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Kids Community Closet        KCC Grand Opening

NCJW has established secure emergency closets in seventeen local public elementary schools in which at least 90% of the attending children live at or below the federal poverty level.

Eleven closets are stocked with new girls and boys shorts, pants, sweatshirts, collared shirts, underwear and socks. On request, we provide school supplies and personal care items. Through our partnership with In Jacob’s Shoes, a Margate, FL non-profit, schools are able to obtain free footwear for their students. Selected school personnel distribute these items on an as needed basis: they are able to provide proper clothing in case of in-school accidents, children who come to school with ill-fitting or unclean clothing, and when family crises are brought to their attention. Our goal is to keep children coming to school and focused on learning.

Five closets provide socks and underwear because these schools receive new uniforms from another not for profit Back to Basics.

One additional closet provides socks, underwear and feminine hygiene items for nearly 4000 homeless and foster care children attending school in Palm Beach County. This closet is housed in Lincoln Elementary in Riviera Beach and is run by the Safe Schools Division of the McKinney Vento Program. The feminine hygiene products in this closet are funded by a generous grant from the Quantum Foundation.

Kids Community Closets are currently serving schools with a total enrollment of over 12,500 children. NCJW volunteers serve as liaisons to the schools, checking on inventory needs and working with school personnel to make sure the closet is orderly and properly stocked.

NCJW is grateful for the support we have received from the BallenIsles Charities Foundation, Sheila G’s Brownie Brittle Team, and Quantum Foundation. We welcome additional support as there are always more children in need of our Kids Community Closets.

If you are interested in becoming a KCC volunteer, please contact Sarah Rothschild- KCC@ncjwpalmbeach.org.

Download our KCC Brochure.

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Meals With a Cause

There are currently 4 projects for volunteers to assist with opportunities under the Meals With A Cause category.

Serving Dinner at The Lewis Center, 1000 45th Street, West Palm Beach

  • 3-4 volunteers from 5:30 – 7  on the 2nd Wednesday or the 4th Thursday of the month.
  • In conjunction with the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, individuals identified as homeless but hopeful are enrolled in the 90-Day Rapid Re-Housing program. They live at the Lewis Center where they receive social, vocational and medical services to enable them to become employed and then able to transition into their own housing. This program is called “Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers” and it enables our members to serve a dinner, cafeteria-style, which has been prepared and delivered to the Lewis Center.
  • Due to COVID restrictions, we did not serve from March 2020 until April 2021.  CDC requirements now allow our volunteers to serve the residents delicious food across the counter safely while wearing a mask. The recipients really appreciate the encouragement and good wishes that we share with them as we pass a plate of beef tacos or grilled chicken across the counter. They are always grateful and express their appreciation with a big “thank you.”
  • There is much need in our community. If you are interested in participating in either of these efforts, please contact Debbie Mendelson- Communityservice@ncjwpalmbeach.org.

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Soup for the Soul

  • Soup For The Soul, a community-based volunteer effort to provide bags of nutritious soup ingredients to food insecure Palm Beach County residents, who create a healthy soup for their families.  To date, we have provided food to over 11,8000 residents. Seeking volunteers to continue meeting the ever-growing need to feed our children and families.  Questions: Laurie Alexander, Chair Soup for the Soul- Soup@ncjwpalmbeach.org.

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Let’s Do Lunch

  • Let’s Do Lunch is a completely volunteer program that supplies sandwiches and snacks to the homeless that come to St. George Episcopal Church and Recreation Center. Each day, residents receive one hot meal supplied by the church and a bag dinner to take with them supplied by us on our assigned day.
  • We ask that our volunteers prepare sandwiches of any kind at home (no mayonnaise, please). Then, on a designated day, we will pick up the sandwiches and deliver them to the church.
  • We are currently looking for an assistant to help email thank you notes to the volunteers. It only requires a once-a-month commitment. The list of volunteers will be provided by the captains in each community.
  • If you are interested in joining this very easy way of helping the homeless, please send your questions to Merle Bassin- Letsdolunch@ncjwpalmbeach.org.

