This has been a year like no other - lives disrupted, businesses shuttered, Zoom taking on a whole new meaning, and everyone getting reacquainted with their four walls!  We all have been impacted in so many ways by COVID-19, and JUMP is no exception.

When the pandemic prevented in-person visits to the drop-in center, JUMP quickly changed direction and within a week was able to continue meeting low income families and individuals’ needs by providing on-line services and mailed vouchers through a newly created FLEX assistance program. JUMP’s primary goal, amid the COVID pandemic, has been to remain open and ensure all economically disadvantaged families have dependable access to help meeting basic needs.

JUMP Client: “JUMP still reached out to us to see how our needs were going and if there was any way they could help out and I thought that was amazing.”

Clients make on-line or phone calls to request services.  The JUMP FLEX program then delivers by mail aid to purchase groceries, transportation help, utility assistance, personal hygiene and cleaning supplies.  These vouchers assist not only in meeting basic needs but also help those “living on the edge” to preserve key funds for other essentials.  JUMP also provides services to many immigrants, the New Americans, who have recently arrived in Chittenden County.  Since COVID-19, 23% of households receiving assistance from JUMP were first time recipients.  

JUMP Client: “I had to catch up on back Burlington Gas bill so I can have heat this year.”

Because clients cannot come in person to JUMP, JUMP established a Quarterly Care Call network, wherein staff and volunteers call clients on a quarterly basis to check on their well-being and need for assistance.  In this manner, JUMP can be reaching out to clients, checking on their well-being and determining if their needs are being met.  But just as important, these calls are a compassionate point of contact, allowing clients to know JUMP cares about the challenge’s clients face.  “JUMP provides somebody to talk to-a caring ear.”

JUMP Client: “JUMP hasn’t walked away and during COVID we get calls from the ladies at JUMP checking in on us and they call them comfort calls.”

With profound purpose, and over 30 years later, JUMP continues to be a proven, consistent resource for thousands of our most vulnerable neighbors.  All this because of your help!

JUMP Client: “What you see is a result of a lot of work which JUMP has been a part of.  It does take a lot of work, but you can get out of crisis and you can make it through transitions, and you can achieve success as a family.”

JUMP asks for your continued support for this valuable and needed mission.  Please give generously this holiday season so that JUMP can continue to reduce barriers to help the economically disadvantaged achieve economic independence and healthier well-being.