Creating employment opportunities for the disadvantaged
With this goal in mind, the JOINT (The American Jewish Joint distribution Committee otherwise known as JDC) together with La Benevolencija in Sarajevo, Bosnia and NOA in Osijek, Croatia , started “The J-Fund”. The J-Fund has two special activities;
1. A non-interest-bearing, revolving loan fund created in particular for those NGO’s (non-governmental, non-profit organizations) and also regular businesses capable of borrowing this money and using it to develop sustainable jobs for the disabled and/or the disadvantaged.
2. A program of social entrepreneurship to loan goods or equipment to enable marginalized or disadvantaged individuals to become financially self sufficient in the Western Balkans.
The JFund currently operates today in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. The possibility of expanding to other countries is currently being explored.. Since May 2005 it has awarded loans to 32 projects with a capital investment of over 600,000 USD.
In launching this program of “loans for jobs” we have had the strong and constant support and encouragement of an unusual philanthropist whose name is becoming well-known in the Western Balkans, Dr. Alfred Bader of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“The highest form of charity is to help sustain a person before he becomes impoverished by offering a substantial gift in a dignified manner, or by extending a suitable loan, or by helping him find employment or establish himself in business so as to make it unnecessary for him to become dependent on others.” (Maimonides or the Rambam - Ladder of Tzedaka)
