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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a giant Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 omnibus appropriations bill that includes $243,000 for the Jewish Federation of Middlesex County and $136,000 for the Sephardic Bikur Holim of Monmouth County to provide community services.
Last night, the House approved a $515.7 billion spending bill that combines 11 appropriations bills into one omnibus bill funding domestic programs and foreign operations for FY 2008, which officially began on October 1, 2007. The legislation now goes to the Senate for its approval before heading to the President's desk later this week.
Pallone said the $243,000 in federal funds will help the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County provide services to the elderly in Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, which are neighborhoods or buildings where a large segment of the residents have aged in place.
"Residents of these Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities need assistance with meeting particular health and social service needs," Pallone said. "The federal funds approved by Congress this week will allow the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County to continue to coordinate delivery of services to these communities. The Jewish Federation should be commended for its long-serving dedication to this vulnerable population."
Pallone also secured $136,000 for the Sephardic Bikur Holim of Monmouth County, a satellite office of SBH Community Services of Brooklyn, New York. SBH is a nonprofit organization formed to help the Sephardic Jewish community. The Monmouth County branch of SBH is based on a unique staff structure that mostly uses volunteers to provide its services, which are open to anyone who is in need.
"These funds will help Sephardic Bikur Holim operate a wide range of services in Monmouth County, including mental health, elderly, and employment programs, as well as family preservation and stabilization," Pallone said. "I am proud that Congress approved this funding to assist SBH of Monmouth County with its comprehensive service to our community."
Earlier this year, the House approved Pallone's request for funding for these organizations as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.
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