Path to Parenthood
JUF’s Path to Parenthood offers a safe, supportive Jewish space for individuals and couples navigating the journey to parenthood. Designed to remove barriers and expand access to fertility and adoption funding in the Chicagoland Jewish community, the program connects participants with financial resources, guidance and support every step of the way.
Financial Support
Through a partnership with The Chicago Coalition for Family Building, Path to Parenthood provides two different grants, both up to $10,000, to assist with the cost of fertility-related medical treatments, adoption and surrogacy. There are typically two grant cycles per year—spring and winter.
The Spring grant cycle is currently closed. Check back later this year for Winter grant cycle details.
Residents of Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, McHenry and Kane counties who receive treatment in Illinois, have at least one partner who identifies as a member of the Jewish community, and plan to raise children in accordance with the Jewish faith are invited to apply.
Additional Support
JUF’s Path to Parenthood offers a variety of educational workshops and webinars plus support groups through JUF’s partnership with Jewish Child and Family Services (JCFS) Chicago.
Workshop and webinar topics include:
- Egg freezing
- LGBTQ+ family building
- Male infertility
- Inspired adoptive parenting
- Navigating insurance coverage
Support groups are available for:
- Individuals and couples struggling with fertility challenges and pregnancy loss
- Jewish adoptive and prospective adoptive families
For more information on these educational and support resources, contact Andrea Jacobs at [email protected] or visit the JCFS calendar page for upcoming programming.
I don’t have enough words to express how grateful I am [for the financial assistance]. Without it, I don’t think we’d have Ethan. How did we get so lucky?
Jackie
There are a lot of costs connected to adoption [so the grant was] an amazing opportunity. It meant the world to us.
Matthew and Brittany
As a queer couple, we always knew our road to becoming dads would require effort, creativity, and patience. We did not fully anticipate the high costs of adoption when we first set out on this journey and we are incredibly grateful to Path to Parenthood for their meaningful financial support and for the affirmation that comes with it.
Dan and Danny
We will use this grant to continue our fertility journey knowing that we have the support of so many, including those who have had success before us.
Shimra and Jonathon
We had almost written off the idea of having another child… until we stumbled upon Path to Parenthood.
Jamie and Richard
Looking for Genetic Screening?
Check out the Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics!