. WE COULD NOT OFFER CHOICE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND OUR NUMBERS REDUCED TO ABOUT 100 HOUSEHOLDS. SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE O.WE INTRODUCED NEW PROGRAMS TO RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC, LIKE THE SHOP GAP PROGRAM TO GET GROCERIES TO OLDER ADULTS AND THE SEND-A-CARD PROGRAM TO ENGAGE VOLUNTEERS WITH ISOLATED CLIENTS THROUGH THE MAIL. WE ALSO RECORDED VIDEO PROGRAMS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS THAT WERE SHARED WITH COMMUNITY RESIDENCES. VOLUNTEERS DROPPED OFF GOODY BAGS AT THE RESIDENCES. WE STARTED A SERIES OF WEBINARS ON TOPICS OF INTEREST INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, MINDFULNESS AND IDENTITY, AND ALSO SHIFTED OUR ANNUAL PHYLLIS RINGEL MEMORIAL LECTURE TO A VIRTUAL FORMAT. MUCH RESEARCH AND PLANNING WENT INTO BEGINNING OUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WITH TIKVAH HOUSE TO PROVIDE JEWISH LIFE PROGRAMMING TO ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. A NEW OLDER ADULT CASE MANAGER WAS HIRED TO JOIN OUR STAFF TO PRIMARILY WORK WITH OLDER ADULTS OVER THE AGE OF 65.
NTEE category: Human Services
Secondary category: Mental Health & Crisis Intervention