Members from Latter-day Saint Charities and the LJD Jewish Family & Community Services explore exhibits at the Frisch Family Holocaust Memorial Gallery.

Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently donated funds to The LJD Jewish Family & Community Services to provide local struggling individuals and families, including seniors, with housing assistance.

The one-time payment is estimated to assist more than 80 households in Northeast Florida, including Clay County, during the next year. The goal is to allow families to remain in their homes wherever possible.

“Emergency Financial Assistance is the heart of JFCS wraparound care, keeping families safe, together and in their homes,” said JFCS Chief Executive Officer Colleen Rodriguez. “For families struggling with poverty, whether generational or situational, housing stability is a top barrier to family safety and wellbeing.”

Clay County Latter-day Saints churches on Fleming Island, Middleburg and Orange Park participated.

Flexible funding from Latter-day Saint Charities will allow The JFCS to directly address the needs of families in crisis and help them achieve housing stability. This funding will allow JFCS to meet people where they are and provide the support that makes sense for each family. Whether it’s rent, utilities, a car repair (so a mom can get to work), prescription assistance (so a dad can stay healthy and able to work or be in school), or a GED program (so a mom can earn higher pay)... that’s a win for the entire family. With support tailored to each family, JFCS can help families build the skills and resources to achieve and maintain true housing stability.

Latter-day Saint Charities is committed to supporting local non-profit organizations with interfaith efforts to achieve the greatest good. JFCS met the criteria for support due to its long-standing impact in this area and the impressive programs in place to help those in need in many ways.

The two organizations have also collaborated to provide food assistance to the JFCS’ registered program participants as a separate initiative. In 2022, the Max Block Food Pantry served more than 174,699 meals to more than 19,000 clients.