J-HELP works with residents of Cook County to connect them with services and resources that will help them achieve their goals. This service is made up of several charities and social service groups, including Jewish Child & Family Services, EZRA Multi-Service Center, Jewish Vocational Service, CJE SeniorLife, JCC, Maot Chitim, Touhy Health Center, and The ARK.
A main priority is providing referrals. Other potential resources that may be offered by the non-profit organization include emergency financial assistance. There may be money available for things like past due rent, prescription medications, or food. In some cases, local agencies will also help pay for income qualified applicants’ employment related expenses.
There is food available from a pantry as well as holiday programs. The goal is to help feed low income families living in or near Chicago, Illinois. The program needs volunteers to keep running. The staff from J-HELP rely on the donations from the public, including large companies such as Kroger or Wal-Mart, as well as the Jewish community, to provide food for those who are hungry in the community. There are a lot of people who are looking for help who have never done this before. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to lose their jobs or have their salaries reduced. This can make it difficult to afford basic necessities like food and shelter.
Families in the center will be able to shop at the pantry. This means that they will choose only what they need. Staff can provide pre-bagged foods to clients who are unable to cook for themselves. The food will be easy to cook and the groceries will be free for families who need food. If someone can’t make it to a food center, volunteers from the Jewish community will deliver food to them.
The holiday distribution is the other service. This happens during Thanksgiving, Hannukah and Christmas. J-HELP is a volunteer organization that helps spread holiday cheer to low-income residents, seniors, and the homebound. They do this by delivering gifts and food, and by providing other assistance as needed. There are resources such as free holiday food baskets, Toys and Coats for Head Start children, and a Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner.
The state of Illinois has housing services available through partnerships with the Illinois Continuum of Care and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This includes many different aspects of eliminating homelessness in the Cook County region. There is help available for those in need, either through long-term plans or community-based assistance. This help is available to low income and homeless persons. This organization offers short-term grants to help people with their bills or rent, as well as advice to help them become as self-sufficient as possible.
Emergency financial assistance provides people with immediate resources as a result of federal funds from the Continuum of Care or other programs. This depends on how much money is available. Grants for rent or housing are given out to people on a first come first serve basis.
The staff will interview the client when they apply. They will need to see your income, expenses, and identification. This means that they will look at each person or family’s situation separately to see if they need help. This means that if everything goes well with this process, J-HELP will have money for things like rent, a mortgage payment, or past-due energy bills. There are also vouchers available to help pay for medications.
The following resources are available for homeless individuals, youth, single parents, and families: -Shelters -Food pantries and soup kitchens -Free or low-cost medical care -Free or low-cost legal assistance -Job training and placement programs -Educational programs
The Cook County housing program provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and referrals to permanent supportive housing programs or low-income apartments. The program also provides funds to pay the rental deposit. Domestic violence shelters, legal support and advocacy services are also available. Other housing arrangements from J-HELP will include support services for people with disabilities. Rapid re-housing and one-time rent assistance are available at local centers.
Employment and stability services from J-HELP
Case management and anti-poverty services are organized. J-HELP will help homeless and low-income households find a way out of poverty. This means that the client and case manager should work together to create a document that outlines what the client needs from the non-profit.
Coaching is available from staff at the Jewish organization to help you improve. There is free advice available for things like job searches and eliminating debts. J-HELP can connect people from Chicago to non-profit organizations that may offer help with rent or utility payments. This is important because it is a way to improve the lives of people living in poverty.
If J-HELP does not have the resources available to meet the needs of low income households, staff will provide linkage to mainstream benefits, including public assistance. The type of services offered includes Early Childhood services, parent training, child abuse services, as well as support for low income non-English speakers with limited proficiency. The staff will also keep track of the process. They want to make sure that everyone involved meets their obligations and responsibilities.
Some people who are struggling are under a lot of pressure. Some people will need professional help to deal with their problems. If you are struggling with a mental issue or other domestic issue, the service has information on providers in Cook County. This type of support will also help a client become more stable.
J-HELP can provide things like financial assistance, emotional support, and referrals to other resources. It is preferred that clients telephone the office to make an appointment, however they are also able to walk in to find out about services. To speak to someone for more information, dial 312-357-4949.