Sink or swim. It’s a mantra applied to new graduates in their first job, to students trying to make it into college and to families struggling to pay for it all. Instead of letting these students and families fend for themselves, Jewish Vocational Service has several programs designed to help pay for college, prepare students for the working world, and even help their families find a way to make it work.

Since 1972, the JVS Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $3 million to economically disadvantaged Jewish students from the Los Angeles area. Awards are based on need, and have no restrictions on location or subject of study. This year alone, the fund distributed $300,000 to 159 students, who will receive their awards at a special ceremony on September 13. The Federation’s CEO Leadership Forum is also a sponsor of this program.

JVS received 248 applications, with 69% from new applicants. Though there are a wide variety of challenges that these students have had to overcome, one story stands out as being representative of the type of people the JVS Scholarship Fund helps.

Philip Donney was a typical seven-year-old until one night in October 1995, when his life changed forever. That evening, with Philip only a room away, his father killed his mother. Taken in by his mother’s two sisters, he and his younger sister found a new home without fighting, anger or violence. Their aunts also introduced them to Judaism, and the idea of giving back has been with Philip ever since.

Says Donney, “My experience motivates me to give to other children what I didn’t have. It is my hope to become a child psychologist to help other children find comfort and stability because my childhood was so abruptly and brutally ended. A college degree is essential, both to give me the background I need to reach my goal but also to give me the opportunity to learn from others committed to similar goals.”

Philip has also gained real-world experience from his work as a counselor with Camp JCA Shalom and Temple Israel’s Day School. The myriad benefits gained by students working in the Jewish community inspired JVS’ New Linkages program, which provides community service internships for Jewish students attending a college or university in the Los Angeles area. Generously funded by the Melvin N. & Eunice A. Miller Foundation and the Chevra Chai Foundation, interns have the opportunity to work on fundraising, program development, event planning, marketing, writing/research and client service with such organizations as the Anti-Defamation League, The Jewish Federation, Los Angeles Hillel Council, Bureau of Jewish Education, BBYO, and SOVA Food Pantry. New Linkages is currently accepting applications for the next session of internship opportunities. For more information, contact Michael Temkin at mtemkin@jvsla.org.

Two other programs also prepare students and their families for real work experiences. Made possible by a grant from the Jewish Federation, the JVS Scholarship Family Career Assistance Program provides JVS scholarship recipients and their immediate family members with free career counseling, resume development, interview preparation, job search coaching and other related services. With more than half of JVS Scholarship recipients born outside the U.S., the program can be a lifeline for their families.

JVS’ SAGE (Skills, Aptitude, Guidance and Employment) program does the same for high school and college students, helping them make a successful transition to the working world. The program helps students refine their academic goals or choose a college major while also teaching them employment search skills, resume writing and interview techniques.

“Most families today don’t know where to turn for all the help they need, especially with tuition costs going through the roof. We wanted to create a one-stop shop that would address multiple aspects of the college experience, both from the student’s and parents’ perspective,” says JVS CEO Vivian Seigel.

Jewish Vocational Service has been serving the people of Los Angeles with high quality career and employment services for over 75 years. Clients include refugees and immigrants, people with disabilities, women in crisis or transition, at risk youth and career professionals. For more information, please visit us at www.jvsla.org.