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February 21, 2003/Adar1 19 5763, Vol. 55, No. 26
Free Loan gift helps women in crisis
BARRY COHEN
Editor
A recent anonymous donor's contribution has helped the Phoenix Jewish Free Loan Association establish the Women and Children in Crisis Fund.
The funding will enable the Free Loan Association to help women and children escape from abusive situations by enabling them to pay for a new residence and receive counseling, said Selma Fiel, JFLA executive director.
Too often, women and children are financially dependent upon the abusers they are living with, she said. After receiving a JFLA loan, "they no longer will feel trapped."
After receiving a loan from the Women and Children in Crisis Fund, the woman will be referred to Jewish Family and Children's Service.
"We're purely a lending agency," Fiel said, but JFCS can provide other kinds of resources.
One resource JFCS offers is the Helping Hands Program, said Kathy Rood, JFCS coordinator of Jewish Services.
Through Helping Hands, JFCS provides low-rent apartments to members of the Jewish community in financial crisis. JFCS has also worked with utility companies to charge lower rates to Helping Hands participants, said Rood. JFCS also provides counseling services to victims of abuse.
Since it was founded in the 1940s, JFLA has made thousands of interest-free loans to individuals and families in the Valley. According to a JFLA statement, "these loans are geared to provide people with help to retain their dignity during times of need."
For information, call 602-230-7983 or e-mail freeloan@qwest.net.
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