Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern NJ announced it was selected to receive a grant from the Jewish Federations of North America through the Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care. When combined with matching funds, this award will enable $92,400 in new programming for survivors.

The Jewish Federations of North America launched the Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care in the Fall of 2015, following an award from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for up to $12 million over five years to advance innovations in Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) services for Holocaust Survivors in the United States. PCTI care is a holistic approach to service provision that promotes the dignity, strength and empowerment of trauma victims by incorporating knowledge about the role of trauma in victims’ lives into agency programs, policies and procedures.

Of the more than 100,000 Holocaust survivors in the United States, nearly one quarter are aged 85 or older, and one in four lives in poverty. Many live alone and are at risk for social isolation, depression and other physical and mental health conditions stemming from periods of starvation, disease and torture.

In addition to the current programming for Holocaust survivors at JFCS, including a monthly luncheon and social function, kosher meals-on-wheels, individual and group therapy and care management, these additional funds will help secure in-home care for Holocaust survivors in our community.

“We are grateful to JFNA for their vision and support in funding these services,” says Susan Greenbaum, Chief Executive Officer of JFCSNNJ. “Although the number of survivors worldwide dwindles each year, JFCS has seen a growth in the number of Holocaust survivors in our client base. It is not only our duty and mission, but our privilege to be able to care for this group of individuals with such a traumatic shared history.”

“Meeting the needs of Holocaust survivors is a critical mission, and we are excited to partner with the federal government for the second year of this project, which will help us improve the lives of this fragile community,” said Mark Wilf, Chair of the JFNA Fund for Holocaust Survivors.

The Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care promotes these innovative service delivery models together with the expertise of partner organizations including the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies and the Claims Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. The grant money is a combination of federal dollars and philanthropic dollars raised by Jewish Federations as part of JFNA’s National Holocaust Survivor Initiative, which seeks to raise $45 million to support the survivor community.