An Initiative of Your Rhode Island Jewish Community Providing a Safety Net | Promoting Self-Sufficiency | Increasing Access to Jewish Life
LIVING on the EDGE 2016 COM M U N IT Y I M PACT RE PORT
OUR CARING COMMUNITY: ACHIEVING IMPACT TOGETHER September 2016 | Elul 5776 Dear Friends,
In 2013 the Jewish Alliance, with the foresight and generosity of Alan Hassenfeld, commissioned the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University to study economic insecurity among Jewish households in greater Rhode Island. The findings dispelled the common misconception that there is little to no poverty in the Jewish community or that Jews are disproportionately wealthy. In only 34 months since the report was published, the Alliance and our community partners have earnestly and productively followed up on the recommendations made by launching Living on the Edge (LOE)— a slate of community programs and organizational initiatives that address the needs outlined and affirmed by the report. A vital element of helping those who are experiencing economic insecurity is an understanding of where they are coming from in a Jewish sense. This requires a cultural competency which our network of LOE agencies and professionals is well positioned to handle—and it is changing the way we serve those in financial distress. Today, LOE has become a lifeline for many. Over time, more people have come forward for help—people who never imagined needing it. But as it was designed, LOE is not merely a handout, it is a hand up. The LOE platform is driven by the values of dignity, compassion and respect for clients in a confidential and non-judgemental environment. In working together, we’ve fostered a coordinated system of positive change for our community members. While the report’s findings are staggering, so too has been our community’s response. From the generosity of our LOE donors who take seriously their obligation to uplift those most in need to the critical work of our community partners who are highlighted throughout this report, the coordinated commitment to bettering the lives of our local Jewish community is beyond impressive. Friends, although this report illustrates the great strides we have made as a community in the fight against poverty and vulnerability, there is still much work to be done. That said, it is with great pride that I share with you the impact the LOE initiative has made in our community since its launch.
Jeffrey K. Savit President & CEO Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island
THE FINDINGS*
1 in 2 1
Jewish households in Rhode Island live unexpected expense away from economic uncertainty
THE BREAKDOWN
of Jewish households in greater Rhode Island:
2% fall below the federal poverty level 18% live near poverty 30% are economically vulnerable Through both initiatives and outreach, the LOE community platform aims to support long-term stability for greater Rhode Island’s Jewish community.
HOW WE DO IT:
THE RESPONSE
our community’s coordinated efforts are outlined on the following pages...
Providing a safety net Promoting self-sufficiency Increasing access to Jewish life *Source: Brandeis University, Steinhardt Social Research Institute (September 2013) Living on the Edge: Economic Insecurity among Jewish Households in Greater Rhode Island F. Chertok, D. Parmer, with E. Aitan, J. Davidson
ACCESSJEWISHRI.ORG Custom-designed for the Jewish community of Rhode Island, AccessJewishRI.org is a collaboration among the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, greater Rhode Island synagogues, Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island, and Jewish Seniors Agency of Rhode Island. Launched in July 2015, in response to the need for a central web platform for information on Jewish communal services in the region, AccessJewishRI.org has experienced immense success through both the online portal and a dedicated phone line (the warm-line) in connecting community members with the resources and networks they need. Critical to this project is a dedicated Community Concierge team, providing confidential personalized services to those seeking assistance. As a central touchpoint for community members looking for services, AccessJewishRI.org seamlessly connects clients with both Jewish and nonJewish agencies through a coordinating office, that also works in conjunction with other LOE initiatives such as Vocational Assistance, Helping Hands, and Access: Senior Transportation.
HOW WE DO IT: Connecting Jewish families with nutrition and food assistance through the Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry, a program of Jewish Seniors Agency. Assisting community members with short- and long-term shelter and housing options when facing eviction. Ensuring community members know where and how to access health and wellness services. Facilitating connections to Jewish cultural and spiritual experiences. Educating community members about available public legal and financial benefits.
Access Jewish Rhode Island
M ORE THAN 3,0 0 0 + I N DIVI DUAL S HAVE VI S ITE D ACC E S S J E WI S H RI .ORG S I NC E IT S L AU NC H
WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING: “I am truly grateful for the help and guidance I received by connecting with AccessJewishRI.org. The grant I received helped me keep a roof over my children’s and my head. This has been an exceptionally difficult time as I have been out of work for six months and a vast majority of it receiving little or no child support. I couldn’t have gotten through this without the assistance from the Jewish community.”
4,OOO+
site vis
its
NEARLY 6K WE B PAG E S HAVE B E E N VI E WE D — H E LPI NG TO CON N EC T PEO PLE TO TH E S E RVIC E S TH E Y N E E D
“I am truly grateful...”
