In the March 2020 issue of the TKA Voice, Rabbi Schneider shared important and exciting news about our congregation’s new partnership with the Greater Phoenix affiliate of Family Promise. For more than 20 years, Family Promise has been offering a hand up to families experiencing homelessness (mainly for the first time) by taking care of a family’s basic needs for food, shelter, and child care, while providing the resources necessary for parents to secure both employment and affordable housing. Greater Phoenix Family Promise credits much of its success to the more than 40 interfaith congregations across Phoenix that help provide safe spaces to sleep, food, and compassion. (For more information on the incredible work that Family Promise of Arizona does in our community, see www.greaterpromiseaz.org.) We are extremely proud (and excited) to join this effort and continue the TKA legacy of “Doing Jewish” through helping these families in need.

To those of you who have already offered your help, we appreciate and thank you. For those of you who have not yet signed up, we need more volunteers! In calendar year 2020, TKA will host a maximum of 4 families for 3 separate weeks: May 24–31; August 9–16; and December 20–27. There are lots of different ways for you — and your families — to help!

On the Sunday start date of each host week, a volunteer team will set up tents, air mattresses and bedding. (Estimated volunteer time of 2 hours for a team of 6 people.)

Each night of the week, TKA members will provide dinner for our guest families. You can sign up to bring a dish and then stay for dinner and cleanup, if you choose to. Bring the dish to the Temple at any time during the day, but no later than 5:00 p.m. Dinner is served buffet style at 6:00. Susan Guzman will be happy to work with you on what to bring on a specific day. (Estimated volunteer time for those staying through dinner services is 2.5 hours, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)

Each night, after dinner until 9 p.m., TKA members are needed to provide homework assistance (for the children), and to engage families in playtime and activities. This is a wonderful opportunity for teens and college students to become involved. (Estimated volunteer time of 2.5 hours from 6:30 until 9 p.m., nightly.)

Each night, two volunteers will spend the night at the Temple. Before lights out, the overnight volunteers will have time to get to know the families and will be available to address any issues that may arise – like a tummy ache or a deflating air mattress. A separate sleeping area and queen size air mattresses, sheets, pillows, and blankets will be provided for you by the Temple. This is another great opportunity for parents with older teenage/college-age students to “Do Jewish” together. (Estimated volunteer time is from 7:30 p.m./8:00 p.m. to 5:45 a.m. Monday through Friday, and until 7:15 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.)

On the last Sunday of each host week, a volunteer team will take down the tents, air mattresses, pillows, etc. and place items in the TKA designated storage area. (Estimated volunteer time of 2 hours, for a team of 6 people.)

At the end of each host week, families will place used bedding in marked containers. Volunteers will wash the bedding and return all freshly laundered items to the TKA designated storage area. (Estimated Time of 2.5 hours for a team of 4 people.)

Offering a handful of hours of your time a few times a year to help restore dignity to families who have fallen on hard times is a mitzvah. Our hard work and effort will help others live the life they dream of and deserve.

If you are interested in volunteering in one or more of the above areas — or just want more information — please contact the TKA Host Coordinators: