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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE – JUNE 2023
As summer approaches, the staff at Hebrew Free Loan of San Diego is diligently working to help students that are preparing for their college undergraduate and graduate journeys, and those that are looking for more educational opportunities to expand their careers. This time of year is education loan time! For many, choosing an educational path is financially driven. We see people everyday that, for one reason or another, are now in substantial debt because of their financial decisions made at the onset of their college path. It is not the way we want to see anyone come out of college. I know that a college decision is a difficult one, with many factors to consider, but an HFLSD education loan can alleviate some of the financial stress that comes with these difficult decisions.
HFLSD offers a unique product to our San Diego Jewish community – cost free loans which means no interest and no fees are charged. Through our holistic qualification process, we consider a potential borrower’s life objectives, their current financial position and needs, and then structure the loan with their best interests in mind. In the case of education loans, we want to assure that education is obtainable without incurring insurmountable amounts of debt.
We are seeing a huge increase in people needing help, and that is what keeps me awake at night. Education loans are one of the best vehicles we offer to help put people on their path to financial security. It keeps me focused on outreach and developing ways to find individuals who are on the cusp of becoming impoverished or unable to financially afford taking advantage of life changing opportunities. Just a few of these opportunities include: assisting in funding education that launches careers, assisting entrepreneurs expand businesses and create jobs, and funding invitro-fertilization to create Jewish lives and happy Jewish families. HFLSD focuses on those individuals that need a hand-up – we need to reach people before they fall into poverty or forgo their dreams of a fulfilling life. We work to prevent them from ending up homeless or carrying debt that is so overwhelming that they cannot get out of it. That is the difference a loan from HFLSD makes.
And, we are thrilled to share that we currently have 100% repayment rate with 5 loans already paid back in full. This December, we proudly launched our Full Circle Club, where loan recipients pay back their loan in full and then chose to donate to HFLSD. That is the best testimonial we could ever ask for – loan recipients that want to give back to HFLSD!
So as you walk your path, remember that we have a multitude of loan programs to help in many situations. Do not hesitate to contact us. It is always confidential, and the process is simple and cost free. HFLSD wants to walk the journey with you.
All the best!
Mindi
BOARD MEMBER HIGHLIGHT – MITCH DUBICK
Originally from Cleveland, Mitch and his wife Julie left the Justice Department in Washington and came to San Diego in 1981. Mitch is a partner in the law firm of Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, specializing in tax controversy matters. HFLSD is thrilled to have Mitch’s support. Mitch says: “I’ve always tried to combine community service along with my law practice and raising a family, and I was immediately drawn to HFLSD’s mission of helping people improve their lives. In my time on the Board, I’ve been amazed by the dedication of HFLSD’s staff and other Directors, and I’ve been happy to help with its outreach into the community.”
The mission of HFLSD is to aid and empower members of the San Diego Jewish community to help themselves by providing affordable interest-free loans in accordance with core Jewish values of dignity, respect, compassion, and confidentiality. Mitch supports HFLSD’s mission through his family’s gift, work on the Board management, and interviewing prospective borrowers. He looks forward to HFLSD becoming a significant organization in the San Diego Jewish community. With Mitch on the Board, HFLSD is looking forward to making that meaningful impact in the San Diego Jewish community.
Since coming to San Diego, he has served on the National Young Leadership Cabinet of the United Jewish Federation, the San Diego Federation Board of Directors, the San Diego Anti-Defamation League Board of Directors and as an ADL National Commissioner, the Seacrest Board of Directors, the Hillel Board of Directors, and the Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery and Mausoleum Committee. Outside the Jewish community, Mitch has served on the Boards of Interfaith Community Services, Serving Seniors, and Second Chance. He also serves on the Regional Task Force on Homelessness. He attended Yale University, Case-Western Reserve University Law School, and Georgetown Law School. He and Julie have three children and five grandchildren, all of whom live in California.[/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row el_id=”lauren”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
LOAN RECIPIENT HIGHLIGHT – LAUREN
Meet Lauren, who moved to the United States from a low-income community in Israel five years ago to pursue her dreams of becoming an engineer. She faced many challenges that came with being a student in a foreign country without the support of family and friends.
Despite these challenges, she was determined to make the most of her new environment and continue pursuing her education and career goals. Unfortunately, just a year after moving to California, the pandemic hit, and everything changed. She lost her job as a server due to pandemic-related closures, and with a busy school schedule and sports injury, finding a job that would work with her schedule felt nearly impossible to her.
When she hit a rough patch, a good friend of hers introduced her to Hebrew Free Loan of San Diego (HFLSD) – and she says that was a true game-changer for her. Because of the interest-free loan Lauren was granted, she was able to get back on her feet and continue pursuing her educational goals without having to worry about financial burdens. She was finally able to focus on school without the added stress of making rent or paying bills and even had the time and flexibility to search for a job that worked with her busy schedule.
Lauren states that beyond just the financial assistance, HFLSD provided her with a sense of support and community that was truly invaluable. Being away from her family and friends in Israel during a pandemic was tough, and it was so reassuring to know that there was an organization out there that truly cared about her well-being and wanted to help her succeed.
Lauren says: “Thanks to HFLSD, I was able to stay focused on my goals and continue volunteering within the Jewish community when I could. And today, as I look back on my journey, I know that I couldn’t have done it without their help. If you are in need of financial assistance and are part of the San Diego Jewish community, I highly recommend reaching out to HFLSD. They truly care about their borrowers and will do everything in their power to help you succeed.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
