Tikkun Olam: Repair of the World

Tikkun Olam: Repair of the World

“Tikkun Olam: Repair of the World!” This term is understood in modern America as the idea that Jews are called upon to make the world more just, peaceful, tolerant, and equal, through acts of charity, kindness, and political action. Repairing the world includes improving the human condition in any way, but especially correcting injustice against the MOST VULNERABLE through social action and social justice.

The Federation and our agencies foster meaningful connections with the Jewish and broader Youngstown community, helping to reach thousands of people, both young and elderly, including those who are most vulnerable, those with disabilities, low income, and others who are at risk with services that are critical to their everyday survival. Through funding from the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and services and programs provided by Heritage Manor, Jewish Family & Community Services, and the Jewish Community Center, we work to “Repair the World” and our regional Jewish community.

The Thomases Family Endowment provides funding for organizations serving the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys. In the last round of funding for 2022, more than $171,012.99 was granted to 14 organizations, including the Second Harvest Foodbank, The English Center, Golden String-Gabba Camp, Help Network of Northeast Ohio, SMARTS, and United Way of the Mahoning Valley Success After 6. Each of these works to help members of the community in different ways. Second Harvest provides food in three counties: Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull. The English Center provides quality, free English Language classes to adults seeking to learn English as an additional language. Golden String-Gabba Camp promotes the benefits of and allows access to green space for developmentally disabled adults, which has been proven to promote mental and physical health. Help Network of Northeast Ohio improves lives by providing immediate comprehensive services to support and connect people with community resources. SMARTS Community Art School provides access and early training in the arts for our region’s PreK-12 youth with a focus on underserved populations. United Way of the Mahoning Valley Success After 6 provides wrap-around services to help break down barriers many of the students and their families face on a daily basis.

Heritage Manor is available to those seniors on Medicaid, which provides health coverage to millions of Americans, including eligible low-income adults, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. Adult Day is a Passport provider, which helps eligible Ohioans receive long-term services and support to stay in their homes and communities. Adult Day also, through its affiliation with Heritage Manor, gives all clients access to RN oversight to help monitor their health.

The Jewish Community Center provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to Early Learning Center and Camp JCC families, giving them access to quality learning and summer day camp opportunities. The JCC strives to be a place of inclusion for all. Fully inclusive programs and partnerships have been created with that in mind. Wellness/Aquatics programs include Pals +, for those with developmental disabilities; Water Women, free swim lessons for women; Swim Safe 500, free swim lessons for kids; and Down with Wellness, for individuals with Down Syndrome 14+ and their families to learn fitness fundamentals. JCC also partners with Potential Development to offer fitness and swim for school-age children with autism. Arts and Culture programs include Sensory Friendly Sundays where participants explore the world of visual arts and a monthly art project in a calm and soothing environment, and a partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to offer free expressive arts workshops on mental health wellness and healing.

Jewish Family & Community Services and JCC’s highly successful mobile meals program has grown over the past couple of years. Grant funding allowed them to serve more than 225,000 meals during the pandemic and beyond. More grant funding is being used for further expansion, including free meal giveaways to Youngstown residents who meet certain eligibility requirements. A new private pay option is enabling access for even more individuals to join, along with us becoming a SNAP vendor. All meals are made with food purchased from local vendors and prepared fresh daily at the JCC.

Through Jewish Family & Community Services’ Healing Hand Fund, they are able to offer financial assistance for basic needs, such as gas, utilities, bills, and food, to families and individuals in need. The JFCS guardianship program provides help for at risk individuals who can’t advocate and make decisions for themselves. And, a sliding scale fee for counseling enables those without insurance to have access to mental health assistance.

In summary, the Federation continues to serve and expand its outreach to those locally who are most needy, fulfilling our commitment to Tikkun Olam: Repair the World.

On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, best wishes for a Happy Hanukkah and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Andy
Andrew Lipkin, Federation CEO