TORONTO — People you would least expect are being affected by the current economic downturn, says Richard Cummings, executive director of Jewish Family and Child.
Richard Cummings
“Demand for our services is increasing, and it is among people across [the spectrum],” he said.
Monica Auerbach, JF&C’s director of York Region services, said that a number of families in Thornhill Woods took out large mortgages and subsequently lost their jobs or have had their hours decreased.
“They’re having trouble keeping up their payments, they’re stressed, and the whole family is being affected. Kids are sensing their parents anxiety, and they’re having issues at school,” she said.
“Some families lose their homes, are forced to move in with the grandparents and they in turn become anxious. This recession is affecting the whole community.”
Wendy Wolfman, the agency’s director of family and community services, added that the full impact of the recession has yet to be seen.
“Those who lost their jobs are still getting employment insurance. Our concern is that demand will spike when these [benefits] end. More and more people will come in for financial support. That is when we will see people [who were in a higher economic bracket] coming to our door.”
Clients are coming in at all stages, she said. “They could be looking for support from our financial assistance program – they must be on Ontario Works before they are eligible – for help with their kids, or for help dealing with the tension at home. When stress builds, there is an increase in domestic violence. We also see an increase in alcohol abuse and gambling. Some use gambling as a dream.”
One client was evicted from his apartment because he was unable to pay the rent, she said, and not only did he have to deal with downsizing, he needed to find an available and affordable apartment that was close to the Jewish community.
In another case, a woman came into the York Region office with her three children, Auerbach said, “and told us that she was still on maternity leave and her husband had lost his job. Winter was approaching and the kids needed boots, coats and pajamas. I was able to refer her to intake for financial assistance. She was embarrassed to ask for help, but she had no other support.”
She said that more and more middle class families are making use of the clothing depot at JF&C’s family resource centre inside the Promenade Shopping Centre. “For $10 a season, families can take part in a clothing exchange. They donate what their kids have outgrown, and they choose whatever other clothing is available. I don’t think this service would have been necessary two or three years ago.”
The agency has seen an increase of referrals to its women abuse program, Cummings said, because some men become abusive when they are under stress. “Money is the root of many problems, and poverty [brings about] a vulnerability in women and children.”
Stories bring the situation to life, he said. “Behind the numbers there are people who are trying to get through tough times.”
Wolfman said that people don’t understand the reality of the situation until it becomes personal. “They don’t grasp the concept of how quickly things can turn around. The community is slow in coming to terms with its challenges but we cannot turn a blind eye. This is reality.”
Simon Kalkstein, supervisor of JF&C’s Gordon W. Wolfe branch at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, said the situation downtown hasn’t changed drastically.
“The caseload is up, but not tremendously, and we are giving out more food vouchers.”
He continues to see people “who are having trouble juggling. Do they buy groceries or pay their utility bills? It’s ‘Sophie’s Choice.’ Do they pay rent or hydro? All this is not new, but I am seeing a little more.”
The problem, he said, is that it’s not clear if the economy has hit bottom. “We’re holding our own, but it’s not a good time. Thank goodness for the Jewish community.”
Cummings said that JF&C is particularly challenged, because hard times are befalling many clients at the same time as cutbacks are happening at the agency. “Where do we cut? If we reduce services [we would cause] the perfect storm.
“Icannot emphasize enough that not only are we keeping the same level of services, we are trying to increase them. Our mandate is to support the vulnerable and keep our families safe. We are being fiscally responsible, and we keep our budget lean.”
There is no template for this situation, he said. “It is the first time in decades that so many people are affected.
“I feel passionate about telling our story. I want people to know what is going on, but I also want them to feel our optimism. There is help out there, and together we can get through this difficult time.”
