Community Service leads to
Advocacy.....
NCJW Helps Teens Aging out of Foster Care
Teens in foster care "age out" on their 18th birthday. They leave the foster home or residence where they have been living and must relocate to live independently. They need to rent an apartment, start shopping and cooking their meals, navigate transportation systems, and complete high school (which may not be accessible from their new apartment) - all this on a minimal monthly stipend from the state.
Working with Vita Nova, Inc., NCJW gives them a LIFT ON THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE by providing a suitcase, laundry hamper and under bed storage container filled with sheets, blanket, pillow, towels, dishes, cutlery, glasses, pots and pans, bowls, knives, can opener and many more items needed to begin living independently.
This project has been recognized by the Florida Department of Children and Families and has received their Partners For Progress Award for "making a difference in our community."
Judy Traub, Ruth Zalaznick, Susan Schwartz, Phyllis Millman, Linda Kaber and Helene Askinazi with the LIFT ON THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE items for teens aging out of foster care
Kids Community Closet
Kids Community Closet – stocks closets in local elementary schools where nearly all of the children qualify for free and/or reduced lunch (the federal measure of poverty) with clothing, footwear, school supplies and personal care items that school staff can distribute on an emergency basis. The closets are currently operating at the Highland and South Grade elementary schools in Lake Worth, FL and Grove Park Elementary School in Palm Beach Gardens. The project is currently serving a combined student population of over 2000 children. Contacts: Cathy Einhorn
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561-247-0221 and Judy Traub
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561-965-3582
Support Our Troops
Donated non-perishable foods and personal care items are sent to troops stationed in Afghanistan. Previous shipments have been sent to troops in Iraq. The most recent shipment was 85 cartons, which were sent to 7 different military units. Notes from the recipients indicate they were enthusiastically received. Contact Dianne Gorbaty This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 561-963-5282
LIFT (Living in Freedom Today)
NCJW provides suitcases filled with linens, towels, kitchen and bedroom furnishings to two distinct populations; women leaving the local shelter for battered women, and adolsescents aging out of foster care on their 18th birthday.
These furnishings help women setting up a new apartment, and the suitcase provides a container other than a garbage bag for the women and any children to carry their possessions. The suitcase provides a measure of dignity and the household articles a start on the road to an independent, violence free life. NCJW has worked with Harmony House, the battered women's shelter operated by the YWCA of the Palm Beach County for more than 6 years in this collaboration.
Working with VITA NOVA, NCJW is providing similar basic household furnishings to adolescents who age out of the foster care system on their 18th birthday, and move into a rental apartment. Generally the apartment is unfurnished and the teen has limited ability to purchase needed items to make the apartment habitable.
Contact: Sarajane Feinsliver This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 561-304-0034 for assisting victims of domestic violence.
Contact: Phyllis Millman This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 561-966-9903 or Linda Kaber This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 561-439-2460 for assisting adolescents aging out of foster care.
Bridging the Gap Special Assistance Fund
NCJW provides funding for licensing, certifications, document renewal and other interim expenses for women leaving the battered women's shelter and seeking to establish their own violence-free independent life. Contact: Joyce Kantrowitz This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 561-965-2803.
Matters of Choice
Trained volunteers present an interactive educational program to high school students to make young adults aware of the warning signs of dating abuse and to recognize healthy relationships. Contacts: Susan Schwartz
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561-966-2436 Diane Daum
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561-965-8022
The Guatemalan Maya Center Literacy Program
NCJW volunteers assist with the after school literacy program at Highland Elementary School and South Grade Elementary schools in Lake Worth, FL. Tutoring takes place between 3:00 and 4:00 P M at Highland School and 3:30-4:30 PM at South Grade Mondays through Fridays. Donating books and workbooks is another way to take part in this rewarding project. We are looking for more tutors, especially MALE tutors.mentors for the young boys in the program who need a "zaydie." Contact: Joyce Kantrowitz
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561-965-2803
Caridad Center
After school homework help is provided at Freedom Shores Elementary School by dedicated NCJW volunteer tutors for children who are referred by their teachers. Parents of these students may avail themselves of Caridad Center's medical, dental and vision services at its campus in Boynton Beach.
Achievement Centers for Children and Families
NCJW volunteers read, sing and celebrate birthdays with pre-schoolers once a month. Contact: Bernice Miller
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561-495-1433
Knit or Knot - Blanket project
NCJW volunteers knit or make fleece blankets which are donated to the children of women seeking safety at Harmony House, the local battered women's shelter. Blankets are also donated to the Palm Beach County Guardian ad Litem Program, which serves children who have been removed from their homes by the court because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Contact: Judy Traub
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561-965-3582
Blankets should be about 36" x 36". They can be hand knit using soft yarn (not wool) or made by cutting fleece fabric, adding 4" on each end for tassels. Do not put tassels on knit blankets.
Holiday Basket Program
NCJW volunteers provide needy congregants at two Boca Raton synagogues with food items for several holidays throughout the year. Contact: Ruth Zangwill
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561-498-1515
Project for Healthy Children
NCJW provides funding at the Alpert Jewish Family and Children's Service in West Palm Beach for psychological and psychiatric services for children in crisis.