Thank You To Libenu’s Community Champions
As we approach the holiday of Shavuot, Z’man Matan Torahtenu, the celebration of our receiving the Torah, and a time of Jewish unity, Libenu wishes to express our hakarat hatov and heartfelt thanks to two of our most invaluable partners and advocates: Agudath Israel of Illinois and their tireless Director of Government Affairs Rabbi Shlomo Soroka; and our long-time supporters at the Jewish United Fund of Chicago (JUF Chicago).
Hakarat Hatov to Agudath Israel of Illinois
Libenu wishes to express our hakarat hatov and heartfelt thanks to the Agudath Israel of Illinois and Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Director of Government Affairs, for their steadfast advocacy in helping Libenu secure the City of Chicago’s Community Development Grant. Rabbi Soroka’s tireless efforts, meeting with city leaders, amplifying our mission, and championing the needs of individuals with disabilities played a pivotal role in this achievement. The Agudath’s unwavering support and clear articulation of our community’s needs demonstrated the power of partnership when advocacy, leadership, and vision come together.
Thanks to this grant, Libenu can begin the construction and renovation of our Lev Avigayil Libenu Center, named in memory of Gale Rothner, a’h, creating a permanent home for our respite programs and providing a space for expanded adult services. Families who have children with intellectual and developmental disabilities can look forward to a state-of-the-art facility with therapeutic spaces, a sensory room, a large multi-purpose room, an enclosed playground, comfortable gathering areas and more.
Rabbi Soroka and the Agudath’s dedication reminds us that when a community unites to support its most vulnerable members, true transformation follows. May we continue to work together on behalf of the community and go m’chayil l’chayil.
Heartfelt Thanks To The Jewish United fund of Chicago
Libenu extends its heartfelt gratitude to JUF Chicago for awarding us a mental‑health grant that supports our Lev Respite programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Research consistently shows that respite is the single most requested service among parents of children with I/DD. Even brief periods of high‑quality respite act as an immediate intervention: reducing caregiver stress, improving mental and physical health, and enhancing overall family stability. By giving parents the chance to breathe, reconnect with spouses and siblings, or simply catch up on rest, respite care safeguards the well‑being of the entire household and greatly benefits the child receiving services.
Parents describe Lev Respite as their “lifeline to sanity”. Over the past eight years, Lev Respite has provided over 6,400 hours of group respite. Lev Respite currently serves 35 participants and impacts approximately 330 family members, including extended caregivers and siblings, grandparents, and 40 volunteers and staff annually. Over 200 high-school and college students have worked or volunteered in the program since its inception. Services are offered after school, four days a week, including legal holidays. Lev Lilah, an outgrowth of the program, offers Shabbat overnight respite services 2-3 times monthly, and Camp Lev provides overnight respite during the intersession time that camps end and school begins.
We are deeply grateful to JUF for their confidence in Libenu and for recognizing this significant need in our community. Your support empowers us to deliver life‑changing relief for families, ensuring they never feel alone on their journey and reinforcing our shared commitment to inclusion, dignity, and hope.
