Supporting Our Community

As many of you may have read in our recent Shabbat Message, we have been able to increase the amount of initial funding we are releasing to support our partner agencies and community organizations that have been strongly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The new total is more than $500,000, a 20% increase to the amount of targeted funding support that we announced previously.

This substantial increase was made possible by the generosity of donors who have provided support through Jewish Federation – beyond their gifts to the Annual Campaign – to fund special projects that align closely with high priority community needs, and through our collaboration with the Jewish Community Foundation, our community’s centre for philanthropy and legacy planning.

This $505,000 will address immediate needs over the next 30 days in key essential community services.

Here is how the funding breaks down:

  • Jewish Family Services: $170,000 for food security, financial assistance for seniors, housing support and counselling services.

  • Jewish Community Centre: $130,000 for program subsidies, daycare scholarships, and seniors services.
  • Tikva Housing: $30,000 to help community members who unable to pay their rent.
  • Jewish Day Schools: $115,000 for tuition deferrals for families hit hard by COVID-19.
  • Supplementary Schools: $24,000 to transition to online learning.
  • Kehila Society of Richmond: $6,500 for emergency food distribution.
  • Jewish Seniors Alliance's Seniors Peer Services: $5,500 to help provide emotional support.
  • Overnight Camps: $24,000 for two B.C. based camps to help with increased costs due to COVID-19

Most of these funds will be released early this week, so that our partner agencies can continue to provide the vital services and support that so many of our community members rely on.

We want to thank each and every donor for their gift to the Federation Annual Campaign, and for the role they have played in making this initial response possible. This is but a first step. We recognize that additional support will be needed, and we will keep our community posted as plans are put in place.

As we continue to navigate this time of uncertainty, Jewish Federation will continue to be here to provide support, lead our community response and keep us connected.