The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies recently chose eleven agencies to participate in Year Two of the NJHSA Jewish Poverty Challenge, an initiative of the Network’s Center for Innovation & Research. The goal of the program is to help NJHSA member agencies better analyze the marketplace, launch and manage solutions, and implement sustainable measures for success to address the many dynamics associated with responding to Jewish Poverty.
NJHSA has partnered with Start Co., a venture development consultancy firm with an expertise in launching startup, entrepreneurial initiatives and engaging municipalities, corporations and nonprofits in poverty reduction responses to work with Jewish Community Service Baltimore, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay, Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties, Jewish Family Service Cincinnati, Jewish Family Service Colorado, Jewish Family Services Northeastern New York, Jewish Family Service Orange County, NY, Jewish Family Service San Diego, Jewish Family Service Vancouver, BC, and Jewish Family Service Western MA. The team at Start Co will provide expert consultation assistance as these agencies rethink and redesign products and services, adjusting assumptions and organization models, while paying special attention to the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery methods.
“Because of the pandemic, this recession arrived faster than any in modern history. The implications are overwhelming and potentially paralyzing. It would be easy to get stuck in the weeds of survival — heads down to deal with the crisis of today, but to do so could have catastrophic consequences for our agencies and our clients,” said Jerry Rubin, Chair of the Network’s Innovation Committee. “We must anticipate the path and implications of the recession.”
Reuben Rotman, President & CEO of the Network added that “The COVID-19 pandemic has even further heightened the critical need for innovative solutions to the challenges of Jewish Poverty. With newly vulnerable clients reaching out for assistance in unprecedented frequency, the agencies are challenged to identify new ways of working and new efforts to achieve sustainable solutions for those in need.”
