$18m funding boost for communal organisations
'JCA has the strength to ensure all our organisations can continue to focus on the needs of the community and provide the support that is needed'.
SYDNEY’S JCA has tonight (Sunday) announced it will provide up to $18 million to its member organisations to ensure they can continue to provide vital services to the community in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The funding package – which will utilise a significant portion of reserves built up over the past 50 years, in combination with some foundation and major donor gifts – includes a $1 million emergency financial relief fund unveiled last week by JCA and JewishCare.
In a statement, JCA said the COVID-19 pandemic had begun to inflict “significant hardship across our community, impacting on the health, financial and emotional wellbeing of many families”.
“In difficult times, our vibrant network of organisations has always risen to the challenge and provided care and support to those who need it most,” JCA said, adding it will ensure they can provide services to all those in need.
Citing areas of increased need as a result of the pandemic, JCA said there was a greater demand for COA’s Kosher Meals on Wheels food delivery – “especially for the vulnerable and aged of our community who should no longer leave their homes. And increased levels of care and monitoring now required to keep our aged-care residents safe”.
In addition to the need for increased counselling and mental health support for isolated individuals and families, and those more directly impacted by COVID-19, JCA said it was important to ensure there was sufficient emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence “as, sadly, difficult and stressful times lead to increases in domestic violence”.
Meanwhile, increased financial assistance will also be required for those who have lost their jobs, been stood down or have had to close their business, as well as for Jewish day schools to “avoid having parents withdraw their children as a result of a significant change in circumstances brought about by COVID-19”.
“Crisis funding needs to be available to support a communal medical response plan should public hospitals and allied health services become overwhelmed,” the statement added.
The funding is aimed to “ensure all our organisations emerge from this norm-breaking crisis having played their part to support our community, and on a sustainable basis”.
“JCA has the strength to ensure all our organisations can continue to focus on the needs of the community and provide the support that is needed,” president Stephen Chipkin said.
“JCA stands here, strong and proud, ready to ensure continuity and wellbeing of the community at this critical time.”
For more information, visit www.jca.org.au/help.
Jewish Emergency Management Plan hotline: 1300 JEMP AU (1300 536 728).
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