B’nai B’rith is a globally recognized leader in the fields of senior housing and aging, and has been a solid advocate for seniors in the United States for decades. We regularly meet with lawmakers to discuss the unique plight of the elderly in the United States and around the world. We speak out against legislation that could harm the often vulnerable senior population. We teach leaders at our low-income senior housing facilities practical lessons in such topics as suicide and bullying prevention.
Seniors: Housing
Access for low-income seniors to safe and affordable housing is one of our main organizational priorities, and what we have learned from more than 40 years in the field has shaped the rest of our aging policy agenda.
B’nai B’rith is the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income housing for seniors in the United States, with 42 buildings in 26 communities. We also sponsor six buildings located in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Canada, as well as additional facilities around the world. In the United States, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), we provide safe, affordable housing for more than 8,000 seniors of limited income without regard to race, national origin or religion. In order to fulfill our mission and standards of operations for each building, B’nai B’rith staff provides ongoing training, troubleshooting, programming and advocacy outreach for the entire housing network. B’nai B’rith volunteers provide guidance to each local building within a framework that reflects the needs of each local community.
In May 2015, B’nai B’rith hosted 40 managers and service coordinators of the properties for a three-day training session in Tucson. Topics included HUD training, digital media strategies, working with volunteers and customer service training programs in the buildings. Each day featured a case study.
This training ensures everyone is up to date on HUD policies and procedures as well as providing innovative programming for all of the residents.
The most important component of the B’nai B’rith Senior Housing program is, of course, the residents. They are the reason we do what we do! To that end, we conduct a week long bi-annual Resident Leadership Training Retreat where we train select residents from each of the B’nai B’rith senior housing properties on how to be better resident leaders.
B’nai B’rith is the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income housing for seniors in the United States, with 42 buildings in 26 communities. We also sponsor six buildings located in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Canada, as well as additional facilities around the world. In the United States, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), we provide safe, affordable housing for more than 8,000 seniors of limited income without regard to race, national origin or religion. In order to fulfill our mission and standards of operations for each building, B’nai B’rith staff provides ongoing training, troubleshooting, programming and advocacy outreach for the entire housing network. B’nai B’rith volunteers provide guidance to each local building within a framework that reflects the needs of each local community.
In May 2015, B’nai B’rith hosted 40 managers and service coordinators of the properties for a three-day training session in Tucson. Topics included HUD training, digital media strategies, working with volunteers and customer service training programs in the buildings. Each day featured a case study.
This training ensures everyone is up to date on HUD policies and procedures as well as providing innovative programming for all of the residents.
The most important component of the B’nai B’rith Senior Housing program is, of course, the residents. They are the reason we do what we do! To that end, we conduct a week long bi-annual Resident Leadership Training Retreat where we train select residents from each of the B’nai B’rith senior housing properties on how to be better resident leaders.
Held every other summer at the B’nai B’rith Perlman Camp, in the beautiful mountains of Western Pennsylvania, B’nai B’rith staff members create workshops that are designed to provide the tools to be stronger leaders in their respective communities. Sessions include fundraising, HUD initiatives and ways to organize and run an effective Resident’s Association.
This year’s program included 33 resident leaders, three staff members and one volunteer. These individuals go back to their respective communities energized and excited to implement new programs.
This year’s program included 33 resident leaders, three staff members and one volunteer. These individuals go back to their respective communities energized and excited to implement new programs.
Since Perlman Camp is in session during the retreat, there is also an opportunity for intergenerational programming, which is a benefit not just to the senior housing residents who attend, but to the youth campers as well. The U.S. Department of Urban Housing gives high praise to this innovative program.
A key example of the value of the training: Two leaders who attended in 2013 came from a building with major issues with its own Resident Association. The two resident leaders at the retreat talked about how they were able to regroup after their training sessions, and now are able to provide programming and other support for their fellow residents.
As a result of this year’s training, two buildings that previously did not have a Tenant’s Association are now organizing associations.
A key example of the value of the training: Two leaders who attended in 2013 came from a building with major issues with its own Resident Association. The two resident leaders at the retreat talked about how they were able to regroup after their training sessions, and now are able to provide programming and other support for their fellow residents.
As a result of this year’s training, two buildings that previously did not have a Tenant’s Association are now organizing associations.
In November 2015, board members and management professionals from the network attended a three-day conference in Washington, D.C. Highlights for the attendees included HUD updates and training; a visit to B'nai B'rith Homecrest House and meeting with the leaders of the Tenant's Association; a screening of the Nancy Spielberg movie “Above and Beyond,” about the founding of the Israeli Air Force; and visits with Congressional staff to discuss the importance of continuing to fund more Section 202 Affordable Senior Housing.
Our senior housing program is directly tied to our advocacy on issues important to seniors. In Congress, we strongly advocate for housing funds, aiming to stop further cuts to a program vital to so many of our nation’s seniors for its ability to provide safe and affordable homes.
Our senior housing program is directly tied to our advocacy on issues important to seniors. In Congress, we strongly advocate for housing funds, aiming to stop further cuts to a program vital to so many of our nation’s seniors for its ability to provide safe and affordable homes.
Seniors: Advocacy
Our experience and expertise in housing led directly to our advocacy on issues of importance to seniors.
Our robust senior programming continues to both advocate for issues vital to the health and well-being of all seniors, as well as provide safe and affordable housing for low-income seniors. These dual aspects make B’nai B’rith a unique and prominent voice on so many of the most important issues facing seniors today.
Thanks to our respected expertise, we were invited to speak at Jewish Disability Advocacy Day about Social Security policy (part of Jewish Disability Awareness Month), as well as to a visiting group from the Jewish Federation of Greater Chicago on Social Security policy.
Our team has been involved in intensive advocacy to avoid a shortfall in one of the two Social Security trust funds. We were on hand for the White House Conference on Aging and submitted comments, speaker ideas and feedback to the chair as part of a coalition.
As an active member of coalitions to advocate for seniors, we met repeatedly with the Acting Commissioner on Social Security to provide stakeholder guidance and input on the Social Security Administration’s Vision 2025.
Over the last year, we have met with Congressional staff members to explain the growing, desperate need nationwide for affordable and safe housing for seniors. We have led Congressional staffers on tours of housing facilities so they can see first-hand what issues low-income seniors face.
Our robust senior programming continues to both advocate for issues vital to the health and well-being of all seniors, as well as provide safe and affordable housing for low-income seniors. These dual aspects make B’nai B’rith a unique and prominent voice on so many of the most important issues facing seniors today.
Thanks to our respected expertise, we were invited to speak at Jewish Disability Advocacy Day about Social Security policy (part of Jewish Disability Awareness Month), as well as to a visiting group from the Jewish Federation of Greater Chicago on Social Security policy.
Our team has been involved in intensive advocacy to avoid a shortfall in one of the two Social Security trust funds. We were on hand for the White House Conference on Aging and submitted comments, speaker ideas and feedback to the chair as part of a coalition.
As an active member of coalitions to advocate for seniors, we met repeatedly with the Acting Commissioner on Social Security to provide stakeholder guidance and input on the Social Security Administration’s Vision 2025.
Over the last year, we have met with Congressional staff members to explain the growing, desperate need nationwide for affordable and safe housing for seniors. We have led Congressional staffers on tours of housing facilities so they can see first-hand what issues low-income seniors face.
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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