FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS
Christine Coleman / JFCS
christinec@jfcs.org / 415-209-8506
Amy Scarlett / Taube Philanthropies
ascarlett@finemanpr.com / 415-392-1000
Jewish Family and Children’s Services Receives $250,000 Grant from Taube Philanthropies for North Bay Wildfire Relief
SAN FRANCISCO – Taube Philanthropies, one of the Bay Area’s foremost charitable organizations, has granted $250,000 to Jewish Family and Children’s Services in support of its emergency aid to victims of the North Bay wildfires. The financial support is making it possible for JFCS to render short-term humanitarian assistance – including food, clothing and housing – as well as longer-term support to help fire victims recover and rebuild their lives.
"The North Bay fires have been devastating to thousands,” said Dr. Anita Friedman, JFCS executive director. “Members of our community will be grappling with the aftermath of this disaster for many years to come. I just got off the phone with a man who lost his wife to breast cancer a few weeks ago, leaving him with two young children. Now his home has burned down with everything in it. He works but has limited means and not much family, so he needs help to get back on his feet. Fortunately, he and other families who have lost everything have JFCS and its supporters. In particular, I would like to thank Taube Philanthropies for its immediate and extraordinarily generous response, which enables us to provide the emergency assistance that is already helping people."
“It has been heartbreaking to watch the destruction in the North Bay create unparalleled human suffering,” said Tad Taube, founder and chairman of Taube Philanthropies. “I am grateful to be in a position to support relief efforts in these communities through the great work of our JFCS partners who are already on the ground. It is important that we support one another when faced with a horrific situation such as this.”
Taube Philanthropies has contributed to disaster relief efforts around the nation, including a recent $1 million challenge grant for Hurricane Harvey relief and rebuilding efforts that went to All Hands Volunteers, an organization that relies on a network of volunteers to help people affected by natural disasters all over the world. All Hands Volunteers raised the matching funds within a week, doubling the Taube grant through broad community support.
JFCS is providing emergency assistance as the fires continue to rage in the North Bay, including short-term food, shelter, and counseling, and long-term recovery support to the community in Sonoma County. Anyone needing help can contact JFCS at 707-303-1500 or sonoma@jfcs.org. JFCS case managers and clinicians are trained in emergency response and ready to deliver services quickly. The JFCS office in Santa Rosa, located at 1360 N. Dutton Avenue, Suite C, is open. JFCS is also accepting financial contributions to support these emergency services; donations are accepted online, or by phone at 415-449-1256.
About Taube Philanthropies
For more than 30 years, Taube Philanthropies has been a leader in supporting diverse educational, cultural, community, and youth organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, Poland and Israel. Founded by businessman and philanthropist Tad Taube in 1981, and now led by Tad and his wife Dianne Taube, the organization works to ensure that free citizens have the freedom and opportunity for advancement of their goals and dreams. For more information, visit www.taubephilanthropies.org.
About Jewish Family and Children’s Services
For more than 165 years, Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties has served the Bay Area’s children, families, and older adults. As the problem-solving center for our community, JFCS is the oldest and largest family services institution in the United States, serving more than 78,000 annually who are facing life transitions and personal crises. JFCS has earned a national reputation for offering the highest-quality compassionate care. With more than 40 programs, JFCS is a leader in developing research-based social services and educational programs that strengthen individuals, strengthen families, and strengthen community. To learn more, visit www.jfcs.org.
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