by Johanna Ginsberg
NJJN Staff Writer

October 30, 2008

Responding to the economic crisis, United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ launched a supplemental fund-raising campaign.

MetroWest HELPS, conducted in collaboration with Jewish Family Service of MetroWest and Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest, aims to raise a minimum of $250,000 by the end of December.

The umbrella philanthropy is also emphasizing the assistance available from its network of partner agencies, including counseling, vocational, and senior services.

“The financial crisis is affecting everyone, but those who have the least are the ones who are going to lose the most,” said UJC MetroWest executive vice president Max Kleinman. “They don’t have reserves; they don’t have any other resources. You know when somebody is worrying, ‘Am I going to make my monthly payment for rent?’ or ‘I’m about to be thrown out,’ or ‘I lost a job and I’m running out of benefits,’ they will need help.

“And that’s why you have a Jewish community: to try to provide assistance.”

In response to the first wave of increased caseloads, particularly at JFS and JVS, UJC MetroWest approved an initial $50,000 to launch MetroWest HELPS on Oct. 7.

Funding is being allocated to JFS and JVS to help bolster the safety net of services they provide.

The initial campaign is targeted at a small circle of donors. Later, UJC will expand the solicitations if necessary.

From July through September, UJC partner agencies reported a 30 percent increase in monthly caseloads for career counseling, job placement, mental health counseling, and cash assistance requests, as compared with the same period in 2007.

The numbers are expected to increase dramatically over the next three to six months.

“It’s hard to really know what the fallout is going to be,” said JVS executive director Len Schneider. “But the trend is steadily increasing caseloads.”

He believes the worst is yet to come. “There is a lag between the time people are impacted by job loss and the time they reach out for help. So the large number of people being let go over the past several weeks likely has not hit us yet.”

Among those who have, he said, statistics hide a critical group: the underemployed.

“I have seen a sizeable number of people” who are underemployed and actively looking for something better, he said. He described those “formerly earning six-figure salaries who lost jobs, lost benefits, and are now driving a car service because it’s a job.”

Schneider also pointed out a crisis among retirees — he has seen a 40 percent increase in people retired or contemplating retirement now forced to return to or stay in the workplace.

Two-pronged approach

In addition to fund-raising, the HELPS campaign is about awareness.

“This economic crisis is impacting people in different ways,” said JFS executive director Reuben Rotman. “Some may have lost jobs; some are worried they may lose their jobs or that their businesses will suffer over the next period of time. People…are also struggling with anxiety. We need to remind people we are here.”

Gary Aidekman, UJC MetroWest president, stressed the importance of synagogue participation in coordinating efforts.

“We really need synagogues to join with us in addressing this effort,” he said. “Those that are not part of the JVS Jewish Employment Network should seriously consider joining that. Clergy should be aware of JFS and the services they provide and be sufficiently familiar with those services so they can refer folks if necessary.

“The point is, if we cooperate,” said Aidekman, “we can extend all of our limited resources and coordinate to best serve those who need us right now.”

He said brochures detailing services the community provides have been delivered to synagogues in the area and will soon be available to the general public.

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Getting help

FUNDING RAISED for MetroWest HELPS will provide additional staff hours and safety-net dollars to handle this growing emergency. Specifically the fund-raising campaign of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ will provide through its network of partner agencies:

• Mental health services, including counseling, and case management services to families who are experiencing economic distress.
• Eligibility determination and assistance with applications for local, state, and federal financial assistance, as well as for Hebrew Free Loans.
• Emergency financial assistance, provided on an individual basis, as an adjunct to clinical services and only after other avenues have been exhausted. (A financial assessment is conducted to ensure that appropriate help is provided that will sustain a client through a time-limited crisis. For long-term financial assistance, clients will be referred to appropriate entitlement and budgeting programs.)
• Job placement assistance, including cover letter and resume preparation, networking strategies, interview techniques, and how to conduct an efficient and effective job search.
• A response line — 973-765-9050 — for confidential referrals to the appropriate support services.

Those who know of available job openings are being asked to contact JVS at 973-674-6330, ext. 259, or by e-mailing mkatz@jvsnj.org.

Donations to MetroWest HELPS are being accepted at www.ujcnj.org/help or by phone at 973-929-3094.

For further information, visit: www.ujcnj.org/help.

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