In Judaism, we are commanded (mitzvah) to give to charity and support social justice (tzedakah). We should do this because we want to and not just because we have to.
Every non-profit in the country was tested by the losses and disruptions of COVID-19. Here in Atlanta, Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) kept true to its mission of improving the quality of life and building self-sufficiency for so many families. Before, during and after the pandemic, JF&CS offered critical services—in fact, the only thing that changed was how they provided services.
But let’s back it up a bit. About six years ago, our family was in dire need of finding reliable access to mental health services for one of our children. Bewildered by the system of waiting lists, providers that didn’t take any insurance and other obstacles, we found a counselor through our insurance at JF&CS Atlanta. There is no true way to measure the difference this connection had on both the life of our child and our family. However, the on-staff therapist there may have saved it.
Before finding this provider, we were only vaguely aware of the services that JF&CS offered the community. Many Jewish families are familiar with their popular ‘renter-pieces,’ a way to decorate for bar/bat mitzvahs and other events that support their Kosher Food Pantry through a donation. However, this is just one small component of a robust program offering.
At the heart of it all, JF&CS is focused on providing the programs and resources that transform lives. For more than 131 years, they’ve helped individuals and families of all faiths to live to their full potential. While they’re guided by Jewish values, they serve every member of the community regardless of race, nationality, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
Currently, JF&CS focuses on clinical services (therapies and specialized programs), older adult services, support for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, career services, emergency economic support for those in need, and the Ben Massell Dental Clinic in Midtown Atlanta, just around the corner from our office.
Of these, emergency financial services to those who are struggling the most to be able to pay their rent, utilities and basic needs like food and transportation remain the most critical on a day-to-day basis. Any person could find themselves in need of a helping hand due to a change in circumstance.
Providing emergency assistance to help those in crisis with dignity, respect and confidentiality is an ongoing need and one we aim to support through our TK Raise program. Your donation will make a difference to someone in need in a truly tangible and meaningful way. To learn more and to donate, please click here. We’d love for you to join in our raise efforts.