The Marks JCH Good Neighbors Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) provides programs and services for adult 60 years of age and older who live in the Bensonhurst. Many of these seniors are Russian-speaking Jewish immigrants from Former Soviet Union. Good Neighbors provides the elderly of our community with a care management, helping them staying connected, ensure healthy living, and provide them with volunteer opportunities.
Thousands of seniors in our community live below the poverty line, lack support from their relatives, and live alone. Good Neighbors maintains a social safety net for these seniors providing them with everything from counseling and benefits assistance, to friendly visits and phone calls, and professional nurse care. The work of Good Neighbors is made possible by funding from the NY State Office for the Aging and the UJA-Federation of New York, and great work of the Marks JCH staff. This program is a worthy cause which creates a better quality of life for everyone.
It would be safe to say that the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst is the busiest place in southwestern Brooklyn. Each week, thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds crowd the corridors of the place on Bay Parkway lovingly known as the "J." That's because there's something for everyone here at the Marks JCH.
Since 1927, the Marks JCH has been the hub of activity for millions of people. Throughout the year, programs and services are offered for young and old alike...and we don't forget about everyone in between! Our highly trained professional staff works together to create activities and services designed with you in mind. From fitness programs to preschool and summer camp, to special services for seniors, teens and immigrants, we work hard to provide each and every individual with a high quality and meaningful experience. Our aim is to be responsive to the needs of our members, to help them in every way we can. People have come to rely on the Marks JCH in many ways.
It is our goal to build and sustain Jewish life in our community by providing affiliation opportunities for people of all ages. As part of the larger Jewish community center movement we value our obligation to Jewish continuity and education. We are an integral partner in the delivery of community-based, accessible social services that meet the present and emergent needs of our constituents. As part of this partnership, we value the collaboration of other community and citywide organizations to meet our goals. We respect our constituents and treat them with dignity.
In order to increase the health and well being of our constituents, we design programs and services that meet their expressed needs in a timely and responsive manner. We play an active role in the community-at-large including the public and private sector. Our doors are open to the multiple communities we serve and we pledge to a good neighbor, respecting the diversity of our constituents. It is our goal to leave a lasting impact on the lives of all those families and individuals who join us. The Marks JCH of Bensonhurst is a partner for life.
Name of Organization:Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst
Number of Paid Staff:
Number of Volunteers:
Total Organizational Expenses:$5,878,369
% of Organizational Overhead Expenses:20%
The unique features of our program is its focus on the Russian-speaking Jewish immigrant population of Bensonhurst and the ability of our staff who are a part of the same community to support these seniors and keep them involved and engaged in the community. Our staff has years of experience working with the seniors in our community and providing them with volunteering opportunities. Good Neighbors and the Marks JCH of Bensonhurst provide an all encompassing array of services to ensure the wellbeing of the members of our community.
On May 4, 2009, JCH Good Neighbors NNORC staff made a special visit to the home of Yenta Mogilner to celebrate her 100th birthday. Yenta and her 70+ year old on, Anatoliy, who lives with and cares for her, were pleased with the flowers, birthday cake and more. Yenta has a good sense of humor, and was joking with the staff. Yenta spoke of her difficult past, having lost her husband in World War II, and other family members in the Holocaust. Through Yenta and her son, memories and the spirit of Jewish culture and traditions remain alive. Her son has many pictures and letters, and stays in touch with relatives who live in the US, Israel, and Canada.
Clothing
Elderly
Hunger & Nutrition
Poverty
Edith and Carl Marks JCH Zehut Teen Center provides teens of our community with multiple opportunities to volunteer and serve their neighborhood. We have a number of youth clubs and projects which run all year round. One of these clubs is Big Brother Big Sister which pairs high school teen volunteers in a mentorship with junior high school children. Volunteers attend monthly education and community sessions where they learn about child development and spend time together as a group. In addition, each teen spends at least an hour a week with their little brother or sister in a safe environment of the J. We also host monthly volunteering excursions for the teens to various sites around New York City. Our largest event of the year is our Annual Brooklyn Mitzvah Day where hundreds of teens gather for a day of service at over a dozen places in New York.
We strive to engage our teens in intergenerational projects and initiatives to build a connection between the two groups. Through community projects and friendly visits to seniors teens understand the value and importance of supporting and caretaking of the elderly of their community. Donations to the Good Neighbors are another great way to help the seniors in our community and can be done in coordination with volunteer service.
Name:Alexander Bebeshko
Title:Team Services Coordinator
Address:7802 Bay Parkway
Telephone:718-331-6800
Email:Bebeshko@jchb.org
Website:www.jchb.org