2014 annual report

Gesher2013 2014 Annual Report

OUR GOAL

Facilitating smooth access to government and private programs for the members

of our community.

Medicaid

Save the Dream

SNAP (food stamps)

Down Payment Assistance

Child Care

Heap/Pipp

Emergency Furnace

Water/Sewer Discount

JFSA (Rent & Utilities)

EPP/CEI (Appliances)

Medicaid

Save the Dream

SNAP (food stamps)


Child Care

Heap/Pipp

Emergency Furnace




Medicaid

Save the Dream

SNAP (food stamps)


Child Care

Heap/Pipp

Emergency Furnace




Medicaid $885,000

Save the Dream $125,000

SNAP (Food Stamps) $62,400

Down Payment Assistance $60,000

Child Care $20,000

Heap/ Pipp $20,000

Emergency Furnace $18,000

Water/ Sewer Discount $13,680

JFSA $5,542

EPP/ CEI (Appliances) $3,000

In its first year July 2013- July 2014Gesher aided the community in securing

$1,212,622.00 worth of assistance

$1,212,622.00 In its first year July 2013- July 2014

Gesher aided the community in securing $1,212,622.00 worth of assistance

OUR PARTNERS

An initiative of Agudath Israel Midwest Region, Gesher helps eliminate cultural barriers to accessing

and applying for assistance programs and uses dedicated staff to help families meet the challenges

of financial hardship.

Navigat ing the inner workings of government programs poses an unnecessary, added strain to their

emotional overload. This is where Gesher steps in. In conjunction with the JFSA, they work to open

doors that are otherwise locked to those who need them. As community builders, the Federation and

Gesher create a synergy that fuels client referral on an individual level on behalf of the community.

Some of these include:

• TheGreaterClevelandFoodbank–designed topack,sortandultimatelydistribute fresh

produce to families that are financially challenged

• Gemach–awayforcommunitymemberstofillthevoidsinneedyhouseholdsthroughshar-

ing furniture, household items and most importantly, clothing

• Education–avirtualarmyofvolunteerswhoaregivenovertocultivatinglifeskillsthrough

extracurricular academic instruction

• Employment-implementingaself-sufficiencyinterventionthatincludesemploymentand

housing stabilization elements

When Gesher and the Federation work hand in hand, they can make proactive efforts to create the

buildingblocksforClevelandcommunitylife.

KEY ALLIANCE

Gesher takes pride in its status as an Ohio Benefit Bank Pro site. Gesher was featured on the new online training of the OBB as being an outstanding Site.

AryehJosephisamemberoftheNorthEastOhioOut-reach & Enrollment Counsel, aswell as a part of theSteeringCommittee.HeisanactiveparticipantintheEducation&EnrollmentSubcommittee.Consequently,Gesher has hosted trainings from The Legal Aid Society with similar ones planned for the future.

Aryeh Joseph is amember of theHeights Family-to-Family Collaborative, an initiative of the Centers forFamiliesandChildren.

AryehJosephhasjustbeencertifiedasanOSHIIPvol-unteer to help those in need of assistance with Medi-care.

COMMUNITYINVOLVEMENT

& EDUCATION

Gesher Utilities Resource Fair in Conjunction With the Cleveland Housing Network

October 2013

The Cleveland Benefit & Resource CenterGesher

2120 South Green Rd. Suite 001, S. Euclid, OH 44121 / p. 216-862-4599 - 216-862-4837 / f. 216-862-4595 / [email protected]

Dear Partners & Supporters,

We hope you have enjoyed paging through this report. As is evident, the success of our first year has sur-passed even our own expectations. We have you to thank for turning our vision into a reality.

With an eye to the future, there are a number of projects we would like to add to the Gesher roster.

1) Website - the ability to access forms and applications, as well as other useful resources. This would streamline operations and save Gesher beneficiaries and employees valuable time. A website is also a way of providingaidinamorediscreetmannertopeoplewhofinditdifficulttostepforwardandrequesthelp.

2) Target marketing - educating the community about the services we provide. We would like to reach out to each sector of the community with the services that apply to them.

In addition, we could email updates to our clients when programs change, end, or new ones are added.

3) Medicare - Assisting those on or applying for Medicare in navigating the complexities of the system.

4)HEAP/PIPP-Apartnersite,enablingustoprocessapplications,therebyencouragingalargernumberofpeople to take advantage of this valuable service.

5)HealthInsurance-EducatingandassistingthoseeligibletoapplyforhealthinsuranceonHealthcare.gov.

6)CareerGuidance-Buildingresumewritingandinterviewingskillsandimpartingbusinessacumenknow-how.

7) Fiscal training - Providing education on financial responsibility, budgeting etc.

Looking forward to another rewarding year at Gesher!

Sincerely,

Aryeh Leib JosephA.vrohom Adler

Gesher

FUTURE PLANS

Documents

2014 annual report