The Center for Family Assistance (CFA) is a comprehensive resource for low-income individuals and families. By combining consultation and assessment with access to short-term financial assistance, CFA seeks to prevent or mitigate hardships, maintain good health, foster independence, and promote financial self-sufficiency. Many of those served are unemployed or underemployed, single parents, immigrant families, people living with disabilities, people struggling with an acute or chronic illness, victims of domestic abuse, and families facing homelessness.

The ultimate goal of our service is to give people the tools they need to become self-sufficient and meet their basic needs independently. Our professional staff is dedicated to providing confidential and dignified services and finding effective solutions. CFA has helped thousands of people through difficult times in their lives.

Our Services:

• Information and Referral – Links clients to benefit programs and services available at JF&CS and in the community, including housing, nutrition, legal, employment, educational, and job-training programs.
• Consultation and Assessment - The professional staff speak with clients to assess their unique situation. Based on that assessment, a comprehensive plan of action is developed.

• Financial Assistance - Provides emergency grants and may include assistance for housing, utilities, clothing, burial, transportation (when connected to sustaining a job), and other needs.

• Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) - JF&CS is the lead agency for the Newton, Waltham, and Watertown HPRP project. This is a federally funded stimulus grant to provide direct services and financial assistance to help people at risk for homelessness maintain their housing and to assist those who are currently homeless in obtaining housing. This project is available for renters only. Clients accepted into this program must meet HUD eligibility guidelines. Intake Line: 781-693-1372
  

• Hebrew Free Loan - Provides interest-free loans to individuals and families for emergencies, personal financial challenges, tuition and education-related costs, first-time home purchases, debt consolidation, starting a new small business, and special medical needs.

• Mitzvah to Mitzvah
  Offers financial assistance for costs associated with a Bar/Bat Mitzvah such as room rental, tutor, or Kiddush. Mitzvah Baskets provide an opportunity for those having a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or other simcha to support a child having a Bar/Bat Mitzvah by renting a floral basket arrangement.

• Holiday Toy Drive 

• Back to SchoolSupplies

• Camp Scholarships

For more information, call 781-647-JFCS (5327) or email your questions via our contact us page.