Help for the Vulnerable
Year after year, UJA provides a much needed safety net for thousands of our community's most vulnerable citizens by lifting them from the challenging circumstances they face, especially during these difficult economic times. Together with UJA's network of agents, including those listed below, we are responding to a dramatic rise in the number of vulnerable people within our community. Demand for service is escalating and the challenges and problems faced by many in the Jewish community are becoming increasingly complex. For example, consider the following:
- Employment: Parnossah WorksCanada (PWC), which assists Jewish job-seekers in Toronto, is dealing with skyrocketing demand. There are currently over 500 clients on the waiting list for employment services.
- Women/Children Abuse: Jewish Family & Child (JF&CS) is reporting a 9% increase in child abuse allegations from January-April 2009 compared to the same period last year. Increasingly, both types of abuse are being attributed to economic crisis and insecurity.
- Intake & Service Delivery: Since the beginning of 2009 there has been a 55% increase in the total number of calls made to Jewish Family & Child (JF&CS) compared to the same period last year.
- Addiction: The economic downturn has triggered such a heightened sense of insecurity and anxiety that more people are turning to drugs, alcohol and gambling to cope. From 2007 to 2009, the number of Jewish clients seeking assistance at JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependent Persons & Significant Others) has doubled from 200 to 400 per week.