Sacramento, CA – The California Department of Social Services awarded $3.6 million in grants to six Jewish Family Service agencies across California to provide support for elderly Holocaust Survivors struggling to live out their days in dignity. Last year, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, led by then-Chair Assemblymember Marc Levine and then-Vice Chair Senator Ben Allen, was instrumental in securing the funding requested by the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) in the 2018-2019 State Budget.
The six agencies receiving grants are Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Jewish Family and Community Services of the East Bay, Jewish Federation and Family Services of Orange County, and Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley. The grants will be used to prevent the very circumstances that Holocaust survivors should never have to face again - eviction, hunger, inadequate medical care, loneliness, social isolation, and despair.
“Holocaust Survivors in California are increasingly frail and vulnerable, and they have unmet needs related to home-care, nutrition, transportation, and housing,” said Assemblymember Levine. “Existing aging and community-based services are inadequate, and additional state resources are needed to ensure Holocaust survivors can live out their final years with dignity.”
“Survivors struggle with the ever-present legacy of the Holocaust and all that they lost,” said Senator Allen, now the Chair of the Jewish Caucus. “The least we can do is ensure their basic needs are met so they can live their lives in comfort. I am grateful for this and ongoing efforts by JPAC and Jewish Family Service agencies in support of our survivors.”
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Assemblymember Marc Levine represents the 10th Assembly District, which includes Marin and Sonoma Counties.
Senator Allen represents the 26th Senate District, which includes the Westside, Hollywood and South Bay communities of Los Angeles County.
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