What Do We Do?
Emergency Aid: $39,383
During the fiscal year that ended April 30, 2011, FHBS assisted 76 unduplicated clients, 32 of whom were assisted in prior years. Ninety-two grants were issued; the average grant was $428. Shelter and medical needs of all kinds – co-pays, insurance, transportation, supplies, equipment – continued to be the most often requested grants. Jewish Family & Children’s Service continued to be our top, most trusted referral source. Fourteen women received dental health services costing a total of $5,580. The second gift from the Gloria Moldoff Memorial Endowment Fund covered $4,250 of their treatment.
Aviva is a 29-year-old woman who left an abusive relationship and struggles to support her two daughters. Her annual income for 2010 was less than $15,000. She works three-quarter time, which allows her to pick up the children after school and take them to therapy. Both suffer from the trauma that pervaded the household when their parents lived together. While ordered by the court to pay child support, the father rarely does. Recently, Aviva had emergency surgery, missed work for a month and suffered a very painful recovery. During that time, she feared that she would lose her job and could not even think about what she would do if this happened. When she allowed herself to think about it, she got so depressed that she could not function. In addition to a monthly stipend of $150, FHBS paid Aviva’s rent for one month and helped with camp tuition.
Monthly Stipends: $21,150
Thirteen women were assisted with grants between $50-$175 per month. Financial updates are required of all stipend recipients midway through the funding cycle. Additionally, each woman received a $50 gift card from the supermarket of her choice to help with the cost of Passover food. According to the Federal Poverty Guidelines, five of these women live at or below 100% of the poverty level; six live between 101% and 250%. Two households have school age children.
Senior Supports/Emergency Response Systems: $17,700
Eighty-three frail, elderly women gained peace of mind with the addition of a personal emergency response system to their telephone equipment, enabling them to remain safely in their own homes. Twenty-two different women put in 33 calls for assistance. When a woman pushes her call button, FHBS is notified by fax and, in turn, alerts the client’s care manager. The cost per client per year is $300. Funding from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia provided the vast majority of the funding for this program over the 12-month period. As of May 1, there were seven women on the waiting list.
Unsolicited comment from a new ERS client, age 78:
You know, I have had 12 fractures because of my osteoporosis. I am so happy to have this Lifeline unit!
Senior Supports/Stair Glides: $1,710
Two clients continued from the prior fiscal year. One also has an emergency response system and the other receives quarterly assistance with medical supplies. Rental rates vary depending on the kind of equipment, configuration of the house and date of installation.
Camp Scholarships: $17,327
FHBS enabled 37 children to attend 19 different day and overnight camps. This program was funded by Camp Council, The Good People Fund and The Susquehanna Foundation.
