Program will help thousands across metro Atlanta
ATLANTA (June 12, 2020) – Jewish Family & Career Servicesof Atlanta (JF&CS) and Jewish Interest Free Loan of Atlanta(JIFLA) are pleased to announce they have received $580,000 in grant funding from the Zalik Foundation to help support Jewish people in the Atlanta area maintain self-sufficiency and financial stability in uncertain times.
JIFLA, a non-profit organization that provides interest-free loan assistance in challenging financial times, teamed up with JF&CS’s emergency assistance program to help people in economic crisis help themselves.
“Both organizations are trusted experts in this space and have a pulse on what the community needs, especially during times of crisis,” said Helen Zalik, president of the Zalik Foundation. “This collaboration is linking people to services and resources when they need it most. It is an investment in our Jewish community’s future.”
The grant from the Zalik Foundation is the first of its kind to support this collaborative effort for emergency assistance. The idea for the partnership was conceived before the COVID-19 pandemic and will help provide emergency assistance both now and in the future.
“Based on current call volume, we could provide $160,000 in emergency financial assistance in 90 days,” said Terri Bonoff, CEO, JF&CS Atlanta. “When callers contact JF&CS, they get a case manager who offers career services, counseling and other resources. This grant will help support these increased costs, and our partnership with JIFLA will help us continue to identify gaps and support our community in the best possible way.”
According to Nancy Weissmann, Executive Director of JIFLA, the funds will allow the organization to better serve and support borrowers throughout the entire loan application and repayment process.
“This partnership with JF&CS allows us to not only provide financial assistance, but also to collaborate with a JF&CS case manager on social needs that may be even more immediate,” said Weissmann. “People are often reluctant to ask for a handout; but if they know it’s a loan with an expectation to pay it back, it can help them feel more in control, and they can accept a loan with dignity.”
For more information about JF&CS Emergency Assistance Program, contact 770-677-9389 or visit www.jfcsatl.org/relief. For information about JIFLA, call 470-268-5665, or visit JIFLA.org.
About JF&CS
Established in 1891, Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) offers programs and resources to help the Atlanta community. Guided by Jewish values, JF&CS serves thousands of individuals annually regardless of age, race, religion, national origin or ability to pay. We offer counseling and therapy for individuals, families and groups, older adult services, careers and support services, intellectual and developmental disabilities services, as well as free dental services at the Ben Massell Dental Clinic. For more information, please call 770.677.9300 or visit JFCSatl.org.
About JIFLA
The Jewish Interest Free Loan of Atlanta (JIFLA) helps Jewish community members overcome challenging financial periods and maintain financial stability by providing interest-free loans. For more information, please call 470.268.5665 or email freeloan@JIFLA.orgor visit JIFLA.org.