Emergency Aid Services Offered

Emergency Aid Assessment

When a person has a crisis – no matter how big or small – our caring JFCS staff members provide an individualized, professional assessment of the crisis and discuss potential solutions to help solve the immediate and underlying problems. As part of the emergency aid assessment clients will be referred to agencies for additional services to increase stability in the client’s life.

Financial Aid
Financial aid for housing, food, utilities, clothing, and school supplies are available on a limited basis. Our agency attempts to assist as many people as possible with the limited funds available. Since we receive many more requests than we are able to provide funds for, our agency is only able to provide emergency assistance to clients on a limited basis.

Case Management
JFCS offers short-term case management and crisis intervention so our community members experiencing difficulties can become self-sufficient and able to handle future issues. Everyone is eligible for an assessment, information and referrals, and assistance with short-term solution focused planning. Clients are provided with referrals and connections with other resources in the Portland Metro area that can assist with rent, utilities, food stamps, food boxes, medication, etc

Holiday Food Boxes
Our food boxes are one of the most appreciated forms of assistance JFCS offers that comes from committed donors in the community. Our dedicated volunteers, donors and staff work together to help prepare and provide holiday food boxes to our clients. During the Thanksgiving holiday, our agency and volunteers help provide over 50 families with a complete Thanksgiving holiday meal. During Passover the agency collaborates with volunteers and other community groups to provide boxes for elderly and low-income Jewish clients.

Holiday Gift Program
JFCS helps coordinate a Hanukkah and Christmas holiday gift drive for low-income children and families thanks to generous donations from members of the Jewish community.

Examples of what JFCS Actually Does for People In Emergencies
The following list provides some of the ways that JFCS can help people facing the unexpected crisis:

• Arrange for medical assistance for an elderly senior on a fixed income, who suffered a debilitating fall.
• Provide vouchers to a local thrift store to purchase clothing and toys for the young child of a single mother.
• Arrange for an amplified telephone speaker for someone who is hard-of-hearing so that he/she can hear the phone ring.
• Partial assistance with moving costs or a housing deposit for disabled or homeless individuals or families.
• Provide vouchers for food at a local grocery so that individuals who keep kosher or have medically dictated diets are able to accommodate their special needs.
• Assistance with unexpected utility costs during the winter months.
• Assistance to low-income parents in the purchase of school clothing and supplies for their children.

For more information or to schedule an appointment please call (503) 226-7079 ext. 40.