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The pandemic has been particularly challenging for isolated seniors. A special group of seniors, Holocaust survivors, are the focus of a national initiative to make sure that survivors get the much-needed resources they need as they age.  Health and safety protocols have heightened social isolation for survivors and have interrupted many medical and social services they need to maintain well-being.

The KAVOD Survivors of the Holocaust Emergency Fund (SHEF) initiative, launched by Seed the Dream Foundation in partnership with KAVOD-Ensuring Dignity for Survivors in March 2019, supports thousands of Holocaust Survivors across the United States. With the emergence and rapid spread of Covid-19, this special initiative has been identified as a key program reaching any survivor in need regardless of where he or she may live.

Linda Burger, CEO of Alexander Jewish Family Service, highlights the needs for survivors in our community. “Houston is fortunate to have many dedicated resources to ensure that survivors in the greater Houston area have a connection to the community, social services, access to a variety of public and private assistance as they age. However, there is a great sense of urgency as survivors are aging and are becoming frail. As a community, we want to make sure that we can provide what they need to live with comfort and dignity. That is why we are so pleased that KAVOD SHEF has included Houston in its program to provide matching funds for emergency funding for a wide range of needs we identify from our clients who are survivors.”

Two case management specialists at Alexander JFS have over forty years of combined experience working with survivors. Their work provides support and advocacy to assist survivors to access critically needed resources. The needs are great, and many sources of funding have restrictions on what their funds can be used for. KAVOD SHEF is a welcome addition to their toolbox to help fill in the critical gaps in care for the survivors they serve. Leah Mueller and Ruth Sherman, Alexander JFS survivor case managers, were excited to share that this initiative has doubled access to resources for survivors, in nine categories of emergency assistance: food, medical, dental, vision, urgent home needs (utilities, rent, repairs), emergency home care, transportation, essential deliveries, and PPE.

Alexander JFS is proud to have the support of local community partners on this important initiative including The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston and Holocaust Museum Houston, which devotes a portion of the sales from their gift shop to the matching challenge grant.

If a Holocaust survivor needs services, they can contact: 713-986-7833.

KAVOD SHEF partners with national philanthropic partners and invites donors in each partnering city to double their support of survivors by participating in the dollar-for-dollar matching grant. To learn more about how you can be a part of this match, contact:

Rachel Davis

Chief Development Officer, Alexander JFS

rdavis@alexanderjfs.org

713-986-7806

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