Free Social Service Screening, Love & Knishes, IBD Talk On Tap

SOUTHBURY — A free social service screenings to help any Connecticut resident facing difficult times will take place on Tuesday, July 19, from 10 am to 3 pm at the Jewish Federation, 444 Main Street North.

The Federation’s Brownstein Jewish Family Service has teamed up with the Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) to continue offering these free monthly social service screenings, by appointment, for a dozen work support/basic needs programs, including SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), energy assistance, HUSKY, Medicaid, and Charter Oak insurance.

The screenings have helped many Connecticut residents who are falling through the cracks and having a tough time making ends meet. Unemployed single people, families where one or both parents recently lost their jobs and health insurance, and seniors in their 80s have all been assisted.

The public is welcome to call to learn about income guidelines for SNAP and other programs for which they may be eligible. For example, the gross monthly income for SNAP eligibility for a single person is $1,671 and $2,246 for a family of two.

A person can own a home or a car and its value is not counted as an asset, and qualified candidates can have a bank account, too. Since last fall, more than 60 local residents have been found eligible for food stamps during the screening.

Reservations are required for the 30–45-minute screening, which is given by Nera Clemente of the Connecticut Association for Human Services.

Love & Knishes

On Wednesday, July 20, the Love & Knishes Lunch features the music of singer/ guitarist John Voket in “Tripping Through the Songbook.” The Waterbury resident has been playing guitar and singing since he was a child.

His Love & Knishes set will rely heavily on popular numbers from the Great American Songbook and artists from Sinatra and Martin to Nat King Cole and Louis Armstrong. He will also flavor his set with timeless classics from more contemporary contributors like Van Morrison, Marc Cohn, Ronnie Milsap and Roy Orbison.

The noontime lunch, which includes salad, a main course and dessert, is prepared by the award winning Jordan Caterers of Cheshire. Entertainment follows at 1 pm in the Jewish Federation’s social hall at 444 Main St. North.

The public is welcome, and there is a suggested lunch donation of $7.50 for adults age 60 and better and $9.50 for those under 60.

Yale Docs Featured

Later that evening, Brownstein Jewish Family Service invites the public to a free “Dialogue With the Docs” patient education seminar on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis at 7 pm. The July 20 program features Dr Judy Cho, director of the Yale Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program and Yale associate professor of medicine and genetics, and Dr Ioannis Oikonomou, Yale associate professor of medicine (digestive disease).

Their in-depth discussion of IBD will include information on symptoms, diagnosis and patient care. They will also speak about effective treatments, groundbreaking new research, pain management, and mechanisms for optimizing health.

Following the seminar, the Yale IBD physicians will hold a question and answer session for the attendees.

There is no charge for this program, but due to limited seating, reservations are requested. To make reservations for any or all three programs, contact Debby Horowitz, Brownstein Jewish Family Service Director, at 203-267-3177, extension 3.