Impact testimonials have been edited in order to protect the identities of our clients.
an addit touchpo ional 275 ints Access using our warm-li ne
VOCATIONAL ASSISTANCE Guided by the recommendation to ensure a strong employment assistance program, the Alliance’s Vocational Assistance program falls under the LOE umbrella. Vocational Assistance helps individuals seeking employment with interview etiquette training, and facilitates employment network connections and mentoring. Clients are assisted with finding employment that is also relevant to where they are in their lives. Since different people seek different kinds of work at different points in their lives, Vocational Assistance connects people with both permanent and part-time positions as needed. Clients come from diverse sources, including the Community Concierge and online services of AccessJewishRI.org, in addition to recommendations made by other Jewish communal organizations and rabbinic leadership. The demographics of clients are also diverse and span various employment fields, ages, education levels, and religious affiliation. The cross-collaboration between Vocational Assistance, other departments, and outside agencies furthers synergistic interactions that benefit all parties.
HOW WE DO IT: Providing assistance and guidance to the client throughout the entire job-seeking process. Leveraging employment networks of an active volunteer board as well as the Vocational Assistance coordinator. Coaching clients on interview skills and providing help with resume-building. Checking with clients regularly after job placement to ensure smooth workplace integration and to gauge the meaningfulness of the work for the client.
WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING:
77 PEOPLE
HAVE REC E IVE D E M PLOY M E NT A S S I STANC E I N TH E L A ST 12 M ONTH S
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“The resources and support offered were exceptional. When I was at my lowest and needed someone to believe in me, Vocational Services and AccessJewishRI were there. Quick to respond, pleasant to work with, and still maintaining contact. I have been employed now for over 9 months and can only see forward.”
“...I was at my lowest and needed someone to believe in me...”
Four of whom were lacking the financial resources to purchase professional clothes for interviews and were provided with gift cards to help ensure they present their very best to potential employers.
PRESIDENT’S ASSISTANCE FUND
30 community members received Passover foods
enabling them to celebrate the festival of freedom and fulfill the holiday mitzvahs with dignity
The President’s Assistance Fund is a discretionary fund established to address unexpected expenses not otherwise covered by alternative funding grants. Funds are allocated in consultation with, and under the advisement of Concierges, community rabbis, and Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island.
WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING: Preventing crisis in the future:
“I am so grateful for everything you are doing. With your help, I was able to grieve the loss of my father, while knowing my mother would be able to stay in the home they created for themselves. It means so much to me and my family and I can’t thank you enough.”
11 children and young adults received grants for
support programs and summer camp experiences to help them escape from difficult home conditions that impaired their learning and socialization. For some, their first summer camp experiences were made possible by these grants.
19 families
received funds for emergency household needs and/or unexpected life-cycle preparations
“... I was able to grieve the loss of my father.”
56 HELPING HANDS Generously seeded by an anonymous donor, Helping Hands is not a band-aid to immediate community need, rather it provides a step-up to individuals and families through an additional pool of unrestricted funds. These funds often go to cover rent expenses, security deposits and emergency home appliance repair. In addition to financial assistance, Helping Hands provides clients with basic household goods and healthcare items. Helping Hands resources are distributed by way of a team that is made up of rabbinic leadership, layleadership as well as staff from Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island, Jewish Seniors Agency of Rhode Island, and the Jewish Alliance.
MORE THAN
0 1 WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO $ 3 3,0 0
56
INDIVIDUALS & HOUSEHOLDS
HOW WE DO IT: Assisting clients with their needs to set them up for success while reinforcing their dignity. Finding work is important, and being able to get to work in order to keep that job is critical. Helping Hands has been able to help community members who had no way to get to work obtain transportation, furthering their self-sustainability.
PLUS AN ADDITIONAL
$5,700
LOE Gran ts
10
INDIVIDUALS & HOUSEHOLDS
KESHER: A PROGRAM OF JFS expanded to five area synagogues
40+
5
Receiving funding from both Living on the Edge and the Alliance Annual Campaign, Jewish Family Service’s Kesher program brings licensed social workers onsite to synagogues across the greater Rhode Island area. Kesher provides valuable counseling support to congregants in need of both immediately pressing and ongoing social services. Working in collaboration with congregational rabbis, Kesher ensures that community members receive both the social and spiritual support system they need. During the past year, Kesher was available at Congregation Agudas Achim, Congregation Beth Sholom, Temple Am David, Temple Emanu-El, and Temple Torat Yisrael.
one-on-one meetings and home visits with clients
HOW WE DO IT:
500+ touchpoints
130 community members 4
averaging more than interactions per client, with repeat engagements pointing to ongoing relationship building
Providing access to wrap-around care. Conducting family/life balance workshops for congregants at each partner synagogue. Educating congregants in key financial literacy through both one-on-one and group workshops. Extending prepared meals and food pantry access to non-congregants.
