Los Angeles County – As the need for financial relief continues to grow during the COVID-19 pandemic, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas is partnering with the Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) to extend financial help to families in financial distress who are living in the Second Supervisor District by offering\u00a0\u00a0no-fee, zero-interest loans. Recognizing the urgent need for support, a grant of $500,000 has been allocated by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to facilitate emergency loans of $3,00-$6,000 for individuals and families and up to $18,000 to aid small businesses who may not qualify through normal financial channels.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s often one car accident, one exorbitant health care bill, one month of not being able to pay rent that can lead a family into financial distress, and far too often, homelessness. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this dynamic,\u201d said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas. \u201cI am pleased to be partnering with the Jewish Free Loan Association, one of our communities long-serving lending institutions, to aid families struggling to make ends meet with no-interest and no-fee loans that can meet their urgent needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not only can JFLA’s loans be used to help individuals and families facing personal financial struggles, they can also be used to\u00a0support small businesses through these trying times.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this moment of stress and uncertainty, JFLA remains committed to helping our friends and neighbors get through this unprecedented crisis,\u201d said JFLA Executive Director Rachel Grose.\u00a0 \u201cWith help from partners like Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, our zero-interest loans are making a real difference in people\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe loan I received from JFLA helped me find a place, pay\u00a0my\u00a0deposit and first month’s rent. I know what it feels like to be homeless\u2014I don\u2019t ever want to go back to that dark place,” said one of JFLA\u2019s clients, named Andrea.<\/p>\n