“I’m a single mom and it’s a struggle. When you have one paycheck, everything helps.” My son and I came from Israel. We’ve been here two years. I’m working and it’s a struggle. The food pantry’s a huge help. It let me put a little bit of money away, $5, $10 a week,...

“The pantry has a way of making us feel like guests and not people in need.”It’s been 25 years since I came to the Y with my kids, and then my knees were bad so there were a few problems. But my daughter kept saying, ‘Go to the Y, go to the Y.’Finally, thank God, last...

“Every person has innate dignity, no matter who you are. My staff feel the same way. They stay later, and see more clients than is possible, all because they love helping.”We’re here on the frontline of poverty. Every day we see people who are very ill, who need help...

“I know I can do the work. What I’m looking for is a place of employment that will have some empathy.” I have multiple sclerosis, and it’s been bad for me the last five, six years. I’m still walking, thank God. You can’t quit. You have to keep moving and be thankful...

“I’m on the autism spectrum. I find socialization very, very difficult sometimes. You can imagine as a job seeker how difficult that would be at times.”  I majored in philosophy at college and graduated summa cum laude. My struggles aren’t academic. I thought I’d...

“We like the social aspect of coming together with UJA Pride to do good.”  Love was already in the air between us when Evan and I decided to go on a UJA Pride mission to Cuba. The trip piqued our interest and then we started going to more events. We like that UJA...

“This summer helped me find more of myself and connect to my Jewish identity.” This is my first year in high school, so being at Sababa Surf Camp this summer really helped me. I’ve made so many friends who’ve become my family.Being on the beach, just staring out at...

“I have macular degeneration, so I can’t go shopping on my own, but with my social worker I’m able to maintain my independence. And my spirit.”  My husband and I went through a lot. He became my boyfriend when we were both 14 years old. He was six months older than...