JVS Refugee Resettlement Program

Sack some school supplies for those in need
 
The start of school is just around the corner, and with it comes back to school shopping! Many Jewish Vocational Service refugee clients struggle to make ends meet – putting food on the table and paying the rent, so purchasing extra things like school supplies for their children is tough. However, you can jump start their return to school!
JVS is conducting a Back to School Supply Drive for our clients. A variety of new items are needed:
·         Crayons
·         Pencils & pens
·         Scissors
·         Spiral notebooks
·         Glue & glue sticks
·         Backpacks
·         Notebook paper
In addition, JVS is helping families with some of their clothing needs as well. We are seeking donations of new socks and underwear in all sizes for children. Donations of these supplies can be dropped off at JVS offices, 1608 Baltimore, Kansas City, Mo., or in a designated collection barrel at the Jewish Community Campus, 5801 W. 115th St, Overland Park, KS. Monetary donations may also be made to purchase school supplies by writing a check to JVS School Supply Drive and sending it to the agency’s office.

Supplies will be distributed to refugee children before the start of school. 
For more information about the school supply drive, please call Jennifer Foster, Manager for Refugee Client Services at (816) 471-2808, ext. 1153.

Headline: JVS provides helping hand with healthcare
 
Jewish Vocational Service is one of a select number of Kansas City agencies participating in “Healthy People, Healthy Communities,” an initiative of United Way of Greater Kansas City. The program is an effort to reach out to the immigrant and refugee populations and assist them in hooking up with government healthcare coverage.
“They have to be here legally and eligible for benefits to participate,” said Steve Weitkamp, JVS Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services. “We’re walking them through the paper trail and taking them to the appropriate departments in Kansas and Missouri to make things happen.”
A number of the refugees and immigrants involved have employment but are waiting to be eligible for health coverage or cannot afford the coverage and need another option. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) program provides them with healthcare coverage. CHIP is a program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides matching funds to states for health insurance to families with children. The program was designed with the intent to cover uninsured children in families with incomes that are modest but too high to qualify for Medicaid .
Weitkamp said it is challenging to find these people.
“Many of these communities are isolated and we have to find a way to locate them, collect the appropriate data and help them access the system,” he said.
The $70,000 grant from United Way underwrites staff working on the Healthy People, Healthy Communities program and various materials used to find the targeted groups. JVS staff hopes to reach about 700 people by the end of the year by participating in area health fairs as well as placing flyers in area hospitals and community centers.
 “We want these ‘New Americans’ to make positive contributions to our country and to realize the promise of the American Dream,” Weitkamp said. “This can’t happen unless they are able to safeguard their health and the health of their children.”
For more information about the Healthy People, Healthy Communities program through JVS, contact Hildy

In January 2004, the Jewish Vocational Service Center for New Americans assumed the responsibility of refugee resettlement in western Missouri, a service previously administered by the Don Bosco Nationalities Center since December 1975. The USCRI (United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants) is the primary funding partner for JVS Center for New Americans.

Programs and Services offered

How you can participate at JVS

  • Become a donating member. Private funds support all of JVS’s programs and services.
  • Donate goods to help a refugee family start their life in the US. Call JVS or check our website for an updated list of the items needed by new refugee arrivals.
  • Volunteer your time to mentor a family or teach English.



For more information contact Steve Weitkamp, Director of Refugee, Immigration, Language & Cultural Services at sweitkamp@jvskc.org or (816) 471-2808.

United States Committee for Refugees & Immigrants.


www.refugees.org/