From the Desk of CEO Judy Halper: July 2022

It’s been a while since I’ve ridden amusement park rides, but I had the opportunity to do so recently while entertaining my 3- and 6-year-old grandchildren. Sitting beside me on the Tilt-A-Whirl was my grandson, and let’s just say it would be a toss-up as to which one of us was going to….well, toss up first! We had fun, and it was a thrill, and it made our heads spin a lot too!

I’ll admit that even when I’m not riding roller coasters and Ferris wheels, I find my head spinning quite a lot! It’s a challenge to keep up with all the changes and diversions that accompany day-to-day living. Summertime used to offer a bit of a breather from the pace of life in the other three seasons, but it doesn’t feel like that is true any longer.

At Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, we are documenting service levels every week in order to gauge the increase in request for assistance. It comes as no surprise that we are seeing a dramatic uptick in request for mental health services and financial assistance. Requests for financial assistance to cover the cost of everyday living, not to mention unplanned events like car repairs and medical needs, is outpacing what we budgeted for. And the year is only half over.

It’s always been true that when hard times hit, such as recessions or supply-chain economic impacts, it takes longer for folks living on tight budgets to adjust and rebound from these challenges. Struggling to pay bills affects people emotionally and physically, and impacts relationships, marriages, and the well-being of children.

JFCS is a resource for emotional assistance, career help, parenting support, financial assistance, and so much more. Our professional staff offer boundless compassion and can help when your head is spinning, whether from amusement park rides, or from life’s challenges. We are Here For all. Always.