IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

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Framingham, MA – January 7, 2016 –Jewish Family Service of Metrowest (JFS) today announced that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Foundation for MetroWest to continue its provision of family assistance services to vulnerable children and families at the Woodrow Wilson Elementary School on the south-side of Framingham.

 

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The neighborhoods surrounding the Wilson School have the lowest income level in Framingham; 72% of Wilson students qualify for free or reduced fee meal programs.  The school also has the highest percentage of families whose primary language is not English.

 

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JFS created the Wilson Family Assistance Program within its Reducing Achievement Gaps initiative.  Supported through a JFS multi-lingual Community Resource Specialist, the program provides one-on-one support to families facing challenges, such as not having enough food or clothing.  Services include access to community pantries, guidance in navigating the public benefits system, medical and mental health referrals, ESOL classes and legal assistance.  During the school year, the program also offers nutritional support through the Healthy Harvest and Weekend Nutrition programs, and donation drives provide children with backpacks to start the year off right and winter coats to keep them warm, as well as complete Thanksgiving Day turkey dinners so families can enjoy a bountiful holiday.

 

McLeans“Through the Wilson Family Assistance Program, JFS is helping families navigate life’s daily obstacles and challenges,” said Marc Jacobs, JFS CEO. “When struggling parents gain access to resources and services, it bolsters family stability, increasing the likelihood of success. We are grateful to the Foundation for MetroWest for supporting this important service and for the value it adds to the lives of the families.”

To learn more about the Wilson Family Assistance Program of Reducing Achievement Gaps, call 508-875-3100 or visit www.jfsmw.org.

About Foundation for MetroWest
Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the only community foundation serving the 33 cities and towns in the region. We promote philanthropy in the region, help donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serve as a resource for local nonprofits and enhance the quality of life for all our residents. Since inception, the Foundation has granted $11.6 million to charitable organizations and currently stewards more than $15 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact. To learn more, please visitwww.foundationformetrowest.org or call 508-647-2260.

About JFS of Metrowest
JFS is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to standing up for those left behind and provides services to over 4,500 people in need within the Metrowest region each year, including afterschool tutoring for at-risk children, nutrition assistance for low-income families, refugee resettlement case management and support services that enable frail older adults to live independently.  To learn more about JFS visit www.jfsmw.org.

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