Mignon Joli Courtney always took pride in her independence. The 27-year-old single mother had managed to hold down a job, pay her bills, care for her daughter, and, more recently, juggle classes at the University of Phoenix – without having to seek out public assistance.
Then last month, Courtney found her seemingly stable life and Christian faith challenged when she suddenly lost her job as a custodian at Denver Health. With her $669 rent due, Courtney searched for a new job, contacted nearly a dozen social service agencies for financial help, and prayed that God would somehow provide.
During a phone conversation, a friend tried to encourage Courtney by reminding her of a message from a recent sermon: “Don’t give up. Let God do it.” Just seconds later, the phone rang. It was Shelly Hines, Safety Net case manager at Jewish Family Service in Denver.
“She was like, ‘We don’t have that many funds … but we’re going to help,”‘ Courtney recalled on Wednesday as she wiped away tears. “I was ashamed at first. I never had to have that kind of help.”
But Hines was compassionate, Courtney said. “She didn’t make me feel small at all. They were my angels.”
The Family Safety Net program at Jewish Family Service, 3201 S. Tamarac Drive, was designed to reach out to clients like Courtney – those who find themselves in crisis caused by job loss, medical problems or other unexpected happenings. The agency is seeking funding from the Post/News Season to Share campaign this year.
“A lot more people are calling in needing help,” said Hines. She said there has been a 31 percent jump in clients in the past year.
The Safety Net program has three components. The Emergency Assistance Program, which helped 121 families in the last year, provides rental assistance on an emergency basis.
The Weinberg Food Pantry provides food boxes to needy clients every Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanks to donations from various groups and Whole Foods supermarket, the pantry is able to provide dairy products and fruits to clients. But there is a great need for baby diapers and toiletries, said Amy Halperin Wood, director of the Family Safety Net program.
The third service is Community Life Projects, which allows the agency to provide Christmas or Hanukkah gifts to their most needy clients and school supplies to the children of clients.
While about 40 percent of the clients are Jewish, the agency has helped people since 1872, regardless of faith, race, creed or sexual orientation.
Courtney, who said she “never thought I would be without a job,” is scheduled for another interview she hopes will allow her to continue supporting her family.
She also hopes to one day open her own agency to help people, but doesn’t regret having to receive help from JFS. “I thank God for this because it humbled me a lot,” she said. “Anybody could be subject (to a crisis),” she said. “Even you.”
Staff writer Karen Rouse can be reached at 303-820-1684 or krouse@denverpost.com.
How to help
Post-News Season to Share, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, gave more than $1.73 million to 56 agencies last year serving children, and people who are hungry, homeless or in need of medical care. Donations are matched 50 cents to the dollar, and 100 percent of the donations go to the charitable agencies. To contribute, please see the coupon on this page, call 888-683-4483 or visit seasontoshare.com.
