Jewish Family Services Orlando financial assistance and services.
Operating across the greater Orlando area and central Florida, Jewish Family Services can help struggling and low income families regardless of their religion, culture, or race. The non-profit charity offers a number of assistance programs, support services and financial aid to children and families. A focus is on offering free food, housing assistance including rent help, support for seniors, and counseling. Some of the main offerings from the agency are below.
One time emergency financial help from JFS of Orlando and United Way
Jewish Family Services of Orlando (JFS) emergency assistance can help families facing a short term crisis. Note any applicants must called the United Way 211 to apply. Many households in the region are living paycheck to paycheck. They may struggle to put food on the table or pay for their utility bills.
For those that qualify, the Emergency Services from JFS can offer them a onetime helping hand. There may be either no interest loans or grants offered in some cases. These funds can help pay the rent, a partial mortgage payment or go towards energy bills. The non-profit will also have assistance for food and related nutritional needs, as noted below.
Any financial aid for housing or paying electricity bills will require the family to be screened for eligibility by the United Way. So dial 211. If found qualified, an appointment will be set up. After all that has been done may JFS Orlando assist. Or search for, and find other ways to get help paying electric bills.
The Pearlman Pantry from JFS Orlando provides low income and needy families with free emergency groceries or food assistance. This is for hungry residents of Central Florida counties such as Orange, Osceola, and Lake. For those clients that qualify, they can receive a free box food at most once every four months. So call upon the pantry only when truly needed. Appointments are needed. The phone number to apply or for more information is 407-644-7593.
Seniors from counties including Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole can access the RIDE (Reliable Independent Drivers for the Elderly) Program. The Orlando based JFS provides low cost, roundtrip travel to medical appointments for disabled adults or elderly. In some cases this is offered for free. It increases independence, improves access to healthcare for program participants, and promotes overall well-being. Dial 407-644-7593 for details or a schedule. The Jewish service is only for Orange and Seminole Counties.
Employment, financial education, budgeting and long term social services
Case management - Family Stabilization is a multi, six month program that is preventative and can help families gain self-sufficiency. Low income or other participants can work with a case manager to help them gain tools and the critical skills to resolve crises. The goal is to assist them with avoiding future hardships or emergencies while achieving long term stability. Part of this can include addressing short term needs, such as accessible housing, medical care, or loans for paying for everyday living needs.
A key objective of the Family Stabilization Program is to improve money management skills. Other more softer services will address mental stress, overall family functioning, and to help clients maintain or improve employability in the central Florida region. As noted, Jewish Family Services of Orlando will also help with housing. Clients will be able to access a wide variety of supportive services, and this is all offered for free.
The JFS of Orlando Center for Counseling, Growth and Development address major life problems. It is for couples, individuals, families, kids and others. Licensed therapists and medical professionals help clients cope with major life problems in an effective and timely manner. They will assess problems, provide supportive and conflict-resolving counseling and guide people through major life transitions. There will be costs involved (on a sliding fee scale) but health insurance is accepted as well.
Investing is also covered by Jewish Family Services in Orlando. They have free workshops and classes to help people start to save for the future, even low income families or those living paycheck to paycheck. As even saving a little money can lead to future wealth, and learn more on investing when you have a low income.
Other resources include the Chaplaincy. This will help with burial, end of life or memorial services of non-affiliated Jews in Orlando Florida. This also includes visits, such as hospital, hospice or home visits. Or contact the non-profit for information on the Women’s Forum, which is an advocacy and self-development program for women of all ages.
The Volunteer Services Program allows members of the community to give back to the region. They are able to do this through participating in a wide variety of volunteer opportunities at JFS Orlando. Some ways to give back include distributing food through the community food pantry, delivering hot meals to homebound seniors during the holidays, conducting food drives to collect groceries and more, and even activities such as completing office work.
How to apply for Central Florida Jewish Family Services
Assisting the less fortunate and needy in the region is the focus of JFS Orlando. For more information on their assistance programs or how they can help during a crisis, the main office is at The George Wolly Center, 2100 Lee Road, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Or dial 407-644-7593.
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