ACCESS: SENIOR TRANSPORTATION
950+
Employing a voucher-based system, Access: Senior Transportation ensures the availability of low-cost, low-barrier transportation for seniors in greater Rhode Island. Coordinated by our Community Concierges, subsidized transportation is provided by a contracted transportation company, and clients are able to schedule their transportation needs directly with their driver. Clients pay $10 for a pack of vouchers and receive over $70 worth of services. Access: Senior Transportation maximizes the independence of clients while maintaining their dignity and choice of service.
vouchers have been distributed, to more than
WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING:
“Thank you for helping me get to the hospital to spend time with my wife. I had no other way to get there.”
voucher
60 isolated and vulnerable seniors
30 clients who are most in need received vouchers at no cost
Access: Senior Transportation empowers seniors to leave their homes and avoid isolation
synagogue services
“I had no other way to get there.”
personal errands
medical appointments
meal sites & socialization
13,200 MEALS
DU RI NG A T WE LVE M ONTH PE RIOD
120 individuals were served 6,200 meals at
two congregant meal sites in Providence & Cranston
45 homebound individuals received 7,000 meals through Meals on Wheels
250+ 250
In September 2015, more than elementary and middle school students received school supplies and/or gift cards to purchase materials as needed
KOSHER NUTRITION PROGRAM: A PROGRAM OF JFS Given the expense of purchasing kosher food on an ongoing basis, the Kosher Nutrition Program has been able to serve both homebound and isolated clients, ensuring that individuals receive healthy kosher food to address both their nutritional and spiritual needs. Services are provided via meal sites as well as through Meals on Wheels. For some, their Meals on Wheels delivery volunteer may be the only person who comes to their door, so the socialization element is critical. Congregant dining offers clients both positive social integration and nutritious food. Thus community members are being impacted in ways that broaden what it means to live healthily.
BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES Given the extra pressure placed on families to cover the cost of school supplies every year, the Back to School Supplies program provides families with needed school supplies and/or gift cards to purchase supplementary school supplies. By ensuring that students have the resources that they need to learn, students are placed on a better footing to succeed.
WINTER COATS In collaboration with Jewish Family Service, Jewish Seniors Agency and other local Jewish communal agencies, Living on the Edge identified clients in need of warm coats over the cold winter months. Through a partnership with Burlington Coat Factory, gift cards were provided to clients, so that they were not only able to stay warm, but they were also able to purchase winter attire suitable to their needs, ensuring the dignity of clients.
From Your Caring
Community
95 individuals from 32 households
received gift cards to Burlington Coat Factory
WHAT RECIPIENTS ARE SAYING: “My three children all needed winter coats but I could not figure out how to afford them. Your kindness made the purchase possible. My children were so delighted, they asked if they could sleep in their new coats!”
“Your kindness made the purchase possible.”
Client breakdown:
89% children 7% non-senior adults 4% seniors
!
SENIOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS KITS
120 local seniors received emergency kits
distributed in coordination with Jewish Family Service at meal sites and through Meals on Wheels
JFS
Individuals and families receive ongoing support in the following areas:
48% food assistance 39% housing assistance 7% medical services ADDITIONALLY critical short-term support was provided to clients to cover expenses related to automotive, legal and debt-alleviation
Recognizing that many seniors in our community live without nearby family support, and given the wideranging weather conditions that can wreak havoc across greater Rhode Island, Living on the Edge initiated the Senior Emergency Preparedness program. Local senior citizens along with middle school students from the Dwares JCC’s Eides Family J-Space After School Program assembled the kits for distribution to community members. Kits included supplies such as first-aid materials, non-perishable food, batteries, bottled water, and flashlights.
EMERGENCY CASH ASSISTANCE Through a key partnership with Jewish Family Service, the Emergency Cash Assistance program provides grants to individuals and families experiencing crisis. Structured as a wrap-around service, support is distributed through a case management system wherein clients are assessed for eligibility and grant assistance from other LOE, JFS and JSA programs which can be leveraged for maximum client impact.
JBOOST.ORG Designed to supplement local fundraising efforts, Jboost.org was launched as the crowdfunding website for greater Rhode Island’s Jewish community. Although currently on hiatus, Jboost.org was successful in funding multiple projects that filled gaps beyond the scope of traditional community priorities, including bolstering the efforts for a new handicap-accessible entrance at Congregation Beth Sholom.
