May 24, 2010 (New York, NY) –Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty  (Met Council) is facing cuts to some of its most innovative and effective programs that help hundreds of Holocaust survivors and frail elderly New Yorkers stay secure and independent in their homes throughout Brooklyn and Queens.

Each year through Project Metropair, Met Council provides handyman services to install grab bars and window guards, strengthen door locks and repair smoke detectors for hundreds of eligible seniors and Holocaust survivors in need.  In addition, Project Machson distributes new and gently-used furniture to households in need.  These programs are especially critical for low-income seniors who reside in sub-standard housing and who lack the resources or support systems to move or make repairs.

But unfortunately, due to budget cuts and a difficult fundraising climate, Met Council has not been able to keep pace with the need.  Currently we can retain only three handymen to perform repairs and two trucks for delivering furniture, down from seven trucks just a few years ago.  Meanwhile, waiting lists for these programs number in the hundreds and are growing day by day.

“It is incredibly frustrating to realize the incredible needs that are not being met,” said William E. Rapfogel, CEO and executive director of Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.  “Especially when you consider the enormous cost savings for taxpayer money that come from these preventative programs – you want to make every push you can so that they can continue.

Met Council is launching a new campaign called Safe at Home in hopes that increased funding will enable us to provide this critical service to more frail elderly throughout New York City. To learn more, visit www.metcouncil.org.

(YWN Desk – NYC)