Only a few months old, the MetroWest HELPS supplemental funding initiative has already begun to make inroads, reducing the impact of the ongoing difficult economic situation on MetroWest Jewish individuals and families.

MetroWest HELPS is a two-pronged approach to the economic crisis that so many people in MetroWest have to deal with. UJC is getting out the message to the community that emergency help is available for anyone suffering from job loss, financial distress, or the emotional impact that affects the entire family as a result of dire financial challenges. Every effort possible is being made to be sure every member of the community knows that support is available to them.

In addition, as part of the 2009 UJA Annual Campaign, supplemental funding is being sought to help our partner agencies handle the increased needs they are facing and make certain that MetroWest community members in financial distress receive the vocational, emotional and emergency financial support they require.

A significant amount of funding has been assembled for MetroWest HELPS over just the last few months. To date, more than $300,000 has been made available. The funding has come from UJC funds, individual MetroWest donors, the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest NJ (the planned giving and endowment arm of UJC MetroWest), and in a grant from the Grotta Foundation for Senior Care.

The principal UJC partner agencies dealing with the needs created by the economic downturn are Jewish Family Service (JFS) of MetroWest and Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) of MetroWest. Between them, they offer the services and programs most urgently needed in the economic situation we are facing: Financial Management Counseling, Job Skills Training, Job Placement services, and Emotional Support for those suffering anxiety over a range of situations that affect financial security, including job loss, small business closure, vanished income from retirement funds, and personal bankruptcy.

The increase in the demand for their services has been significant.

At the beginning of the economic crisis, from July to September of 2008, the agencies saw an overall increase of 30% in their caseloads, as compared to the same period the previous year.

For some services, the increase in demand has been much greater. For example, from July to November 2008, JFS saw an increase of 88% in mental health services provided to MetroWest residents. And during those same months in 2008, four out of every 10 calls to JFS were regarding financial distress, compared to only two out of every 10 calls the year before.

With the aid of MetroWest HELPS, both agencies have been able to respond to the crisis in ways that would have been difficult for them without emergency assistance.

At JVS, MetroWest HELPS funding has made it possible to add staff to handle the increased demand for services. The agency has been able to bring in additional staff for both Career Placement Counseling and Job Placement services. JVS has also been able to respond to requests for service on a more timely basis than before, and to increase the number of hours services are available. All new clients are now able to attend two placement workshops before being assigned to a placement counselor. Prior to the economic crisis, JVS was able to offer one new workshop every second or third week, and, as service demand increased, a waiting list developed. With the MetroWest HELPS funding, JVS now offers four workshops a month and has eliminated its waiting list.

The demand being met is easy to see. On December 3, a community-wide employment workshop drew 71 people, the largest audience for a workshop program since the aftermath of 9/11. On December 11, an ongoing Job Seekers support group had 18 participants, up from an average attendance of 5 to 8.

At JFS, there are a growing number of clients whose ability to pay for mental health services is now declining rapidly. This leaves the agency with the increased financial burden of providing treatment. From July 1 to December 31, 2008, costs jumped by 55% as compared to the same period in 2007. And, there is expected to be even more increases by the end of the fiscal year in June.

Many of the agency’s clients no longer have health insurance that covers the cost of the service, and they are unable to pay the fees out of pocket. MetroWest HELPS is subsidizing these clients, who pay what they can afford for counseling, and is supporting the increase in intake calls the agency is experiencing. Much of the increase is a result of MetroWest HELPS advertising and outreach to rabbis and day schools to let families know that the MetroWest community is prepared to assist them.

These figures tell only part of the story, and the increase in case loads is very likely to continue. Your additional support is needed urgently; it is needed now. So many more people are depending on you, to help them get back on their feet, to help make their lives livable again. To learn more, visit: www.ujcnj.org/help.