metro New Normal from page 8 It starts by getting to know you. Because the more I know about you the better I can help protect what's important in your world. And be there for you when you have a question or a concern. That's how I help people live the good life right here in Michigan. Shayna Levin 248-716-1001 46670 W. Pontiac Trail, Suite 6 Commerce Township shaynalevin@allstate.com Allstate. Call me for the protection you need and the service you want. GOOD HANDS for the GOOD LIFF Subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co.. Allstate Insurance Co. © 2013 Allstate Insurance Co, 1947850 NOWthru ER 18 2014 EVENT* • 110 HERSH'S 20% OF ite No limit. SUNDANCE 15% OFF S t rewide in stock only. ARGUERITE 20% O any 1 item. Some restrictions apply. LOSET NV 20% OFF select designer fashions, shoes & accessories. Some hand bags excluded. STEVEN FRANKLIN OPTICS available at JVS. As the impact of the recession became clear, Federation and its agencies reached out to the Jewish community to offer help. Signs stating "No family stands alone with information on how to obtain help, were posted at synagogues, temples and other sites. The Jewish Assistance Network was set up to coordinate services and enhance accessibility. (See sidebar.) "We wanted to provide a single point of entry for people who need- ed help," Ohren said. Families Still Behind Today the economy has improved. Michigan's unemployment rate was reduced to 7.4 percent in August, closer to the national rate of 5.9 percent; both are much lower than in 2008. Job growth is steady, home foreclosures have plummeted and the stock market has achieved some records. Yet leaders of Detroit's Jewish ser- vice agencies say many individuals and families have not regained what they lost during the recession — that a "new normal" is reflected in a continued high volume of calls and requests to the Jewish Assistance Network and other community resources. Yad Ezra, the kosher food pantry, provided free food to 1,700 families per month in 2008-09, according to Katie Wallace, marketing coordina- tor. While that number was reduced to 1,200-1,300 in 2011-12, she explained that this doesn't necessar- ily mean a similar decline in low- income families because some for- mer clients left the area to seek jobs. Other families moved in together to save money and now comprise one family unit. Temple Beth El members and Hiller's Market have provided fresh food packs for needy members of the Jewish community through its Mitzvah Meals program, which began in 2009. Despite the rebound- ing economy, individuals continue to ask to be included on the list. According to Mitzvah Meals Chair Deloris Weinstein, "One day you could be up and one day you could be down. People's situations improve and then they send in checks to donate" Ohren explained, "As people's portfolios get better that doesn't mean that other people's situations have improved. It is taking a long time for some to get over the reces- sion. The volume of requests has diminished somewhat, but it takes longer to help people." Some who still need help are older individuals who are too young for Social Security, the long-term unemployed and those with health problems. Blatt of JVS said, "We are not see- ing an enormous number of newly laid-off individuals, and new gradu- ates are doing a decent job finding jobs, depending on their fields:' However, some individuals were not able to find positions compa- rable to what they had before the recession and need career counsel- ing to help them consider and quali- fy for different careers. David Bartek, director of the 211 Help Line (similar to the Jewish Assistance Network) and Business Support at United Way of Southeast Michigan, reports a similar situation in the general community. While requests for assistance have declined somewhat, so has the region's popu- lation, he says. In addition, a lot of people went from unemployment to underemployment and continue to need "sustainable solutions:' Federation's Kaufman said, "While the situation has improved for many individuals and families in our com- munity, unfortunately, we're still not at pre-recession levels. A good num- ber of people in our community are living through a difficult situation that has become their 'new normal: "This is an important reason that support for Federation's Annual Campaign is so essential. We have to make sure we are providing our agen- cies with the funding they require to serve everyone in our community who needs assistance:' ❑ 20% OFF in stock frames w/purchase of rx lenses. 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A single call to JAN at (248) 592-2650 will connect an individual with one or more agencies appropriate to help with their needs, including emergency financial assistance.