Golden Valley-Based Nonprofit Urges Lawmakers to Take Bold Action on Pandemic Relief

Minnesota nonprofits are urging lawmakers to take quick and bold action on pandemic relief. Last week, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Minnesota Budget Project, a research and advocacy organization, hosted a press conference to address the pandemic impacts.

Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS), a Golden Valley-based nonprofit, was one of the several nonprofits that participated.  

“The plea to Congress is to put politics aside and to get back to work at creating opportunities for people to be helped,” said Judy Halper, CEO for JFCS. 

Judy Halper, CEO of Jewish Family and Children’s Service.

Halper said she anticipates needs to continue going up due to COVID-19 and the civil unrest. 

“I can foresee there’s going to be a lot of people who are needing mental health assistance that aren’t getting it,” Halper said. “A lot of people losing homes because they don’t have financial assistance, may no longer have jobs.”

As the situation worsens, Halper believes previous policy actions like the CARES Act will prove to be insufficient.

In a JFCS press release, it reports that the number of Minnesotans turning to food assistance through the SNAP program increased 14%. It also reports 16% of Minnesota households are falling behind on rent. 

For a century, JFCS has helped thousands of Minnesotans in need. The question now is whether anyone will help the helpers. 

“Without financial assistance from federal and local government the ability to to provide help won’t be there,” Halper said.

She added that even once the pandemic is under control, more resources will be needed as Minnesotans will still be suffering for a long time. 

“Human service nonprofits historically see the impact of crisis and trauma long after the event has occurred,” Halper said. 

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