(Courtesy of JFGMW) Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ is proud to announce that it has been awarded a grant of $400,000 over two years (assuming the availability of federal funds) from Jewish Federations of North America’s Center on Holocaust Survivor Care and Institute on Aging and Trauma to support the work of local agencies that deliver social services to Holocaust survivors, diverse older adults with a history of trauma and their family caregivers. Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ is among eight Jewish Federations, along with the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA), that were awarded grants totaling $5.4 million over two years.
“We are honored and truly appreciative to have received this grant,” commented Dov Ben-Shimon, executive vice president/CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. “As we continue to learn more about the needs of aging Holocaust survivors and of other cohorts of older adults with a history of trauma, this grant brings critical funding to our community. It also enables us to share best practices and cutting-edge knowledge by being a part of a national cohort. Here at home, we know that by convening professionals and lay people around the Federation table—even when that table is a virtual table—we are able to act in really innovative and effective ways to address pressing needs.”
“Caring for our survivors is not only a privilege but a duty and is a core value and deep commitment of our Jewish Federations,” said Jewish Federations of North America board chair Julie Platt. “It is thanks to the generosity of so many in our communities, together with our government partners, that we are able to provide our survivors with these critical services to help them live in comfort and dignity.”
This grant, which is part of the Center’s Expanded Critical Supports Program, will support the work of local agencies to develop person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) programs. Spearheaded by the Center, PCTI care promotes trust, dignity, strength and empowerment of all individuals by incorporating knowledge about trauma into agency programs, policies and procedures. Through this program, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ will convene a local and diverse Leadership Council of aging services providers and others to assess, prioritize and fund the critical support needs of Holocaust survivors, older adults with a history of trauma and their family caregivers.
Through its partners, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ (JFS MW) and Jewish Family Service of Central NJ (JFS CNJ), and its chaplaincy department, Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ anticipates utilizing the grant funding to support the following:
A full-time, Russian-speaking social worker at JFS MW to serve Holocaust survivors from the Former Soviet Union
Case management and related services for Holocaust survivors at JFS CNJ
Case management services for older adults in South Orange/Maplewood (SOMA)
Project CEASSE (Combatting Elder Abuse through Supportive Services & Education) at JFS CNJ
Emergency financial assistance for SOMA and Project CEASSE clients
Case management services for foreign-born, older adults at JFS CNJ
Spiritual care for Holocaust survivors and their children (2Gs) by Federation’s chaplaincy department
Outreach to and case management services for foreign-born, older adults through a newly funded program at JFS CNJ.
“Holocaust survivors are our teachers and our heroes,” added Shelley Rood Wernick, granddaughter of Holocaust survivors and managing director of the Center on Holocaust Survivor Care and Institute on Aging and Trauma at Jewish Federations of North America. “Widespread trauma means we need a better approach to care, and with these grants, Jewish Federations are revolutionizing aging services.”
Funds are provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living and dedicated philanthropists.
To learn more about how Jewish Federations advance care for Holocaust survivors and other older adults, visit www.holocaustsurvivorcare.org.
