Framingham, MA – January 20, 2023 – Brisk weather, light-decorated homes and scenes of snow-blanketed landscapes are the hallmarks of the winter holiday season. The festivities of the season, however, stand in sharp contrast to the plight of the poor, struggling to meet their families’ basic needs, given the rising cost of rent, heat, food, winter clothing, and other necessities.
For many among us who fled their homelands to escape the trauma and destitution suffered there, opportunity and refuge in this country, without humanitarian assistance, remain beyond reach. Thanks to a generous grant from the Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, awarded to Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest, hundreds of Metrowest area immigrants and refugees, many facing homelessness and hopelessness, will receive the assistance they need to meet basic needs during the winter season and beyond; and will be given the resources required to successfully navigate their new homeland.
The Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund supports and promotes quality educational, human services, and health care programming for underserved populations. The $50,000 grant provides JFS increased capacity to assist Metrowest area low/no income, highly vulnerable, immigrant and refugee families with young children, including recent Ukrainian and Afghan deportees.
“I want to express sincerest thanks to the Foundation for this generous award,” said Chief Performance, Learning and Strategy Officer, Rosemarie Coelho. “JFS is working currently with 51 Afghan Evacuees, 90 Ukrainians war refugees and 5 of the Venezuelan asylum seekers sent by Florida’s Governor DeSantis to Martha’s Vineyard from Texas. This grant comes at a crucial time, and we are truly grateful for this grant and partnership.”
This one-year grant was made in support of JFS’ work with Immigrant & Refugee Family Assistance. Bank of America, N.A., as Trustee of the Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund, is responsible for the management of the Fund’s assets and administration of its grantmaking program and ensures that the philanthropic intentions of the donor are honored.
About Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest
Founded in 1979, JFS is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to Accelerating Social, Academic and Health Equity and serves over 7,500 people within the Metrowest and Greater Boston regions each year. Programs and services support the academic success of at-risk children, provide basic needs and case management assistance for low-income families, and support the needs of frail older adults so they may live safely and independently in the community. JFS’ sound fiscal management practices have earned it a 4-star rating (with a 100% PERFECT SCORE!) from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. To learn more about JFS, visit JFSMW.ORG.
JFS of Metrowest
Amanda Coughlin
Senior Director
acoughlin@jfsmw.org
508-875-3100 x340