12 projects developed to
strengthen the local community
$11,000
benefitting
raised by
169 generous funders
330+ individuals and 54+ families
The following projects originated on Jboost.org and now fall under the LOE umbrella:
LOE UMBRELLA
Back to School Supplies Winter Coats Senior Emergency Preparedness Kits
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT
12.5% 2015
15% 2016
low income wage earners and their families will now receive a larger state tax credit — directly assisting local Jewish families in need
$3,000 2015
The Jewish Alliance’s Community Relations Council (CRC) provides advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels. Together with our partner agencies, we work as proponents for poverty-alleviation and funding. This includes a number of issues related to poverty awareness in the Jewish community. Local advocacy efforts include: Increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Funding a School Meals Program whereby students at local day schools would receive subsidized nutritious kosher breakfasts, lunches and snacks. National advocacy efforts include: Increasing funding for local kosher food programs. Assisting seniors “age in-place,” by providing the elderly and their caregivers financial assistance — allowing them to choose between remaining in their homes or entering assisted living facilities.
I NC RE A S E D FE DE R AL F U N DI NG FOR LOC AL KOS H E R F OOD PROG R AM S
$0 2014
ADVOCACY
$25,000 2016
The following letter was re-printed with express permission from its author. The client’s name has been removed to protect the dignity and anonymity of the family.
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SUMMARY OF IMPACT The Jewish Alliance and our partner agencies have a history of providing assistance to those who have struggled financially within our community. This effort is more important than ever as we work together to address the financial distress currently affecting one in two Jewish households in greater Rhode Island. With a bold new initiative in place — support from generous donors, and partnerships with local agencies — we are able to provide vital, often life changing support to vulnerable individuals and families.
3,000
nearly individuals have been directly impacted since the launch of Living on the Edge
In addition, there have been more than 3,000+ unique visitors to AccessJewishRI.org.
The figures outlined in this report are as of June 30, 2016 | 24 Sivan 5776
Your donation to the Living on the Edge initiative helps the Jewish Alliance and our partner agencies take concrete steps to get members of our community back on the path to long-term stability. You can make a tax-deductible donation to LOE by visiting AccessJewishRI.org/donate or by calling 401.421.4111 ext. 165.
Access Jewish
HOW TO GIVE HELP
Rhode Island
takes a coordinated, dignified and fundamentally Jewish approach to helping those in need of assistance
COMMUNITY CONCIERGE TEAM: HOW TO GET HELP
AccessJewishRI warm-line: 401.421.4111 ext. 411
Know that if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need assistance, we’re here for you, too.
Wendy Joering, Director of Concierge Services wjoering@jewishallianceri.org
We encourage you to visit AccessJewishRI.org — your single point of contact to access the multitude of services, activities, and resources provided by the Jewish community as well as social, health, and government organizations in greater Rhode Island. If you prefer to speak to someone about the services available to you, call the AccessJewishRI warm-line at 401.421.4111 ext. 411.
401.421.4111 ext. 169 Robyn Goldstein, Community Navigator rgoldstein@jewishallianceri.org 401.421.4111 ext. 182 Jennifer Zwirn, Vocational Navigator jzwirn@jewishallianceri.org 401.421.4111 ext. 102
Living on the Edge services have impacted lives in the following cities and towns across greater Rhode Island:
The impact made by our community’s Living on the Edge initiative would not be possible without the support of generous donors throughout the greater Rhode Island Jewish community. On behalf of all the lives touched by LOE, we thank you.
Our most sincere thanks to the following people who spearheaded this impactful endeavor and helped bring Living on the Edge to fruition: Alan G. Hassenfeld Co-Chair Susan Leach DeBlasio Co-Chair Susan Bazar Robert Berkelhammer Barbara L. Feldstein Marc Gertsacov Janet Goldman David Isenberg
Attleboro, MA Barrington Bristol Central Falls Coventry Cranston Cumberland East Greenwich East Providence
Johnston Lincoln Middletown Narragansett Newport North Kingstown North Providence Pawtucket Portsmouth
Providence South Kingstown Warren Warwick West Greenwich West Warwick Westerly Woonsocket
The following statistics are based on Jewish Federations of North America’s 2016 National Community Census: 9,500 Jewish households in Rhode Island 18,400 Jewish people in Rhode Island 23,000 people living in Jewish households in Rhode Island
David Leach Vincent Mor Maxine Richman Richard Silverman Doug Simon Miriam Esther Weiner
Mitzi Berkelhammer Chair of the Board Sharon Gaines Immediate Past Chair Jeffrey K. Savit President & CEO Minna Ellison Senior Vice President
The design of this report was done in-house, and the cost of production and mailing were funded by anonymous donors.