We Couldn't Have
Done It Without You!

assistance to the elderly and disabled.
Refugees and asylum-seekers were
made eligible for SSI for seven years,
with the belief that they could natu-
ralize within this time period.
Because of processing delays, diffi-
culty learning English and a cap on
the number of asylum-seekers issued
green cards each year, seven years is
not long enough for many individuals
to become citizens.
As a result, these elderly and dis-
abled refugees are being cut off from
SSI benefits and face hardship and
poverty
Legislation has been introduced in
both chambers of Congress to provide
an additional two years of SSI to eld-
erly and disabled refugees. The legisla-
tion has bi-partisan support in both
chambers and President Bush has rec-
ognized this problem as one needing
an immediate solution. The Jewish
Community Council asks you to urge
your senators and representatives to
cosponsor the "SSI Extension for
Elderly and Disabled Refugees Act"
(S.453/H.R.899).
Senior Transportation: The Jewish
community is concerned about the
lack of funding for senior transporta-
tion, which allows seniors to age in
place. Providing such support services
is significantly less expensive than
other forms of care, such as nursing
homes. The House and Senate have
passed their transportation bills and
are now entering a conference com-
mittee to reconcile differences
between the two bills. Final legislation
should include the best features of
both bills, where there are differences.
First, Congress should increase
funding for the Federal Transit
Administration's (FTA) Section 5310
program. The Senate's bill provides
more than $232 million in funding
for this program.
Second, Congress should allow
states to have more flexibility in their
use of Section 5310 funds by allowing
those funds to be utilized for operat-
ing expenses as well as capital expen-
ditures, a provision included in the
House bill.
Third, Congress should authorize a
national technical assistance center to
share models and best practices related
to senior transportation, a provision
that was included in the Senate's bill. ❑

Compiled by Eric Adelman of the
Jewish Community Council of
Metropolitan Detroit, and Susan
Herman and Jeannie Weiner of the
Michigan Jewish Conference; edited by
Harry Kirsbaum, staff writer.

Over 325 volunteers from
Federation partner agencies
and congregations made
thousands of calls and raised
$1.2 million at this year's
CAMPAIGN COUNTDOWN.

On behalf of the people you've helped locally
and throughout the world...

Participating Agencies

BBYO
Akiva Hebrew Day School
Fresh Air Society
Hebrew Free Loan Association
Hillel Day School
Hillel of Metropolitan Detroit
Hillel MSU
Hillel - U of M
Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit
Jewish Apartments & Services
Jewish Community Center
Jewish Family Service
Yeshiva Beth Yehuda
Yeshiva Darchei Torah

Participating Congregations

Adat Shalom
Beth Ahm
B'nai Moshe
Beth Shalom
Shaarey Zedek
Shir Tikvah
Temple Beth El
Temple Israel
Temple Kol Ami
Temple Shir Shalom
Young Israel of Oak Park

A special thanks to our

GOLDEN PHONE AWARD WINNER
Yeshiva Beth Yehuda

2005 Campaign Countdown Co-Chairs

Regina Colton

Sharon Lipton

Baylee Shulman

Mark Milgrom

2005 Annual Campaign Co Chairs

-

Marta Rosenthal

Michael Horowitz

FEDERATION'S

2005

ANNUAL
CAMPAIGN

1;E Fifth Third Bank

Together.

We can do a world of good.

Working Hard To Be The Only Bank You'll Ever Need.

This is Federation

5/26
2005

wvvw.thisisfederation.org

979900

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