The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona has awarded grants to five local Jewish agencies and synagogues to create programs for Jewish seniors that will focus on transportation needs, helping seniors stay in their homes, and counseling services.
Jewish Family & Children’s Services has received a grant to assist low-income Jewish elderly with home repairs. JFCS, together with Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, received a grant to provide counseling on a sliding-scale for Jewish residents of Handmaker and their families. A licensed independent clinical therapist will be on site at Handmaker eight hours per week starting this month.
Handmaker also received a grant for a “culture bus” to transport Jewish seniors who suffer from early dementia and/or memory loss and still live at home to various community activities.
Congregations Bet Shalom, Chaverim and Or Chadash also received grants that will offer Jewish religious and cultural programs to seniors unable to attend regular functions, improve the safety of synagogue restroom facilities, and provide taxi transportation for seniors to attend services.
These priorities for seniors were established based on input from the Senior Community Needs survey conducted in May 2010.
