Karsh Family Social Service Center Inc

GUIDED BY JEWISH VALUES, THE KARSH FAMILY SOCIAL SERVICE CENTER IMPROVES THE LIVES OF THE UNDERSERVED BY PROVIDING CRITICAL AND ACCESSIBLE SOCIAL SERVICES THROUGH DIRECT SERVICE OR COLLABORATION WITH OTHER PROVIDERS, WHILE ALSO INTEGRATING SIGNIFICANT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE A UNIQUELY POWERFUL WAY TO HELP REPAIR THE WORLD.

FOOD PANTRY - THE FOOD PANTRY IS A MODERN, WELCOMING, AND THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED FACILITY, ARRANGED TO COMPLY WITH THE LOS ANGELES REGIONAL FOOD BANK GUIDELINES, WITH AMPLE STORAGE SPACE FOR DRY, REFRIGERATED, AND FROZEN FOODS, THE KARSH CENTER CAN COMFORTABLY PROVIDE MORE THAN 600 BAGS OF GROCERIES OR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EVERY WEEK. WE ALSO SERVE AN ADDITIONAL 450 FAMILIES WEEKLY DELIVERING BAGS OF FOOD TO LOW INCOME HOUSING THROUGH OUR MOBILE FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM. THE FACILITY IS ALSO SPACIOUS ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE VOLUNTEERS WHO USE THE PANTRY TO ASSEMBLE AND DISTRIBUTE HEALTHY GROCERY BAGS FOR CLIENTS IN NEED.

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT - THE COMMITMENT OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE WORK AND SUCCESS OF THE KARSH FAMILY SOCIAL SERVICE CENTER. ENGAGING VOLUNTEERS AS A KEY COMPONENT OF DELIVERING SERVICE ALLOWS THE KARSH CENTER TO BE A CATALYST FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WISHING TO BE OF SERVICE AND HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS WHO ARE NAVIGATING CHALLENGES LIKE FOOD AND HOUSING INSECURITY, AND MORE. BUILDING ON A FOUNDATION OF WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE CONGREGANT VOLUNTEERS, THE KARSH CENTER VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM INCLUDES VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL OVER LOS ANGELES, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF OTHER FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AN ARRAY OF PROFESSIONALS SHARING PRO -BONO TIME, AND, INCREASINGLY, MEMBERS OF THE KOREATOWN COMMUNITY WHO RECOGNIZE THAT THE KARSH CENTER IS A PILLAR IN SUPPORTING THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, VOLUNTEER ROLES AND THE WAY WE ENGAGE HAS DIVERSIFIED AND DEEPENED. WE HOST RECURRING WEEKLY VOLUNTEERS, SPECIAL EVENT/ONE-TIME VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, AND STUDENT AND COMMUNITY INTERNS. VOLUNTEERS RANGE IN AGE FROM 3 YEARS OLD TO OVER 100 YEARS OLD, AND THEY SHARE THEIR TIME BOTH ON-SITE AND THROUGH REMOTE PROGRAMS. VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES RANGE FROM PACKING GROCERY AND DIAPER BAGS TO DOING OUTREACH TO CLIENTS ABOUT SERVICES TO SUPPORTING SPECIAL DATA PROJECTS, AND SO MUCH MORE. ACROSS THESE ACTIVITIES, WE ENGAGED AROUND 215 VOLUNTEERS IN FY20-21.

FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM - THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO CONNECT FAMILIES TO SERVICES THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES. THIS PROGRAM OFFERS FAMILIES WORKSHOP TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE; SUPPORT GROUPS TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS; DIAPER AND ESSENTIAL DISTRIBUTION TO MEET BASIC NEEDS; AND LINKEAGE AND REFERRALS TO INCREASE FAMILIES SUPPORT SYSTEM. FAMILIES ARE ALSO RECRUITED AND PRIORITIZED FOR OUR ANNUAL EVENTS. THIS YEAR, THE PROGRAM HAS SERVED 626 FAMILIES, WHICH INCLUDES OVER 1000 CHILDREN.

KARSH CENTER OFFERS AN ARRAY OF SERVICES WITHIN FOUR PROGRAM AREAS FOOD AND NUTRITION, LEGAL SERVICES, CHILD AND PARENT WELL-BEING AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS. IN COLLABORATIONW WITH OVER 34 ORGANIZATIONS, KARSH CENTER OFFERS VISON CARE, DENTAL CARE, GRIEF GROUPS, LEGAL CONSULTATIONS, ENGLISH CLASSES, NUTITION EDUCATION, AND ESSENTIALS SUCH AS CLOTHING VOUCHERS AND TOILETIRES. ADDITIONALLY, KARSH CENTER PROVIDES LINKEAGE AND REFERRALS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, LEGAL AID, JOB SEARCH, AND OTHER SERVICES. KARSH CENTER ALSO HOSTS FOUR ANNUAL EVENTS. 1) MOTHER'S/CAREGIVER'S DAY CELEBRATES PARENTHOOD AND HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF WELLNESS OF THE INDIVIDUAL THROUGH ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON MOVEMENT, RELAXATION, MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH. 2) BACK TO SCHOOL HELPS STUDENTS BECOME EXCITED AND PREPARE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR. STUDENTS AGES 4 -12 RECEIVE BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND PARENTS ARE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT RESOURCES. 3) BIG GIVE PROVIDES THANKSGIVING BAGS TO 1500 FAMILIES AND HELPS BUILD COMMUNITY 4) TOY GIVEAWAY PROVIDES TOYS FOR THE FAMILIES SERVED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PARENTS CHOOSE AND WRAP GIFTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.