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Lets Do Lunch-March 2021

Soup for Shabbat

  • In partnership with Alpert Jewish Family Services, NCJW Palm Beach assists the food and financially insecure members of the Jewish Community. Every other month, NCJW volunteers provide 50 bags of Kosher-approved Lentil Vegetable Soup ingredients along with the soup recipe. These bags are distributed by AJFCS volunteers to their clients through their Kosher Food Pantry. The fresh and healthy ingredients are meant to create a delicious start to their clients’ Shabbat meal.

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Cooking for Quantum House

  • Do you like to cook? Once a month, usually on the 2nd Monday of the month, volunteer chefs prepare (in their own kitchen) part of the meal for the children and families living at Quantum House. This “house” is similar to a Ronald MacDonald house which enables families to live right near St. Mary’s Hospital which specializes in surgeries on children’s limbs. A “home-cooked” dinner prepared by NCJW volunteers is always appreciated. More chefs are needed and the chairperson would love to involve another volunteer to help with the various aspects of this project. Questions: Elizabeth Harrison- quantumhouse@ncjwpalmbeach.org

Another Addition: Changing the Face of Homelessness

  • “Changing the Face of Homelessness” is an umbrella program under the auspices of the National Council of Jewish Women, Palm Beach Section.  We are filling the holes where the government doesn’t, working with several homeless, non-profit agencies with several initiatives in mind to make the lives of homelessness problematic.
  • Our goals are many.  From fundraising to volunteer help, to providing food, equipment or special-needed requests throughout the year; a possible example would be rental housing assistance, dental kits, backpacks with canned food.
  • We create opportunities to work with the Lewis Center where we provide dinners that the residents look forward to.  Lewis Center is a transitional program that helps the homeless move to independence.  The Homeless Coalition needs beds, welcome kits for children and adults. Questions: please email Debbie Mendelson at Communityservice@ncjwpalmbeach.org.


What is human trafficking?
Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery. Victims are those forced, coerced or tricked into providing labor or sexual services.

Human Trafficking Warning signs

  • Unexplained gifts, jewelry or cell phones
  • A controlling boyfriend or relationship
  • Vague and inconsistent stories about activities and whereabouts
  • Marked changes in behavior and speech
  • Hidden phone/computer communications
  • Online presence indicates sexual activity
  • Chronically runs away from home
  • Unexplained absences from school/work
  • “Branded” with an unexplained tattoo
  • Shows signs of abuse or neglect
  • Appears afraid, anxious, depressed, nervous, defensive


Our Trafficked Teens

We have free-standing silhouettes of 4 teens—3 girls, 1 boy—each with a story of how she/he became a victim of human trafficking. The Trafficked Teens are a powerful tool for raising awareness of trafficking of teens and pre-teens.

Mini-teen silhouettes, made of bright green foam core and standing 20” to 24” high are available for purchase. One set of teens is $25. For more information, contact Judy Traub, HumanTrafficking@ncjwpalmbeach.org

Combat Sexual Assault and Harassment

Our goal is to raise awareness and provide education about human trafficking, with a special focus on sex trafficking of teens, pre-teens and vulnerable young adults.

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Disrupt Sex Trafficking poster campaign

Abolitionist MomThe Disrupt Sex Trafficking poster campaign depicts 6 very real situations in which teens and pre-teens can become victims of trafficking for sex. It is created by the anti-trafficking organization Abolitionist Mom to educate and raise awareness in the community of the risks that technology, scams and “friends” can present to both boys and girls. We want this to be a wake-up call to parents, educators, coaches, medical professionals—anyone who has responsibility or cares for a teen or pre-teen. Be aware. Know the warning signs. When in doubt, call that National Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text “help” to 233-733 (BeFree)

Posters are available for purchase. Organizations can add their own logo or contact information to the posters. Each set of 6 posters is $30 plus postage. To place an order, contact Judy Traub, HumanTrafficking@ncjwpalmbeach.org. For more information about the campaign and to learn more about human trafficking, please visit DisruptSexTrafficking.org.

The Human Trafficking Committee of the Palm Beach Section of the National Council of Jewish Women is focused on raising awareness of online safety, especially for children and adolescents. We are distributing flyers and information on the subject and are sending it to you, hoping you will share this with your children and grandchildren.

