JFS Announces BOND Grant for Employment Services Program
JFS has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Branching Out in New Directions (BOND) to benefit the Employment Services program.
“With our Jewish roots, going back to being a Brandeis chapter, we are a Twin Cities based organization wanting to support educational opportunities for people in need,” said Suzanne Weinstein, BOND Scholarship Committee Chair. “JFS fulfills our mission of strengthening individuals and families through education.”
The grant will allow JFS to continue to work with people in two ways. First, by helping them find immediate employment and address their immediate needs, they can live independently and provide for their families. After they become stable and start thinking of career moves, which can take months or years, JFS clients require certification or job training to improve their earning potential. JFS clients tend to present with multiple barriers that make securing employment challenging. In many cases, they need training, education, emergency assistance and transportation to be successful.
JFS serves a wide spectrum of individuals of varying ages, backgrounds, nationalities and employment history. Many have come to JFS to enhance their employment options through training programs that will enable them to become certified in an occupation that will support their needs. It is this area, providing training, where BOND funding has been invaluable.
During 2020, JFS served 27 people who were searching for employment. All had been laid off because of COVID-19 business closures, but most were paying their bills thanks to the enhanced unemployment benefits. Seven of these clients were placed in employment during 2020. “For 2021, we expanded the employment program from a half time to a full-time employment counselor,” said COO Tim Gothmann. “JFS is committed to finding additional funding to further expand the program to meet our community need.”
Through education, service and philanthropy, BOND, a nonprofit organization, offers its members opportunities for intellectual pursuits, community service, social interaction and philanthropy. Contact Suzanne at (612) 306-7370 for more information regarding BOND.
For more information about JFS employment services, contact Nancy Cohen, Employment Specialist, (651) 329-1092, ncohen@jfssp.org.