Project Ezrah has helped so many families in and around Teaneck and continually looks for ways to improve their support system. Project Ezrah’s primary goals are financial assistance and job placement, but like it’s name, Ezrah (help) offers multi-dimensional services to families who seek assistance.
Project Ezrah recently recruited Tamra Ackerman, a social worker, to join the team full time. Prior to Ackerman’s employment, cases were handled by subcontracted social workers. However, it became clear that this system was inefficient and an in-house social worker working together with the office staff would create a more streamlined process.
With this addition to the already exemplary staff at Project Ezrah, families are offered a much more cohesive strategy for success. “Tamra serves as the point person for close to 300 families who meet with her to discuss a variety of issues that include money management as well as day-to-day living concerns,” explained Robert Hoenig, executive director of Project Ezrah. A full-time social worker in place enables Project Ezrah to provide a greater capacity of resources, he added.
For the last 13 years before joining Project Ezrah, Ackerman worked at Jewish Family and Children’s Services in Clifton. During that time, she amassed a large network of resources and opportunities to help struggling families succeed. She is excited to share these findings with participants with whom she is consulting at Project Ezrah. Upon meeting with a new family, Ackerman evaluates their needs and designs a customized plan to help them obtain resources and benefits.
Throughout the process, she works with participants to provide the support they need to achieve their goals. Ackerman also collaborates with other organizations in the community such as Bikur Cholim and Tomchei Shabbos.
In addition to providing families with a fiscally responsible living plan, Ackerman offers her time to those individuals who need someone to talk to about the pressure that comes along with certain situations. “Now that I’m on board full time I hope to make Project Ezrah the place to go in Bergen County for any Jew in need of help,” commented Ackerman. “I’m eager for Project Ezrah to be a clearinghouse for referrals to resources and benefits in Bergen County.” According to Ackerman, whether it be a personalized plan for living or referrals to outside programs and options, people generally leave with a clearer outlook on life.
The new girl in town, Ackerman was concerned that it might take time to develop a connection with families with whom she meets. She is happy to report that she is building positive relationships on a daily basis and looks forward to helping as many families as possible.
For more information, please visit www.ezrah.org.
By Andrea Nissel
