Looking Forward
and Paying Back
The Mandell JCC’s Financial Assistance Program

“I am not even Jewish. But the Mandell JCC helps everyone. It says a lot about the JCC and what they stand for. It is my community, and I love and care about all the people there. They made so much possible by meeting me halfway.”

This single mom was juggling two young children while caring for her mother who was suffering from ALS. She needed a preschool for her sons and knew from its stellar reputation that she wanted to enroll them at the Mandell JCC’s Early Childhood Center (ECC). “I knew I wanted my sons at the ECC because they would always have a place to come back to, they would always have a community for the rest of their lives.”
Sadly, with her caregiving duties, she was unable to work at the time and could not afford tuition. She understood that her children urgently needed this opportunity for their intellectual and social development, so she applied for financial aid and “it was graciously awarded.” Due to capacity, only one of her children was able to attend, but with the membership that is included with the ECC, she was able to bring her younger son to an array of programs from swimming, to Mommy and Me, The Family Room, Jonathan’s Dream, Sticky Fingers, karate and more.

When summer rolled around, she wanted to enroll her children in JCC camp because of her implicit trust in the staff, but still was unable to work. Karen Wyckoff, Mandell JCC Program Director, was instrumental in providing financial aid. The mom shares that her children “talk about Camp Shalom all year ‘round and can’t wait for summer.”
Happily, this mom is newly employed and “can support herself and pay her bills.” She gleefully shared with the JCC staff that she will no longer require financial aid and wants to ensure that the funds are there to help others who need it. “I plan to give back to the community to help others who may need financial aid in the future.”
“If it wasn’t for the JCC, my kids would have missed out on years of instrumental development. The experiences they have had will last a lifetime, and will impact the people that they will grow to be.”

The Mandell JCC’s Financial Assistance Program does so much more than making the JCC affordable for our community. Our generous Community Donor Circle members make it possible to provide access to meaningful and unique programming that engages and enriches every member of our community. They make it possible for us to keep our commitment to ensuring that no one is denied membership, summer camps, or preschool because of inability to pay. We also currently provide assistance for refugee families from Afghanistan and Syria for membership and camps.
We take pride in our ability to provide opportunities for people of every age and stage to be a part of a place where our community comes together for celebration, education, recreation and transformation of all kinds.

For more information about financial aid at the Mandell JCC, contact Kim Corona, kcharron@mandelljcc.org.