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Dear JFS Friends, Supporters and Collaborative Partners:
I hope this finds you in good health and you have had some down time this hot and rainy summer.
Many of you have reached out concerning the Haitian Asylum crisis our Commonwealth is experiencing. As you may know, Governor Maura Healey recently declared a State of Emergency. JFS, as the only Jewish organization doing refugee and asylum work in all of Eastern MA and Worcester, has of course stepped up given our values of helping the stranger. Even though a state of emergency has been declared, it could be a month or more before any funding gets to us (if approved by the Federal government). In the meantime, we need to help the families in our care.
Right now we have 12 families (39 individuals, including 17 young children/babies) in Framingham and we are expecting more. I want to thank Temple Beth Am, Framingham for donating Target cards. The Commonwealth is paying for the hotel rooms and will reimburse JFS for the meals that are purchased until the families are on SNAP benefits, however there are many other basic necessities we must pay for.
At this time JFS is in need of:
- CVS Pharmacy cards.
- Walmart/Target cards.
- Stop and Shop cards to supplement SNAP, especially for families with babies as formula is very expensive and necessary because, due to the trauma endured by the mothers during the journey from South America to the Mexico/US border, they are not able to breast feed.
- Visa/Mastercard cards to help with medical expenses as it takes time to acquire Mass Health.
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And of course cash donations - click here to donate now.
Donations of gift cards can be brought to JFS during regular business hours, 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday.
Or if mailing, please send to:
JFS of Metrowest
475 Franklin Street, Suite 101
Framingham, MA 01702
Attention: Lucia Panichella
Click here to learn about the partnership between JFS and the City of Framingham and how you can get involved in supporting these newly arrived families.
Thank you in advance for helping us in this effort. It is an emergency response but long term, it is truly Tikkun Olam. I know these families will become part of our caring and welcoming community and with all our help, will thrive.
My very best,
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