BY TERRI BONOFF, CEO

JF&CS is extremely grateful for the COVID-19 Emergency Funds provided by Federation to our agency for emergency financial assistance, the Kosher Food Pantry, and mental health services. This crisis has exponentially increased the demand for JF&CS services. We have seen a 300% increase from last year for requests for financial assistance and are distributing 10x the amount of food to families in need. Our demand for telehealth counseling services has increased significantly as well.

The COVID-Response funds are allowing us to deploy our staff and resources to meet these needs. We have been able to provide new support groups free of charge to help many populations adjust to the “new normal” and provide support for many people suffering from social isolation. In addition, we are providing support for synagogues and temples to assist their congregations with mental health needs.

We are providing telephone reassurance, and food delivery, in partnership with AgeWell Atlanta, and virtual and in-person support to our clients with disabilities. Moving forward, we expect greater needs in career services to confront the massive amount of job loss, as well as a continuing increase in mental health needs in our community to help families heal from the loss of loved ones due to this horrible disease. In addition, we know the demand for food and emergency financial assistance will also continue to increase in the coming months due to this crisis. We are very grateful for the outpouring of support from our Atlanta Jewish community, and the funds granted to us by the Jewish Federation to help meet the changing needs in Atlanta.

Reprinted from Jewish Federation's Federation Five e-Newsletter - April 21, 2020