Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar
Changing our “How” but not our “Why”
In times of crisis, we can’t do business as usual. Your support has positioned the Federation to be fast and flexible and see where we will be needed next—to skate to where the puck is going to be.
Yesterday, Governor DeWine unveiled plans for a phased and limited “re-opening” of our economy in the coming weeks. But the Federation had already launched a“SAFE Re-Open” Facilities Resource Group, which is curating health and safety best practices to ensure that our agencies and congregations can re-open their facilities safely.
This month, when newspapers reported on the passage of the CARES Payroll Protection Program (PPP), we had already briefed our community organizations on how to position themselves to secure these financially lifesaving PPP Forgivable Loans. And, we succeeded. The Federation’s Shared Business Services helped 20 Jewish nonprofits, including schools and congregations, under financial stress from COVID-19 revenue loss, to secure more than $4.4 million to help them cover payroll and occupancy expenses. That’s 96 percent of what they applied for. Without this financial lifeline, many would have been forced to implement layoffs or furloughs.
But even as our “How” changes during a crisis, the Federation’s “Why” shines through:
We Are Unleashing the Power of Community to Help Those in Need – Days after we closed our offices, we partnered with Jewish Family Service (JFS) to launch a COVID-19 Hotline, which also serves as our tool to track needs for food, housing, jobs and emotional health.
Many families have lost income overnight. Some will never recover their jobs or income levels. So, JVS Career Services is working—remotely—helping over 300 clients. They have posted over 500 new jobs.
JFS has seen a 20 percent increase at the Barbash Family Vital Support Center and the Heldman Family Food Pantry. And their first responders have found new ways to help people get food during stay-at-home orders.
We Are Keeping Community Members Connected, Updated, and Inspired – We have fought isolation and helped thousands of community members, many of whom are isolated, to connect and to participate virtually in Passover, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and other meaningful events. And we have matched dozens of volunteers with opportunities to connect, get involved, and give back.
We are Reviving and Reimagining Our Community Organizations:
First, we expedited crisis funding. We advanced our funding to our agency partners and loosened restrictions, so they can use it where it’s most needed in a crisis.
Now we are starting to facilitate scenario planning to help our essential organizations to change how they work. Because the economy that will re-open will not be the one we closed in February. Needs, wants, and resources will all be different.
Every dollar is critical for our community. So, we are cutting funds from programs that are not urgent and repurposing them for emergency needs.
As we have needed to be physically distant, being part of a community that cares, helps, and gives life meaning has only become more urgently needed.
We have more than 124 years of experience bringing people together to solve big problems. We have seen our community through other crises. And we will get through this one.
