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Fogelson Family Foundation & JFS Desert Launch Family Assistance Program to Serve the Most Vulnerable and Hard Hit Families in the Valley

In response to a significant need in the Coachella Valley, the Fogelson Family Foundation and Jewish Family Service of the Desert are working collaboratively and have launched the Family Assistance Program (FAP) for our local residents who have been hurt economically by the pandemic. FAP helps households of 3 or more whose income has been detrimentally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. By stepping up, your tax-deductible donation to the Family Assistance Program will help in achieving our 2021 goal of raising $500,000 to help the most vulnerable and hard hit Coachella Valley families.

The need is great. It is estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the incomes of approximately 50% of households here in the Coachella Valley, and many of these families consist of front-line workers who literally risk their lives each and every day to provide services allowing all of us to continue to live and enjoy our desert lifestyles.

FAP offers qualifying households a lifeline granting qualified residents between $500-$1000 (depending on the size of the household) to be used on crucial necessities such as food and medication, overdue rent and utilities, and minor home repairs. This leads to a more safe and stable environment enabling them to stay in their homes, which is always one of JFS Desert’s ultimate goals.

“Many of us are fortunate to live part or full-time in this wonderful desert. We sometimes forget that the various services provided to us are as a result of having a large workforce at or near the poverty line, doing jobs we often take for granted. Many of our front line workers are in desperate need of assistance, as they don’t have the money for the basics required to take care of their families. The Federal Government has not been able to provide them with any meaningful help,” Jerry Fogelson, Chair, Fogelson Family Foundation.

Jerry goes on to say, “It is up to us to help the families most vulnerable and in need. My family foundation has stepped up in a substantial way because we know lives are at stake. Plus, we want to help as many people as possible who have continued to work hard on the frontline, to maintain our incredible lifestyles here in the desert. I am asking each and every one of you to please make a tax-deductible gift to FAP.”

FAP applications are submitted to the JFS Case Management Department for processing.
JFS case managers prepare a request for support which includes a description of family demographics, financial need, household income and expenses, and any additional information considered necessary.
Clients agree to provide requested supporting financial documentation and to facilitate the gathering of needed W9 forms from landlords, vendors, or any other lean holder.
Accounts are created for awarded families then clients will be sent a quick, standardized email with an account balance.
JFS submits payments directly to service providers.

Qualifying Households:

Case Managers will determine that there are at least 3 full-time residents in the home.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, families have to have had; incomes reduced or eliminated and are unable to pay for rent, utilities (electricity, gas, and water), food, and/or prescription medications.
Their combined family income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Line (HHS FPL Guidelines)
For a household of four (4), income would need to be at or below $39,750. No fewer than four (4) people will live full-time in the household.
Case Managers are given the flexibility to assign individuals to use non-FAP funding from the variety of options available through JFS. Families of four (4) and above will first be considered for FAP funding.

“Families often find themselves vulnerable, living paycheck-to-paycheck and not knowing where to turn for assistance when their situation turns serious. Lost jobs, furloughed positions or reduced hour circumstances continue to plague these heroes. Often times, families are scared, desperate, and running out of options. Stories of promised government support lead to false hope, while bills and notices pile up. Anxiety is mounting, and youth suicide in the country has doubled since the onset of the pandemic. We are proud to be able to spearhead and be the facilitators for FAP, which will help households stave off urgent and looming financial shortfalls for many needs,” said Kraig Johnson, Executive Director, JFS Desert.

The Family Assistance Program is intended to be a lifeline program supporting front line workers and their families in the Coachella Valley. By supporting this program and its collaboration with the Fogelson Family Foundation, JFS can further its reach to support the families of the Coachella Valley helping to alleviate the unexpected realities of financial hardship.

Support the Family Assistance Program with your tax-deductible donations, in which every dollar donated goes to help qualifying households in need.

For more information call JFS Desert at 760-325-4088 ext. 107 or by
E-mail to: FAP@jfsdesert.org. YOUR support will change lives forever!

About Jewish Family Service of the Desert
JFS is a non-sectarian agency founded on the Jewish principle of “Healing the World” (Tikkun Olam), and we currently offer that support through Telecare mental health counseling, augmented case management that includes one of the only sources of emergency financial assistance in the Valley, well-check phone calls to isolated clients, and special programming for our local Holocaust survivors. For nearly 40 years, JFS has offered life-sustaining support. We are passionate about our Coachella Valley, and we now offer nearly 16,000 annual services to over 3200 clients. If it touches the heart of the Valley, it touches the heart of JFS! Become a member of the JFS family by volunteering or donating. For more information visit www.JFSDesert.org.

About Fogelson Family Foundation
The Fogelson Family Foundation was started by Jerry Fogelson more than 40 years ago. The Foundation concentrates on helping organizations that do not attract large dollar gifts. The 2 main objectives of the Fogelson Family Foundation are education and health. The Foundation is currently active with several organizations in the Desert and has made FAP its highest priority and its largest single contribution.

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