The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Community Campaign 2009 is the only way you can impact our entire Jewish community with a single gift, and now more than ever our community is in need. Now is the time to unite and support the less fortunate.

We are in the midst of the worst economic downturn in 50 years, and the unfortunate among us are hurting. In recent months, Jewish Family & Career Services has seen a 600 percent increase in requests for emergency financial assistance - of those people, almost 80 percent are Jewish - that is staggering.

Last month, a 34-year-old single father with three young children lost his job unexpectedly. He was facing eviction from his rental home. He spent all of his savings on housing and food while he was looking for another job. Unfortunately, the new job he found didn't come soon enough - he turned to JF&CS for help with his rent. JF&CS provided the father money for rent, and he was able to avoid eviction.

Monies raised during the Community Campaign are imperative to keeping the infrastructure and support in place at our 19 affiliate agencies so that when families are in crisis help is there waiting. By giving to the Campaign, you will be ensuring that help can be given at a moment's notice. Now is the time for us to provide the safety net that is central to our tradition and indispensable for our community.

A boy wanted to enroll in a Jewish day school - his family visited the school and sat down with the admissions officer to discuss payment options. The boy will not be attending the school at this time because the school has no money in its scholarship fund.

Another man, in the financial services industry for more than 30 years lost his job a few months ago. He sought out help through JF&CS career services. Through funding Federation provided, he was able to receive career counseling, resume reviewing, and interview coaching. With this help, he was able to secure a new job and is now self-sufficient.

Seniors in Atlanta rely on Naturally Occuring Retirement Communities (NORC) to stay in their homes. Funding for these programs including transportation to doctor's appointments, meals, and social activities has been cut by 60 percent because of changes in the State's budget. Federation is now supporting these seniors' needs alone. The NORCs are counting on your generosity to help these seniors in 2010.

These people are not alone. Stories like this are becoming common in our community - to our neighbors. They are the reason that reaching the $20 million goal for Community Campaign 2009 is so important. Your gift to Federation allows us all to work together to make the lives of so many people brighter.

Your gift funds:

19 affiliate agencies that provide Jewish education, social services, and humanitarian relief for Jews in need, AND
5 initiatives—called Outcomes—that address unmet needs in our local and overseas communities
And SO MUCH MORE...
DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT by Participating in the Matching Grant Program

This year, all new or increased gifts—up to $1 million—will be matched thanks to a generous donation to your Federation. Call (404) 870-7690 for more information about this exciting program.

If you wish to touch the lives of Jews in Atlanta and throughout the world, Leverage Your Giving and Maximize Your Impact with a gift to the Community Campaign 2009.