The Joy Project

Thank you for participating in this year’s Joy Project!
By honoring the special women in your life, YOU are helping thousands of women and children in our community receive critical services from Jewish Family Service. See the impact of your donation below.


324 women received counseling services

109 women received assistance to keep food on the table

71% of those who utilized JFS transportation services to get to critical appointments were women

274 women received Geriatric Care Management Services to help them age in place

70% of those who received legal assistance through
our Legal Referral Service program were women
18% of the cases involved domestic violence situations

Laurie takes three medications to manage her chronic stomach issues…when she can manage to afford them. Your donation of a prescription will alleviate both her budget and her pain.
$18 = 1 card
A recent fall has left 82-year-old Mrs. Dennison unable to shower or dress on her own. And she can’t stand long enough to prepare her meals. Your donation of a home care visit will ensure that her daily needs are being met.
$36 = 2 cards
Mrs. Miller is a retired teacher whose monthly benefits don’t cover all of her basic needs. Your donation of a food voucher will ensure that she will have enough to eat this month.
$54 = 3 cards
Addie is a single mom who had to stop working during the COVID pandemic in order for her kids to attend school virtually. Your donation of one hour with a social worker will help Addie get her life back on track.
$72 = 4 cards
Vanessa has no family in the area that she can rely on to drive her to her dialysis appointments. Your donation of transportation services will allow Vanessa to get the treatment she needs.
$88 = 5 cards
Seventeen-year-old Izzy has been struggling with anxiety. Her grades are suffering and she’s withdrawing from her friends. Your donation of one counseling session will help her develop coping skills and get her back to feeling more like herself.
$90 = 6 cards
Mrs. Friedman is a Holocaust survivor living on her own and living on a tight budget. Unexpected medical expenses means she is behind in her bills. Your donation of an electric bill payment will help her keep the lights on.
$105 = 7 cards
After years in an unhappy marriage, Ella is divorcing her husband. Now that she’s supporting her children on a single income, the legal expenses are impacting her already limited budget. Your donation will help to cover a portion of the court costs.
$120 = 8 cards
Shayna just left her abusive husband and she and her children need a safe place to live. Your donation will provide emergency shelter for one night.
$130 = 9 cards
Mrs. Warren’s children worry about her safety as she is still living on her own at home. Your donation of home modifications will help her continue to safely age in place and avoid moving into a senior care facility.
$140 = 10 cards
Circle of Joy
Join this special group of donors dedicated to addressing the most pressing needs of women and children in our community with counseling, basic needs assistance, transportation, and other critical services.
$360 = up to 18 cards
Elanah Nachman Hunger founded The Joy Project in 2009 as a way to honor the woman who inspired her most—her mother, Joy Nachman.
I wanted to give my mother, Joy Nachman, something that would represent the extraordinary woman she is, but every gift paled in comparison to her. There was still more I wanted to do to recognize my wonderful mother. I wanted her to know that her children are caring and charitable individuals because of her. Out of gratitude for my mother, I wanted to recognize and appreciate other mothers who may be less fortunate. With an ambitious dream to pursue and a few phone calls, we were given the privilege to partner with Jewish Family Service and in 2009, The Joy Project was born. Since then, it has provided services to thousands of women and children in our community.
For questions or more information about making a donation, contact 248.970.2655 or joyproject@jfsdetroit.org