NECHAMA Finding Help in the Los Angeles Jewish Community
Submitted by: Aviva Center Category: Caring for Jews in Need
The Big Idea
With a Jewish population estimated at more than 550,000, Los Angeles has the second-largest Jewish community in North America after New York City. The Los Angeles Jewish community is a complex, wide-ranging, often hectic mixture of denominations, beliefs, ideas and practices. We are a community held together by tradition, common interests and a sense of caring and concern for one another, especially in time of need. In a sense, the equivalent of a modern-day Shtetl of Los Angeles!
In the shtetls-of-old, the size and locations of the towns enabled everyone to be available immediately to provide support to young or old, rich or poor; anyone in need!
In Los Angeles the Jewish population is spread out, separated into various denominations, and lack a single point where any Jew can come or call for whatever assistance they need. Nechama will be a vehicle to connect all the members of the Los Angeles Jewish Community to one another by providing a single-stop for assistance and/or referrals to private and governmental agencies in the greater Los Angeles area.
The Impact
Nechama will maintain direct communication with sectarian, non sectarian and public entities and create a huge base for referrals. While there are many information and referral programs throughout Los Angeles, often they are fragmented, not comprehensive in their knowledge of the Jewish community or not staffed by live, specially trained responders. In addition, an internet site will be maintained which will contain information which will be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Nechama staff will collect and disseminate information about everything that is important to the Jewish community that will include, but is not limited to:
social services, mental health and medical assistance for children, adolescents, families, seniors; and the disabled. In addition, our staff will monitor; K-12 and post-secondary educational or vocational opportunities; job training and employment opportunities: and, financial assistance resources. We will also provide referrals for legal assistance; interpreters; and those seeking assistance with religious or spiritual matters.
Nechama will assist in the referral process to all of the above programs and services and more.
Nechama will let our brethren know. They are not alone!
This Is A Great Idea Because
Nechama is designed to provide a comprehensive information and referral source with a specific focus on and outreach primarily to the Jewish Community.
Nechama's two (2) paid staff members and volunteers familiar with the Los Angeles Jewish community will provide free live information and referral services during normal business hours. Provision will be made for providing information in crisis or emergency situations at night and on the weekends.
Nechama will make referrals to both public and private sources of assistance that provide no cost, low-cost or fee for service programs. While Nechama's focus is on the Jewish community, anyone within our County's diverse population who contacts the project will be served.
Information about how to contact of Nechama will be disseminated utilizing a variety of traditional and cutting edge means to reach potential users of the project.
These may include, but are not limited to, large and small signage, billboards etc. throughout the county, flyers and brochures distributed to all Jewish community sites; e.g. synagogues, temples, community center, schools
A community Kick-off event will launch the project, and, if available, a Jewish celebrity will help promote Nechama to the community.
Referral and information sources will be continually updated.
A Community Advisory Board consisting of community members as well as agencies and organizational service providers will be established.
Aviva's long, well-respected service to the Los Angeles Jewish community and to the community-at-large demonstrate that we can connect persons in need to the services and programs they require!
Hamburger Home, d.b.a. Aviva Family and Children's Services www.avivacenter.org