All children are at risk of making a mistake when online, and we hope this provides them and their parents with some critical information to raise their awareness of the risks of online predators.


DON’T BECOME A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING:
INTERNET SAFETY AND SEXTING

Human Trafficking kids logo

POSTING PHOTOS:
Friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, first crush. A request for a picture isn’t unusual. But as relationships develop, the request can be made for more explicit photos or videos. And once those photos or videos have been shared with one person, who promises never to share it with anyone, that promise is broken and they send it to a friend, who sends it to two more friends, who send it to ten more friends. It may be your photo, but it now belongs to the world, and you can’t get it back. Anyone with the photo can now shame the subject and force him or her to become a victim of human trafficking for more explicit photos or for sex or labor services.

PLAYING GAMES ONLINE:
Youngsters love to play games online. They may start out playing with friends but eventually, they may be invited to play with strangers. Some games require the purchase of game dollars, which the stranger may be only too happy to “lend”. But there can come a day for a payback. And the payback might be a demand for a nude photo or video. And that can be used against an innocent child anytime in the future. The shame of having the photos sent to family or friends may result in being trafficked for sex or labor services.

BEFRIENDED:
Youngsters may be befriended when at a mall, park, bowling alley or online by someone who listens to their issues, buys them food, gifts, and becomes a “friend”. They make be asked to send photos of themselves and the requests may come for more explicit photos. Once the “friend” has the photo it can be used to threaten exposure to family, classmates. The shame can cause depression or thoughts of suicide. Or the victims may be able to stave off exposure by becoming a victim of human trafficking for sex or labor services.
High-risk targets: kids from group homes, foster homes, community kids who are homeless, lonely, depressed, not in the popular crowd.
The “friend” may be a victim of trafficking herself or himself and be a recruiter for the actual trafficker. The “friend” will eventually turn the victim over to the trafficker and he/she will sell or exploit the victim for sex or labor trafficking

ANSWERING ADS OR SOLICITATIONS FOR MODELING, MOVIES, WORK:
Young people need to be very careful when they are told they are so pretty they should be a model or in the movies, or such a perfect fit for a job. Answering an ad or following up on a solicitation should be verified, and no young person should ever go alone. Headshots for modeling can turn into requests for much more explicit photos, which can be used as blackmail by a trafficker.

PUTTING INFORMATION ONLINE:
People, especially youngsters and young adults, need to know not to put personal information online: name, age, address, phone number, school attended, family information. Information online is used by traffickers to meet, groom, and victimize innocent people.

WHO IS AT RISK:
Boys and girls are equally at risk. Traffickers will provide whatever the customer wants, and if it is young boys or teenage girls, that is who the trafficker will target, groom and victimize.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Go to netsmartz.org, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). That website has excellent information about online safety and ways to talk to children and adolescents about the issue.

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If you or someone you know may be at risk, call

888-373-7888

text “Help” to 233733 (befree)
help@humantraffickinghotline.org
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Toll Free – Confidential – 24/7

Human Trafficking QR code

Dignity Bags

NCJW Palm Beach is packing cinch bags with personal care and sanitary items for homeless women living on the street.  The bags are distributed by outreach workers of The Lord’s Place.  We have volunteer opportunities for shopping, donating needed items, donating money for the purchase of needed items, and helping to pack the bags.  Packing is done once a month at various locations.

Questions: Loe Goldwasser or Judy Traub – dignity@ncjwpalmbeach.org

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  • Dignity Bags 2-2024
    Dignity Project
    NCJW’s DIGNITY PROJECT brings personal care items to The Lord’s Place for their outreach workers to bring to “unhoused women”. The Dignity Bags bring comfort...
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  • DEC Dignity project
    Dignity Project- December 2021
    We are receiving very positive feedback on our Dignity Project, which provides personal care and sanitary products to homeless women living on the...
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Dignity Project- May 2021

Donate to LIFT
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The Palm Beach Section of NCJW has established a multi-faceted program that provides personal care and apartment essentials for women, children, and families, as well as for young adults aging out of foster care.

