Our Impact

The COVID-19 virus has affected our family in ways we were not prepared for and did not expect. We are a family of four. Our 11-year-old daughter has ADHD and our 7-year-old son has asthma, a heart murmur and a history of seizures. We have a mortgage, a car loan, a personal loan, one credit card and past hospital bills from our last visit to the ER with our son. This is without counting the basic utilities (electricity, water, trash, cellphone, cable, etc.). We are usually able to cover these expenses with both of our incomes – until now.

My husband was laid off and our family receives health insurance coverage provided by his employer. Now with everything going on, we not only have to face the loss of his income but also the loss of the insurance coverage for our children.

Our son’s seizure medication costs $400 for two doses. Our biggest concern right now is not being able to have health insurance. While I am still working, my employer has informed me that our future is uncertain and we might be let go at some point.

I understand that this situation is affecting a lot of people, and I pray we will all come out of this united and stronger, but it is a scary time. The uncertainty for a parent to be able to keep their children safe is really heartbreaking. I hope that Goodman JFS is able to help us in any way.

“Sam” works as a cook at a small restaurant. He had been trying to keep working despite a recent heart attack, but the restaurant started to lose business weeks ago. This week, they were forced to close. His main concern is his rent. Although most landlords are being understanding during this crisis, he explained his situation is different. His landlady was recently diagnosed with cancer and she desperately needs the income. Goodman JFS has spoken to the landlady and both she and her tenant are greatly relieved that, due to the wonderful community support, GJFS will be able to pay the rent.

“Joe” is a restaurant worker who has been furloughed for at least the next 30 days. Earlier this year, Joe was hospitalized with some major health issues which impeded his ability to work, causing him to fall behind on his March rent. He was just catching up on medical bills and getting back on his feet when the Coronavirus pandemic hit in Florida, closing  the restaurant.  He is anxious to get back to work as soon as possible, even though he has days when he works with much discomfort. In  the meantime, he is in the difficult position of deciding to pay for medications or rent and he has turned to Goodman JFS for some assistance.

An 89 yr. old Russian Holocaust Survivor Program client with progressive Parkinson’s and multiple side effects as result, enjoys participating in the Active@Home Technology Program for Homebound Holocaust Survivors immensely. He can utilize the remote even with his physical difficulties and participates in the different programs. The client is very grateful for this technology that adds to his quality of life.

I must tell you this program far exceeded any and all of my expectations. I never imagined that all would go so well and my boy or young adult would be so happy. We are very pleased with the BOOST program. The roundtable was very informative. As a parent, I truly did appreciate meeting my Moms. Please feel free to use my contact information if need be. Thank you for all you and your team have done. May you continue to be blessed.

A 96 year old male Holocaust survivor from Poland who was severely persecuted by the Nazis in various ghettos and concentration camps before being liberated in 1945. He lost his wife, who was also a Holocaust survivor, less than a year ago.  In the last year, this client has declined greatly and is no longer mobile or able to swallow solid foods. Thanks to our Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program, and funds received from the Claims Conference, Goodman JFS has been providing the client with financial assistance to purchase pureed food so that he can eat. The client has been receiving the maximum home care assistance and some additional home care hours paid from donations. The home health aides assist the client with daily activities including bathing, dressing, light cleaning, feeding him and others. In addition, the client is on the monthly grocery card program and can purchase additional food. Without the assistance received from the Claims Conference through Goodman JFS, the client would not be able to live alone in his own home and would not be able to have his basic needs met. He is always positive and very grateful to GJFS for providing him with the assistance needed to live his final years with dignity.

Financial Assistance was recently contacted by a single Mom who called in tears. She has raised her little boy alone since he was 3 months old. She ran a successful business even working on her computer till 4:00am while her child slept. Now he is very ill and, at only four years old, has been diagnosed with arthritis and Crohn’s Disease. He is in constant pain and isolated. He asked his mommy if he would be able to play and run like the other kids when he got older. A drug he took suppressed his immune system, and he could not be around other children. So Mom cannot work during the day. There is hope, because he is now on another medication and hopefully, after one more infusion, he can return to school. Now however, her electricity was about to be disconnected and she was behind on her mortgage. Electricity is not a luxury. She could not cook the special food her child required: all of their food would spoil, his expensive medication would be ruined and there would be no air conditioning. We assisted them with the electricity and mortgage payment so they could remain safely in their home.

As an example of how Joshua’s Path/BOOST Disability Services helps families, I met an aging caregiver at one of our monthly seminars, who shared with me that she was widowed and had an adult daughter with a developmental disability. Having recently relocated from another state, her daughter was just sitting at home, with no friends, no job, no opportunities for socialization, and really no plan for the future. We connected the daughter with JCC’s Gib U Program for adults with special needs. She loved the classes and she even made several friends. We also helped the mother to find appropriate classes for seniors, where she too has met friends and stayed active. Shortly thereafter, we learned that the daughter dreamed of having a job. We were thrilled to offer her a spot in our inaugural BOOST session, where she made significant progress with her social skills, as well as many new friends. We are both excited and proud to report that she successfully graduated BOOST in September and is currently working with Best Buddies using her abilities, skills and interests to find her dream job. Within just a few months, this family’s life has been totally transformed through the support of Joshua’s Path, and we feel so honored and privileged to have been instrumental in their journey. Like many other families who we have supported through Joshua’s Path, they are no longer just surviving, but truly thriving.

“I’m a married mother of five children, ages 5-14. Our family recently moved to South Florida. Adjusting to life in Florida was exciting, yet financially we were getting crushed. I discovered The Dorit & Ben J. Genet Cupboard through the Posnack JCC, and I have been visiting for nearly six months. It has been a tremendous help for my family, providing us with staple foods that adds up for a family of seven.

Vicky and the staff are so professional, and I never felt embarrassed or ashamed to visit. Everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Each time I visit I am amazed by the generosity of this organization and its donors. I am used to helping others. Now I’m on the receiving end, and as much as I wish I weren’t, G!d willing one day I will be privileged to join this special organization as a donor.

It is said that the highest level of sharing is when neither the giver nor the receiver, know each other. What a blessing that the Jewish community such an organization full of unsung heroes, quietly doing their holy work of caring for others with no desire for accolades.”

On behalf of our students, thank you so much for delivering your session on Healthy Romantic Relationships at this year’s Broward County Public School’s Fall Gay Student Alliance Summit! Your session was a smash hit with students as demonstrated by the positive feedback on the surveys and the number who attended. Your session was the highest ranked breakout session with almost everyone who attended noting that it exceeded expectation or was great. This subject was something that students asked for and we’re so grateful that you two came together to make such a great presentation that they found useful and informative. This was our biggest and, some would say, best Summit yet and we wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without your help.