FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2020
8210 Creedmoor Road, Suite 104
Raleigh, NC 27613
919-676-2200
Contact: Limor Schwartz, 919-676-2200 ext 120.
Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services Receives Funds for Groundbreaking Holocaust Survivor Care
International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz is January 27, 2020
Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services, a beneficiary agency of The Raleigh-Cary Jewish Federation, is proud to announce it will receive a grant from The Jewish Federations of North America’s (JFNA) Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care. When combined with matching funds, this award will enable $60,000 in new programming for survivors.
The Kesher Program will utilize creative arts therapies to improve the mental health of Holocaust survivors, reduce physical and social isolation and to increase accessibility to basic needs, social services and community life. Through drama and other creative arts survivors will process their experiences and increase resiliency through PCTI-based perspectives, ending with a presentation to family and/or the community. Kesher will also incorporate telephone outreach, transportation services, meals and access to other JFS services to create a comprehensive community of care and provide a safe environment, connection the community, and a creative arena to express and share stories.
“We are honored to to provide programming for Holocaust survivors in the Wake County area. Jewish Family Services is dedicated to promoting the well-being of Holocaust survivors and feel obligated to ensure that all survivors maintain the highest level of independence and that they be allowed to age with dignity. The Kesher program will ensure that all survivors will have a safe space to share their story and a meaningful connection to the community” said Limor Schwartz, Director of Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services.
“Antisemitism has shaken our community and Holocaust survivors are deeply affected,” said Mark Wilf, chair of JFNA’s Board of Trustees and past chair of JFNA’s National Holocaust Survivor Initiative. “We are grateful for the Federal government’s commitment to help survivors and ensure that this vulnerable group has additional support.”
Of the estimated 80,000 Holocaust survivors in the United States, approximately one in three live 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.
This grant is part of The Jewish Federations of North America’s partnership with the Federal government to improve lives for Holocaust survivors, and comes as the world observes the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. This year, JFNA received $5 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living—twice the amount since when the program launched—illustrating Congress’ recognition of the value of PCTI services to Holocaust survivors. 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.
The Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care promotes excellence in service delivery together with the expertise of partner organizations including the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. The grants awarded combine federal and philanthropic funds raised by JFNA's National Holocaust Survivor Initiative.
This program is made possible by federal funds from a grant through The JFNA Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care. Approximately 61% of the project, or $36,600, comes from federal sources. Approximately 39% or $23,400 comes from non-federal sources.
About Jewish Family Services:
Guided by the wisdom and values of Jewish Tradition, Raleigh-Cary Jewish Family Services offers compassionate and affordable social services and programs to empower families and individuals of all ages to maximize the quality of their lives and reach their full potential with dignity, hope, and strength. At Raleigh-Cary JFS, our vision is to build a collaborative community that enriches and supports the lives of individuals and families, and empowers them to care for themselves and each other.
