The fact that there are economic woes in the Baltics is hardly “news” these days. But new to the media scene is how JDC is helping battle rising rates of unemployment and poverty among Jews in those countries—especially those who had managed to work their way into the middle class over the past number of years, only to find themselves knocked back down a number of rungs amidst the global financial crisis.
The launch of two of JDC’s successful Ariel Job Centers in Riga, Latvia and Tallinn, Estonia was picked up recently by e-Jewish Philanthropy and JTA.
The centers—based on our pioneering model that continues to help Argentina’s Jews recover in the wake of that country’s economic crisis—provide seminars, classes and training on job hunting, interviewing, resume building, as well as computer and other professional skills that will help make local Jews more marketable for employment opportunities.
Job training is just one aspect of JDC’s support for the local communities. We expect to provide assistance such as food, medicines, and rent subsidies to more than 7,000 Baltic Jews in need in 2010—an increase of 50% in one year.
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