Gail Asper, CJA Campaign Chair, says this year the CJA aims to raise $ 5.8 million, which is 200,000 more that was raised last year than last year’s target.

"We’ve already secured early gifts with some nice increases,” says Asper who notes that there are a lot of “unmet needs” in the community.

For example, Asper says there are many demands on Jewish Child and Family Services with “more people needing getting older.”

“We need more resources for social workers and more money for children in foster care.”

Asper also adds that there continues to be an acute need in the community for daycare spaces.

 “The Federation recognizes that it has a role in facilitating the establishment of daycare spaces,” she says.

“The stronger the CJA campaign is, the more the Federation can feel bullish in putting aside money for daycare.”

According to Asper the CJA cabinet met at a strategic planning retreat in March and “we were turning ourselves inside out to find more effective ways to meet the needs of  the Jewish community in Winnipeg, as well as Israel and Eastern European communities.”

At the strategic planning retreat, the CJA cabinet also focused on the need to “engage donors in the 25-40 range.”

“We are planning to organize smaller parlour meetings grouped by age or profession. Some people really aren’t aware of the great work that our beneficiary agencies do.” 

Asper also made mention of the fact that there are “Several thousand people who do not contribute to campaign."
 
She says the CJA wants to make sure that every potential donor is contacted so that each person is given the opportunity to participate in strengthening the Jewish community.”

Asper also spoke about the Leave More than Memories campaign where donors can endow their gift to the Federation in a fund held at the Jewish Foundation. This ensures that when a donor is gone, the Federation  can still receive their annual gift.

“Stay tuned for some fantastic endowment gift announcements,” she says.
 
Asper says has very much enjoyed being CJA chair and  spoke of two events she attended that she found particularly enjoyable. One was at Aleph Bet where the children enjoy “the outdoor play space of the outdoors and  gain appreciation for nature.”

The second was a talk Asper gave at the Gwen Secter. “It was packed and it was festive and freilach.” One of the people there said “Gwen Secter Center saved my life.”

Asper concludes, “We have an awesome community, lay leadership, executive directors and staff. They deserve our support.”