Charities create online toolkit to help those affected by cost of living stress

A new online Cost of Living Toolkit has been created to address the needs of members of the Jewish community impacted by increased costs.

Featuring easy, practical tips on reducing costs – such as medical and utility bills as well as in the financial area, the toolkit is a collaboration between Melbourne Jewish Charity Fund, C Care and The Social Blueprint. It had a “soft” launch just before Passover, with a formal launch and more information and tips to be added.

“We are streamlining access to essential support services,” The Social Blueprint founder Sharon Lowe told The Jewish Independent.

“Our toolkits are designed to simplify the process, ensuring that anyone can easily locate the assistance they need. We have been working with Melbourne Jewish Charity Fund and C Care to understand what is needed.”

By empowering people, the aim is to avoid having them become clients of social assistance services. As the CEO of Melbourne Jewish Charity Fund, Yoni Paluch, explains: “There are a lot of families struggling who reach out for charitable assistance – but there are a lot who aren’t reaching out, that are probably just keeping their heads above water. We want to try to ensure they don’t get into a position where they need to reach out for charity.

“We can provide some tips and tricks that they may not have thought of, that could mean they save a little bit of money – which may make the difference,” Paluch said. “We’d much rather have them stand on their own two feet.”