Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying an easy transition from summer, although the circumstances I'm about to share are far from cheerful. Today, I'm reaching out with a heavy heart as our friends and community in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, have faced the devastating impact of Russian air strikes.
What makes this hit even more personal is that one of our cherished partner offices was affected. Colleagues were inside the office at the time of the attack. Thankfully, no one was physically harmed, but the building itself has taken a severe hit. The shockwaves have rippled through our community, affecting everyone, including the elders we serve and our dedicated community coordinator.
For our friends in Ukraine, war has become a painful, relentless part of their daily lives. It's woven into the very fabric of their existence, making it difficult to look beyond the present moment, to make plans, or even to take a breath without fear.
But amidst this darkness, there's a ray of hope shining through, thanks to incredible individuals like our Ukraine Director, Ella, and our network of community coordinators who refuse to let adversity define their future.
I am thrilled to share a groundbreaking initiative we've embarked upon in partnership with the esteemed Jewish Medical Center of Dnipro. Together, we're bringing telehealth services to four communities—Kryvyi Rih, Novomoskovsk, Pavlograd, and Kamenskoye—just outside Dnipro.
This pilot program is revolutionary on many levels, all because of your unwavering support. We knew there was a need for this service, but we expected a slow start as we worked to build trust among our elders, many of whom still remember the days of Soviet-era medicine and approached this with caution. However, to our amazement, 71 people signed up in just a matter of weeks, showing us just how vital this lifeline is.
The Jewish Medical Center of Dnipro had been providing telehealth services primarily to their own patients in Dnipro. This collaboration expands their reach to patients they've never met before and all live outside Dnipro. This means that many elders in these communities, who previously had limited access to specialists and treatments, now have the opportunity to receive the care they desperately need.
Furthermore, we've extended our services to internally displaced elders—those who've escaped some of Ukraine's most horrific war-torn areas and now call one of these four cities home.
We're committed to keeping you updated, sharing personal stories, lessons learned, and the additional needs we uncover as we continue this vital work. Our High Holiday appeal letter is on its way to your inbox, and we understand that countless worthy causes are out there seeking your support. However, given the recent attack on Kryvyi Rih and the fact that this resilient community is participating in our telehealth pilot, we wanted to highlight just how profoundly your financial support of Action-PSJ is making an impact.
Our goal is to raise an additional $100,000 for the telehealth pilot
Your generosity can make a difference. It will help us bring hope and healing to those who need it most, even in the face of adversity.
So, I invite you to join us in this pilot project. Together, we can provide hope and care to those who deserve it most. Let's ensure that the light of compassion continues shining, even in the darkest hours.
With heartfelt gratitude and hope,
Kol Hakavod–with deep respect,
Debbie Kardon
Executive Director
Whether you have questions, want more details, or simply wish to share your thoughts and ideas, I'm here for you. Let's connect, have a conversation, and explore how your investment can make a profound impact on the lives of those we serve. Email Debbie@actionpsj.org
