Emergency Funds
Emergency Fund Committee, a division of IAJF was established 1981 and assisted the applicants with financial needs such as food coupons and rent assistance.
In 2014, The Emergency Fund was restructured into three divisions:
- Social Services
- Fund Raising
- Cemetery Plot Sales and Management
SOCIAL SERVICES DIVISION
Description:
Social Services division was established in 2014 and has proudly served the community in crisis, This division extends the Emergency Social Fund services beyond the traditional coupons or short-term monthly rental subsidies. Emergency Fund case workers consist of a group of volunteer multi-disciplinary professionals who serve the community with dignity, compassion and dedication. The Committee members utilize a holistic approach in evaluating each applicant and consider contributing factors such as physical and emotional health, family situation, financial situations, and cultural influences in order to find the best solutions toward an improved quality of life and self-sufficiency at levels appropriate for each applicant.
Eligibility for Services:
Eis an inclusive service provided to Iranian American Jewish applicants residing in larger Los Angeles area. EF applicants fall into two general categories.
- Applicants who have the potential to start work if provided with appropriate services planned for each.
- Applicants, specially the frail elderly who require lifetime support.
Range of Services:
The type of assistance is varied based on each individual’s needs and include assistance with housing issues, food, medical and mental health; fighting addiction; assistance with technical and professional training, tools, and work for those who can benefit from training to become self-sufficient. Services also include research into resources and options, life skills coaching, career counseling, financial analysis, and psychotherapy offered in confidential settings. Follow up calls contribute to long term effectiveness of the program. Planning a new category to assist in strengthening Jewish identity among our youth.
Intake and Follow Up Procedures:
- Each applicant calls for help and is advised to fill out an application.
- An application is mailed or emailed to the applicant.
- After submission of application, applicants will receive a phone call, confirming the receipt of the application. They will be informed to provide documentation supporting their request. EF will not be able to provide services without proper documentation requested from the applicant and reviewed by EF.
- After receipt of documentation, the case will be added to the agenda for the next Committee meeting.
- Applications can be rejected if the Committee notices discrepancies between applicant reports given at different times and/or between applicant reports and verified documentation. In some cases, EF may deny compensation for applicant expenditures incurred prior to application for service.
- The case will be discussed and if determined eligible for service, two case managers are designated to each case.
- Case managers will conduct a home visit with the applicant, and provide the Committee with a report of the interview for approval of recommendations.
- The EF service manager will follow up with the services recommended in the Service delivery may include but is not limited to arranging payment for recommended services, research into existing resources within the community, coordinating services with the applicant and case managers for delivery of services.
- Upon completion of services, applicants will receive follow-up calls in periodic interims that might include every three months, six months, or a year.
Emergency Fund Co-Chairs: Susan Azizzadeh and Haideh Herbert-Aynehchi
EF Administrators: Elahe Borokhim, Nasrin Mandegar, Maria Mascardo
Cemetery Plot Management & Sale: Elie Alyeshmerni, Elahe Borokhim, Maria Mascardo.
