Raising their voices

JUF’s Voices: The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation recently ended its yearlong grant cycle, raising and allocating nearly $55,000 to people in need around the world.

The two Voices boards-Voices 101 and Voices Alumni-chose the following funding priorities: combating antisemitism; the environment and sustainability; homelessness; hunger; individuals with disabilities; mental health; and violence prevention.

The Voices 101 Board is made up of 24 high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are participating on the board for their first year, while the Alumni Board is comprised of 10 high school juniors and seniors who have already served on the Voices 101 Board.

While funding went to organizations in the United States and Israel, priority was given to organizations serving Israelis impacted by the Israel-Hamas War.

Voices 101

Total allocation amount: $43,236, Issue areas: Combatting antisemitism, homelessness, hunger, and mental health

• Elem/Youth in Distress in Israel, $7,128: Funding to support the salary of a mental health professional at their Breathing Spaces. (These “Breathing Spaces” are emergency pop-up sites in locations where evacuee families are hosted. At these sites, ELEM’s staff provides immediate mental health support for youth who were on the frontline on October 7.)
• Repair the World Chicago, $2,500: Sustaining and expanding programs and offerings in Chicago.
• Family Promise Chicago North Shore, $4,004: Supporting housing costs for unhoused families.
• Northern Illinois Food Bank, $2,500: Funding for 165 backpacks of food for children and families to have over the weekends.
• Growing Home, $4,004: Expand food distribution, increase the number of individuals assisted, and increase amount of food available.
• Dina and Eli Field Ezra Multi-Service Center, $2,500: Food to prepare and serve at the Uptown Cafe.
• Friends of ELNET, $8,000: Costs for a European official to travel to Israel on a mission-style trip.
• Jaffa Institute, $8,000: 100-140 hot food boxes for families impacted in the Israel-Hamas war.
• JUF IEF, $3,600: Allocation made a week after October 7.
• JUF Annual Campaign, $1,000: Donation to JUF’s annual campaign

Voices Alumni

Total allocation amount: $11,510, Issue areas: The environment, individuals with disabilities, and violence prevention

• Lawndale Christian Legal Center, $2,877.50: Client support & activities-emergency housing, clothing, transportation, clothing, etc.
• Hand in Hand: Center for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel, $5,132.50: Funding to reopen their school in Beit Berl
• Yachad Chicago, $2,500: Funding for a Glow-Light farm to expand current outdoor farm to be year-round
• JUF Annual Campaign, $1,000: Donation to JUF’s annual campaign

For more information on JUF’s Voices: The Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation, visit juf.org/teens/Voices_About.aspx or email[email protected].

Keren Eckstein is JUF’s Senior Program Director of Teen Philanthropy.