Our Jewish tradition commands us to provide help to the poor and disadvantaged. Many of our Temple Beth Am programs have arisen from that tradition, assisting both our Jewish neighbors and the larger community.
In 2003, we took a major step toward “living the teaching” by hosting Tent City on our grounds for the first time for a stay of six weeks. Tent City gave us the opportunity to see the faces of the homeless and poverty. We learned that although Tent City allows couples to stay together, most shelters in our area do not – and many do not allow children, forcing homeless parents to accept temporary separation from their children. We also learned that many homeless citizens have part- or full-time jobs.
After Tent City, a group of Temple members developed the Homeless to Renter Program (H2R). The Temple Board approved the proposal unanimously in February 2004. In Summer 2010 our H2R Program helped the 120th family move into their own rental apartment.
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Families fall into homelessness for many reasons: the loss of a job, divorce, domestic violence, overwhelming medical bills, substance abuse. The first step is to provide temporary shelter, food, and medical care, and other services the family may require.
The next step is to help these families move up out of homelessness. Some already have jobs, but they are the “working poor.” They have sufficient income to pay monthly rent on a small apartment, but can’t save enough to pay the move-in costs: first and last month’s rent and security deposit.
Thus, they are stuck in homelessness or temporary housing because they can’t take that next step. We decided to help these families by arranging to help pay for their move-in costs.
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The H2R program partners with the Jewish Family Service, a social service agency which works with both Jewish families and families from the border community in need of help. Here’s how H2R works:
- Jewish Family Service identifies and qualifies a family ready to move up and out of homelessness.
- The family locates an apartment with rent they can afford if they receive help with move-in costs.
- H2R fund pays move-in costs, up a total of $1,000 per family. We also provide household supplies, special afghans made by our Knitzvah Knitters, and, if necessary, help the family with the costs of apartment supplies.
- Jewish Family Service manages the H2R fund and provides us with progress reports.
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We invite everyone to support H2R.
- Your tax-deductible contribution, regardless of the amount, is a wonderful opportunity to help hardworking families.
- Make your check payable to Temple Beth Am–H2R, and mail it to Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St., Seattle, WA 98115.
- You may designate your H2R contribution as a tribute to a friend or loved one. Please complete the donation form.
- For Temple Beth Am members, a H2R check-off appears on your dues envelope.
We also invite you to join our H2R Committee to help plan fund-raising events and identify external sources of funding. Please contact Ellen Naor.
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