How JFS is helping wildfire relief efforts
Since the Marshall Fire roared through the Boulder area at the end of 2021, Jewish Family Service (JFS) has been actively responding to the community’s needs in the aftermath of this tragedy. Thanks to JEWISHcolorado’s Boulder Fire Relief Fund, CFBC’s Boulder County Wildfire Fund, and donations to JFS’s wildfire fund, we have responded to 328 applications and more than 900 individuals. In addition, we have provided referrals, case management, 125 computers, $12,000 in gift cards, and $288,6000 in direct financial assistance.
Families like the Engel’s . . .
The Louisville home that Josh shared with his wife and daughter and one of their vehicles were completely lost in the Marshall Fire. Thanks to a longstanding family involvement with JFS, the JCC, and JEWISHcolorado, the Engel’s knew where to turn for help.
JFS provided the Engel’s with financial support, a laptop, and food.
“We are doing very well,” shared Josh. “We’re living in an Airbnb for now, moving to a long-term rental in Louisville in April. We are working on rebuilding plans, budgets, etc. Our daughter, who is 6.5, is doing well in first grade, and so far, all is good.”
Due to the increase in demand for services, JFS has hired more staff to do intakes, support those calling for assistance, and provide mental health counseling.
Many new clients have also registered for mental health services through the Boulder County Crisis Counseling program, and we’ve had an outpouring of support from therapists offering their services. Individuals and families can receive 10 free sessions with a counselor they select from our list. We have increased the number of available private practice therapists from 70 pre-fire to more than 230, showing an outpouring of support from the community. To date, 235 households have accessed the free mental health service since the Marshall Fire. We encourage anyone in the Boulder area who has been affected by the wildfire to sign up for these sessions.
If you would like to support the relief efforts or if someone you know needs financial assistance or mental health counseling due to the fires, please visit jewishfamilyservice.org/boulder.