Our Commitment to Service
Our Section’s Grants Committee awards small grants, not to exceed $500, to organizations that qualify under IRC501(c)(3) and assist women, children and families through their programs and initiatives.
Our Section supports Dawn’s Place, a shelter for survivors of sex trafficking.
We collect household cleaners, laundry soap, dish liquid, paper napkins, paper towels, toilet paper (single-ply only!), personal grooming products.… also NEW single bed sheets and non-perishable food. Please make your contributions to Dawn’s Place at any of our meetings.
Dawn’s Place is a residential, 501(c) 3 non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. For the safety of our residents, our exact location is undisclosed. We are governed by a dedicated board of directors, cared for by professional staff, and assisted by active and committed volunteers. Dawn’s Place is unique in that our program helps both foreign born and American women who have been victimized by Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE), commonly known as “sex trafficking” or slavery.
Dawn’s Place works to improve the lives of women trapped by, or at risk for, CSE by providing housing, trauma recovery services, vocational training and other services. We also raise awareness of CSE via education, prevention, public policy reform and community collaborations.
Our residents come to us with various backgrounds often including: incarceration, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, sexual abuse, childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, insufficient medical care, poor nutrition, and separation or estrangement from family and country of origin.
Through our residential program, the women can receive the important social enhancement, life skills, therapeutic and educational services necessary for their recovery after escaping a dangerous life of exploitation or slavery.
Women are referred to our program by various agencies, including: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, the State Department, Criminal Justice System, and social services agencies. Women may also refer themselves directly.
We Serve Breakfast to Families Whose Children Are At Ronald McDonald House
NCJW volunteers at Ronald McDonald House at Front St. & Erie Ave. provide breakfast and more to families staying there from out-of-town while their critically ill children receive treatment at St. Christopher’s Hospital.
To all participants in this “nourishing” program, know that you make a meaningful difference. Unforgettable are the words of one parent who looked at our volunteer group and said, wistfully, “This is what my mother would do for me if she could be here.”
Interested in becoming a volunteer? We arrive at 8:15 so we can set up and have food ready by 9:00.
Call Zelda Stern at 215-394-8335
The Corona virus has not halted our NCJW Greater Philadelphia Section’s support of the Guest Chef Program at the Ronald McDonald House. Although our members’ physical presence and cooking talents are on hold for the time being, Zelda Stern, who leads the program reports that funds provided by our Section will continue to help to provide breakfast. Breakfast is provided to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House while their critically ill children receive treatment at St. Christopher’s Hospital
Under Zelda’s leadership, our relationship with the Ronald McDonald House has grown. Our Section has been able to donate toys and games for their summer camp as well as warm clothing for family members coming from warm climates. Zelda is sent monthly updates on news and needs of the children and families served by the Ronald McDonald House.
Ronald McDonald House Update
The Ronald McDonald House has been closed to outside volunteers since the start of the pandemic. NCJW has sent a check to help support the Ronald McDonald summer camp program. This camp is for children recovering from cancer, and is usually held in August. We will let you know when the House reopens to volunteers, and we can get back to providing and serving breakfast to the wonderful families of the children hospitalized at St Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia.
Any questions about ways to help, please call, Zelda Stern at 215-394-8455.
We tutor and support students and parents at our adopted Benjamin Franklin Elementary School.
Join our wonderful NCJW group of volunteers at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, now in our sixth year. Work with our first and second graders to help them accomplish pre-reading and higher reading skills with individualized concentrated time and encouragement. We purchase school bags which are filled with school supplies for the students to start the year. We also provide for a community closet in the building where school staff can access warm clothing and school supplies for the students.
Please call Harriet Gran at 215-206-1026 or email hgranncjw@gmail.com.
Our Section Supports Holocaust Survivors and Liberators as They Educate School Students Throughout The Delaware Valley.
NCJW is asking anyone with a few hours to spare to sign up for The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center. The center will be happy to train anyone who is willing to help whether it means driving and/or facilitating. Please contact me. I will be happy to share details with you.
Thank you,
Judy Fried
(215) 245-1309 judyfried38@gmail.com
Due to COVID-19 HAMEC will only be presenting virtual programs via Google Meet, Skype and Zoom. All on-site survivor presentations at schools are suspended until further notice.
Our members help students learn about the Holocaust.
