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The Jewish Federation Helps JCHAI Serve
Disability Population During Pandemic
UNEMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN at an all-time high during the pandemic. Many
of those impacted include people with disabilities, like Jordyn Dannenbaum.

Dannenbaum, who has Down syndrome, had to resign from her job in a
nursing home due to safety concerns related to COVID-19, and left her second job
when the office closed down around the same time. Fortunately, Dannenbaum
has Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence, an organization that
serves people with disabilities by providing them with transitional housing,
socialization opportunities, life skills training and more.

“Some clients lost their jobs, our in-person programs went virtual, getting
groceries delivered to people in apartments became impossible, because those
platforms were inundated by the general population. Plus, the cost of food
skyrocketed,” said Stacy Levitan, JCHAI’s executive director. “Locating PPE was
a nightmare, and since many of our clients who kept their jobs were essential
workers, we also had to worry about keeping our staff safe.”
A few weeks into the pandemic, JCHAI received close to $50,000 from the
Jewish Federation’s Emergency Relief Fund. Those dollars offset the increasing
price of food and supported programs through their transition to virtual
platforms. JCHAI also received PPE, including clear masks for those with
hearing impairments to read lips and those on the autism spectrum to better
interpret social cues relayed through facial expressions.

“During those early days, we had so many problems competing for our attention
and fundraising was difficult for individual agencies,” Levitan said. “The Jewish
Federation has become very sophisticated when it comes to figuring out where to
direct dollars on an emergency basis, and they do a really good job working closely
with those of us in the community to shepherd funding where it’s needed most.”
In the earliest days of the pandemic, JCHAI received a toilet paper donation
from the Jewish Federation — a precious commodity at the time. Levitan and
her staff also participated in webinars with health experts, hosted by Jewish
Federations of North America and the local Jewish Federation, and relied on the
Jewish Federation to guide them through emergency loan applications.

When Levitan reflects on 2020, she speaks of JCHAI clients who have worked
through the pandemic. Many are essential workers, employed by grocery stores,
hospitals, schools and other businesses.

“It’s been really heartening to see that people with disabilities have been just
as integral to keeping our communities going as any other essential worker,” said
Levitan, beaming with pride.

Cristy Hollin, whose son Matthew has Fragile X syndrome and is a JCHAI
client, could not agree more. Matthew works in the linen room at Lankenau
Medical Center and has remained employed throughout the pandemic.

“We’re just beyond proud of how he’s handled the pandemic,” said Hollin, who
is the co-chair of the Jewish Federation’s Committee for Social Responsibility.

“We hope he continues to maintain a full-time job and keeps learning and
growing and building friendships because that’s just as good as it gets.”
While the pandemic has added another layer of difficulty on a population
that already faces countless challenges, the JCHAI community takes comfort
knowing that the Jewish Federation is there for them. JCHAI continued to feel
that support from a recent grant of $100,000 through the Jewish Federation’s
health and human services initiative with JFNA.

“Psychologically, it’s just wonderful knowing we’re not alone,” Levitan said.

“We have those who support us, like the Jewish Federation. The reality is no
matter how tough it gets, we never have to go through it by ourselves.”
20 MARCH 4, 2021
Matthew Hollin outside of Lankenau Medical Center, where he has worked throughout the
pandemic Courtesy of Cristy Hollin
Jordyn Dannenbaum at the beach
JEWISH EXPONENT
Courtesy of Cindy Dannenbaum
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM