Argentina Update

JDC 6 Month Report

FACTS

50% of population is living below the poverty line
Daily protests against the government
Economic and emotional meltdown continues
Further devaluation of the peso
No money available in banks. Savings accounts and fixed term deposits are frozen
04,000 jobs have been lost in the past 6 month
12,500 small businesses have closed since January 2002
More than 70% of Jewish owned small businesses have closed
Memberships in Jewish community centers and Jewish day schools is at an all time low
1,800 new people are added to the JDC caseload every mont

JDC/FEDERATION RESPONSE

JDC provides food vouchers, clothing and rent subsidies for the 26,000 people in its caseload
In partnership with AMIA, 2,000 children in 33 day schools are being provided with daily meals
The need for medicines is rising. JDC is expanding the amount of medicines being distributed through the local Social Assistance Centers (CASS)
Free legal counseling is available for those needing assistance due to eviction, problems meeting mortgages and inability to pay rent and utilities
The Ariel Job Center, a partnership with the Tzedaka Foundation, continues to work with unemployed professionals and developing small businesses
JDC provides consulting and assistance in the reorganizing of Jewish communities through the merging of Jewish day schools, synagogues and community centers to preserve the stability and viability of local institutions
JDC and its partners conduct community building events like Pesach Together (communal seders attended by over 15,000) and Shavuout Together (a night of study and celebration attended by over 13,000)

ARIEL JOB CENTER
The goal of the Ariel Job Center is to help people get their professional lives back on track. There are 2 aspects of the Job Center that allow this to happen, the Employment Area and the Small Business Area.

Through the Employment Area (open since November 2001):

109 people found jobs
2077 resumes entered on the database
484 individual job interviews conducted
913 people trained for new jobs

The small business sector of the Job Center has consulted in the start up of a number of new businesses. 27 new businesses are up and running and more than 136 are in development. There are also new businesses with different professionals cooperating, receiving loans and consultation.

REORGANIZING
JDC is continuing its consulting and assistance in the reorganizing of the Argentine Jewish Community to ensure both short-term stability and long-term viability of local institutions. 12 teams of consultants are currently working at the different processes. Approximately 36,000 people will benefit from this.

WINTER DAY CAMPS, JULY 2002
During the winter school recess, children stay at home without any organized activity. Parents have no other alternative than to stay home to take care of them instead of looking for a job. While at home, children don't receive the free meal that they would eat at school, adding another hardship for the family. JDC provided transportation to the day camp, and a meal for the children. Other institutions provided the facilities and professionals for the activities.

JDC partners in this initiative were: FACCMA (Federation of JCCs in Argentina), Conservative Movement, Chabad Lubavitch, Sephardi community and the several Jewish Communities of the provinces. Around 5,000 children participated in the day camps all over the country.

"TOGETHER" FOR THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS
Being together for the Jewish Holidays is a way to gather the Jewish Communities in a difficult time and use the crisis as an opportunity to get the people "TOGETHER". Every quarter celebrating a Jewish holiday, reaching all the Jewish people in the country. During the second half of 2002, Rosh Hashana and Hanukkah will be celebrated "together".

LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Legal Assistance is now available in every Social Assistance Center (CASS). Most of the clients seek legal assistance to avoid eviction, negotiate debts, and obtain a pension. Professionals serve the beneficiaries free of charge, managing cases, providing orientation and litigating in court.

HILLEL ARGENTINA
The local branch of Hillel was launched in June. JDC will contribute its expertise in the areas of Hesed: voluntarism and welfare, leadership training and employment advice.

BACK TO SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Back to School Program continues to expand the number of needy students assisted with scholarships and counseling. Generated together with Keren Hayesod, this program has the mission of bringing kids back to Jewish schools to give them the possibility to be brought up in a Jewish environment. The number of students under this program has increased from 90 to 195 in less than a year. The number of participating schools has gone from 5 to 13 in the same period.

RADIO JAI
JDC launched a Radio Talk Show program on RADIO JAI FM in mid June. The 30-minute broadcast airs Monday to Thursday. The purpose of the program is to offer support, counseling by experts, and information on the ongoing programs of the JDC and other partners both in the Jewish community and beyond. During the first weeks, many people phoned and were referred to the
appropriate programs. People called not only to ask for help, but also to offer goods in kind, clothing and volunteer services. Listeners were grateful to have a way to receive support and information daily and through the radio.

OVERWHELMING INCREASE IN THE REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE

JDC registers 90 new people every day at the CADOSS (Social Assistance Center for Attention, Referral and Orientation).
Every month 1800 people are joining the welfare relief program.If the trend continues, another 10,800 people will need to be added to the caseload by the end of the year.
There are 2,460 individuals waiting to be admitted to the system. This requires additional Social Assistance Centers and longer work hours at the existing centers.

JOINING EFFORTS
During the last 5 months, a major focus for JDC was to establish the Welfare and Solidarity Coalition with all of the major Jewish organizations in Argentina. JDC established the coalition in order to coordinate all of the efforts of the major organizations providing welfare: Tzedaka Foundation, AMIA, Sephardic Community, Conservative Movement, Chabad Lubavitch, Jewish Communities of the Provinces.

FINANCIAL NEEDS
This dramatic downward spiral has accelerated the financial needs of this once-vibrant Jewish community. JDC needs $23 million covering both 2002 and 2003.

For more information, please contact: argentina@jdcny.org