105 Years Strong: How JCS Supports Holocaust Survivors Like Lucy Lowell in Miami-Dade

At 105 years old, Lucy Lowell represents living history. A Holocaust Survivor now residing in Miami-Dade County, she is part of a rapidly diminishing generation whose courage shaped the world we know today. Her life is a testament to resilience, but in her later years, resilience alone is not enough.

Today, Lucy is supported by JCS’ Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP), a vital lifeline for more than 400 Holocaust Survivors across Miami-Dade County.

As the survivor population ages into their 80s, 90s, and beyond, programs like HSAP are more critical than ever.

Who Is Lucy Lowell?

Lucy Lowell is one of the oldest Holocaust Survivors living in Miami. At 105, she embodies extraordinary perseverance, having rebuilt her life after surviving the atrocities of World War II. Now in her later years, she, like many aging survivors, faces the physical and financial challenges that come with advanced age.

While her history is remarkable, her present reality is shared by many Holocaust Survivors in South Florida: fixed incomes, medical needs, mobility limitations, and the risk of isolation.

That is where JCS steps in.

What Is JCS’ Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program (HSAP)?

JCS’ Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program in Miami-Dade County is a comprehensive, trauma-informed case management program operated by Jewish Community Services of South Florida.

HSAP is specifically designed to meet the complex needs of Holocaust Survivors aging in place. The program ensures that survivors can live safely, independently, and with dignity in their own homes.

Key Services Provided by HSAP:

• Individualized Case Management
  Licensed professionals conduct in-home assessments and create personalized care plans tailored to each survivor’s needs.
• In-Home Support Services
  Assistance with housekeeping, personal care, meal support, and transportation allows survivors to remain in familiar surroundings.
• Reparations & Benefits Assistance
  Navigating international pensions and reparation programs can be overwhelming. HSAP specialists help survivors apply for and maintain the benefits they are entitled to receive.
• Emergency Financial Assistance
  Many survivors live on limited fixed incomes. HSAP provides support for urgent and unexpected expenses.
• Emotional Support & Advocacy
  Beyond practical help, case managers build trusted relationships, offering ongoing advocacy, reassurance, and connection.

Currently, JCS supports over 400 Holocaust Survivors in Miami-Dade County, ensuring that this vulnerable population receives culturally competent and compassionate care.

JCS Matzah Mitzvah:

Supporting Holocaust Survivors Through Action

This Sunday, March 8, the community has an opportunity to directly support Holocaust Survivors at our annual JCS Matzah Mitzvah event.

JCS Matzah Mitzvah is a hands-on volunteer and fundraising initiative that benefits vulnerable seniors and Holocaust Survivors throughout Miami-Dade County. Volunteers assemble and distribute Passover food and personal hygiene baskets, ensuring that survivors can observe the holiday with dignity and connection.

Lucy will be one the recipients of a food package from this event.

Funds raised through JCS Matzah Mitzvah help sustain year-round programs like HSAP, including case management, emergency assistance, and in-home services.

For many survivors, receiving a holiday delivery is about more than food. It is a reminder that their community sees them, values them, and stands with them.