SEPTEMBER 16 • 2021 | 17

conceptions about any Jewish 
organization is that they only 
serve Jewish individuals,
” Eadeh 
describes, “but we serve every-
body in our community.
“It doesn’t matter what any-
body’s income status is,
” Eadeh 
continues. “If somebody has 
a need, we will do our best to 
meet that need within our ser-
vices.
”
JFS helps refugees like those 
from Afghanistan from the day 
they arrive in the U.S. until the 
day they receive citizenship. 
Oftentimes, Eadeh explains, 
the organization, which always 
picks up refugees directly from 

the airport, is there waiting at 
the terminal as late as midnight.
“We initially take them to a 
hotel,
” she says, “or if they have 
friends or family in the area 
that are going to host them, we 
will take them to that home.
”
Once an apartment is ready, 
JFS helps refugees move in. The 
organization provides furniture, 
household goods, foods and 
everything else individuals or 
families need to initially build 
a life.
Then, they help refugees 
enroll in benefits, find ESL 
classes and identify employ-
ment opportunities. A vast suite 

of services geared specifically 
for employment also include 
micro enterprise development 
programs that help people start 
small businesses, if desired.

GETTING READY TO HELP
Since first working with Afghan 
refugee cases, Eadeh estimates 
that JFS has helped resettle 
166 individuals in the last six 
years. Now, in working with the 
national agency, the Washtenaw 
County organization has com-
mitted to assisting upwards of 
300 refugees between September 
2021 and March 2022.
To prepare for the influx, JFS 
is in talks with housing partners 
to increase housing options in 
the coming months. They’re 
also in the midst of creating a 
special language task force to 
further assist refugees who don’t 
speak English. In addition, JFS 
is beefing up their food pantry 
and building a commercial 
kitchen at the agency to meet 

the food needs of new clients 
and cases.
“One of our other most 
important efforts is to work 
with more employers,
” Eadeh 
says, “and increase the employ-
ment opportunities for the cli-
ents that we serve.
”
In being mindful of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, JFS 
also helps refugees access and 
receive vaccines. They provide 
PPE like masks and offer virtual 
school options for kids when 
needed. Despite the health 
crisis and past lockdowns, JFS 
did not encounter any lapses in 
services.
“Our goal is to provide a safe 
place for people to land that 
have fled really, really danger-
ous situations,
” Eadeh says. 
“Part of that mission is to assist 
individuals and make sure that 
they have a place to land where 
they feel safe with opportunities 
to achieve their dreams and 
goals.
” 

The JFS offices

We could use a hand.
We could use a hand.

Are you looking
Are you looking for
for a meaningful
meaningful way
way to
to give back?
give back?

Jewish Family Service has multiple opportunities for
you to spend your time making a difference in the lives 
of those we serve. 

Whether you’re looking to volunteer 
once or once a week, in-person or virtually,
we would love to hear from you. 

Bilingual Russian speakers are especially needed. 
Bilingual Russian speakers are especially needed. 

For more in
For more information contact:
ormation contact:

Melissa Pletcher 
248.592.3986 or mpletcher@jfsdetroit.org

jfsdetroit.org
jfsdetroit.org