Kindness Initiative serves households in the San Diego Jewish community that struggle with financial insecurity – a little known, but substantial problem. A 2019 study found that more than 20% of the 50,000 Jewish households in San Diego are living at, or below, the poverty level. With the Covid pandemic, the number of families in need has only increased.

There are many fine, local social service programs to assist people in need, but navigating the maze of resources can be so overwhelming that many eligible people find themselves unable to access the life enhancing support available to them and their families.

Kindness Initiative works in partnership with Service Providers and trained volunteers, to help our Members access services so they can live with dignity and identify a way forward. Together, our work fulfills the mitzvot of G’milut Hasadim – acts of loving kindness; Tzedakah – providing monetary and material support; Tikkun Olam – our actions to improve the world.

We believe that no Jewish household in San Diego County should face life’s challenges alone. The Kindness Initiative Service Model strives to alleviate the pressures, complexity, and impact of poverty, by assisting our Members to navigate and access the resources they need. We have developed a collaborative network to help Members connect with available Service Providers, for which they are eligible. Our team of volunteers is committed to making the future easier and brighter for every member.

Any eligible individual or household may become a Kindness Initiative Member (see Kindness Initiative Eligibility), and will have access to a network of services, volunteers, and funding sources. Members are always treated with dignity, according to the Kindness Initiative standards of service, and consistent with our confidentiality policies and Jewish values.

Kindness Initiative’s Member-centric community program focuses on human dignity, volunteerism, collaboration, efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation.

In order to ensure the needs of every vulnerable Jewish household in San Diego county are addressed, we:

• Create and oversee community “Standards of Service”

• Maintain an extensive and skilled volunteer corps

• Coordinate a broad network of Services Providers

• Assist vulnerable Jewish households to navigate and access services

• Develop programs to fill needed services voids

• Create standards of Service Provider performance metrics, monitor, and report progress