The San Francisco office of the American Jewish Congress has come up with a unique twist on the how-to manual.
Rather than creating a document that focuses on building or fixing some item, the AJCongress’ manual addresses how to repair something much more important — a person’s life.
In particular, the pamphlet is targeted at people who are on the brink of financial disaster. The publication is part of the AJCongress program titled “Prevention First: Helping Congregations Help At-risk Congregants,” a prevention program that synagogues and churches can use to help “at-risk” congregants through difficult times.
“This is targeted at the vulnerable lower-middle class to prevent them from becoming in the future very poor or homeless,” said Tracy Salkowitz, AJCongress executive director, who’s coordinating the project.
The project has been in the works for nearly two years. While the detailed how-to manual is complete, the program and distribution of the pamphlet are on hold pending grant allocations.
With sufficient funding, the AJCongress will add paid staff to implement Prevention First at churches and synagogues in the Bay Area. The manual, however, could play anywhere in the country, said Salkowitz.
“At this point, it’s within our capacity to do consultations,” said Salkowitz. “But we want to be able to develop collaborations with congregations with ongoing training, education and evaluation of their programs.”
Prevention First is designed to assist when spiritual guidance is not enough. The program is based on the idea that confronting practical matters — like dealing with creditors or finding temporary housing — can provide the much-needed relief.
“Typically, congregations have overworked clergy. But people are still more likely to go to their religious institution than an agency for help. They’re paralyzed when they experience loss,” said Salkowitz. “The biggest challenge is helping them take the first step toward their new life.”
The key to the program may lie in the development of volunteer peer counselors within a congregation. These volunteers would be recommended by the pastor or rabbi to be trained by the AJCongress and work directly with the congregants.
Once trained by AJCongress staff, the counselors would help educate, provide resource referrals and advise the person or family in jeopardy.
“The peer advisers should not be opinionated. They should be respectful of privacy and they could also arrange for [community] services,” said Salkowitz. “They are not there to do everything for [those seeking help]. The program is about enabling people to make it over the emotional hurdle and take the first step.”
The religious community and social service agencies have been enthusiastic about the Prevention First model, according to Salkowitz. The program’s advisory committee includes representatives from such organizations as the Koret Foundation, Peninsula Temple Beth El, St. Anthony Foundation and the National Council of Churches.
The San Francisco Foundation has helped fund the project during this incubation stage. “This kind of step forward can’t solve the overall societal program, but it makes a whole lot of sense,” said Joe Brooks, S.F. Foundation’s program executive for neighborhood and community development. “The whole idea of dealing with people on the edge, before they go over the edge, makes a lot of sense.”
Brooks sees the endeavor as “community building,” with peer counselors providing much of the glue.
“A lot of people want to help and do the right thing, but they just don’t know where to plug in,” he said. “Congregations have volunteers already. People want to have a sense of purpose. The approach of using people who are more fortunate as resources and mentors will make all the difference in the world to vulnerable families. And they’ll have a greater impact if they are doing it as a team.”