LIFT For Battered Women works with Harmony House, the local Shelter for Battered Women that is operated by the YWCA, to provide suitcases packed with bedding, towels and a full range of kitchen items as well as personal care items for women living in or leaving the shelter and not returning to their abusive partner.

Volunteer opportunities: Host a shower in your home to educate friends and neighbors of the issues of power and control that cause women (and many fewer men) to become victims of domestic abuse.

LIFT For Adolescents Aging Out Of Foster Care. NCJW Palm Beach Section provides each Palm Beach County adolescent aging out of foster care a suitcase, hamper and storage container filled with the basic bedroom, kitchen and bathroom items needed for a first apartment. Working closely with agencies that provide services to adolescents in foster care, NCJW volunteers shop for and deliver new sheets, pillows, blankets, towels, dishes, pots and pans, cutlery, kitchen utensils and so much more. The project is of great help to youth who age out of foster care and are often overwhelmed with the changes and decisions they must make without the support of parents and grandparents. Volunteer opportunities: Shoppers for a specific list of household items given to each individual aging out of the foster care system. Host a shower for friends and neighbors to educate them about this program and to get donations of needed items.

For more information on LIFT programs, contact Susan Schwartz, Villagio@ncjwpalmbeach.org

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  • Donate to LIFT
    LIFT- December 2021
    We’d like to welcome Ellen Rosner to our LIFT team. Ellen will work with Sarajane Feinsilver on our LIFT program dedicated to survivors...
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HEADS SMART – a bicycle safety program to encourage the wearing of helmets to save lives. Volunteers are urgently needed to assist in presenting at area schools, assist with community activities, and make phone calls for potential presentations.

Questions: Marsha Rickles or Ilene Cohen-Leefer – headssmart@ncjwpalmbeach.org

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  • Heads Smart 2024
    Heads Smart
    On December 27, 2023, as part of Wellness Day at The Club at Ibis, Marsha Rickles, Heads Smart Chairwoman, and Ilene Leefer, along...
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  • Heads_Smart_2-23
    Heads Smart Kicks Off Holiday Season
    By Marsha Rickles-Co-chair On December 20, Ilene Leefer, co-chair of Heads Smart and certified helmet fitter, teamed up with the Boca Raton Bicycle...
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  • Heads Smart
    Heads Smart Gearing Up
    Heads Smart is looking forward to a Happy and Healthy life-saving 2022. By the new year,  Directors Marsha Rickles and Ilene Leefer will...
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In an effort to encourage young people to become the next generation of community leaders, Palm Beach Section presents NCJW Palm Beach Future Leader Awards. These awards are presented annually to two High School seniors who have shown their commitment to improving the quality of life for women, children, and families, and safeguarding individual rights and freedoms through their ongoing volunteer efforts.

Advocacy Award – A $1,000 cash award will be given to the applicant deemed to have made a significant impact as an advocate for social justice and/or quality of life issues through his/her volunteer activities.

Community Service Award -A $1,000 cash award will be given to the applicant considered to have made the greatest contribution in the area of community service, as evidenced by his/her volunteer activities.

Sarah Clein

This year, the NCJW Palm Beach Future Leader Award for Community Service went to Sarah Clein, a graduating senior at Wellington High School, who created two non-profits, Bricks Busting Boredom and Aaron’s iPad Lending Library, both focused on providing children in the pediatric wards of local hospitals with worthwhile activities while hospitalized.

 

 

Zachary Fenster

Also, this year, the NCJW Palm Beach Future Leader Award for Advocacy went to Zachary Fenster, a senior at Oxbridge Academy, for his outstanding work with the Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club in Riviera Beach and his extraordinary participation in Special Olympics where he focused on the abilities of the children rather than their disabilities.

Dr. Priscilla Bartolone with scholarship winner Megan Wright

Dr. Priscilla Bartolone with scholarship winner Megan Wright

On April 30, 2021, Linda Finkelstein and Rona Sterling had the distinct pleasure of meeting Megan Wright, a nursing student at South University and awarding her with a check for $300 from the ALK Scholarship Fund along with a certificate from NCJW Palm Beach.  Megan was chosen by her Program Director of the College of Nursing, Dr. Priscilla Bartolone because of Megan’s excellence in academics and positive attitude.