A $1,000 donation to JCFS Chicago recently provided some residents with the opportunity to pay it forward. The anonymous donor of the generous gift made one request—that residents of JCFS-supported integrated community living homes use the funds to purchase gifts for others.

So on a cold January day, several residents met at Target to shop for winter clothes to donate to newly settled immigrants in the HIAS Immigration & Citizenship program. They purchased thermal underwear, sweatpants, sweatshirts and a lot of thick socks, said Letícia Cardoso, Director of Residential Supports.

“They loved it,” Letícia said. “They had the opportunity to purchase meaningful items for other people. Very often people are purchasing things for them, so it was exciting to see them go through the process of selecting what they thought others would enjoy receiving as a gift.”

The warm clothes could not have come at a better time.

“This donation indeed came at the right moment, when our new families were struggling through their initial winter season in the U.S.,” said HIAS Program Manager Ambrose Mulongo.

Eight families benefited from this donation, including four individuals who recently started new jobs at the airport. The extra layers will help keep them warm during their walk to public transportation each day, Ambrose said.

The residents also purchased gift cards, which will help a family of six that recently lost employment and public assistance after their employment authorization cards expired. The family has faced significant challenges navigating the current immigration environment, and they greatly appreciate the gift cards, Ambrose said.

Last year, JCFS Chicago received a similar donation with the same stipulation that residents use the funds to buy gifts for others, and they helped provide toys for our annual Holiday Gift Drive. This year the donation was received after the gift drive had ended, so they focused on helping new immigrants.

“Thanks to our donor’s trust, we were able to turn a financial gift into a powerful lesson in morality and social responsibility,” said Letícia, referring to one of the agency’s four values—Integrity/Yosher.