Teens with Big Hearts
Glowing Gratitude for Our Volunteers
“We literally could not run the program without them,” Dina Baker, Libenu’s Director of Programs, said of the Lev Respite volunteers. “They bring a lot of young energy and enable us to give our participants one-on-one time. They really get to know the kids as individuals.”
To thank our fabulous corps of 2021-2022 volunteers, who devotedly joined the staff on a weekly basis throughout the school year, Libenu held a pool party and barbecue with a glow-in-the-dark theme.
“They all shine,” Dina remarked.
Among the forty high schoolers, one stand-out was selected as Volunteer of the Year. Graduating senior Chana Cohen “never said no,” Dina explained. “She helped with everything – the fun stuff, the not-fun stuff. She volunteered at both Libenu’s afterschool Lev Respite program and overnight at Lev Lilah. If we were short of volunteers on a given day, she was right there. If someone was needed to drop something off, she’d do that.”
As a token of our appreciation, Libenu gave all of the volunteers a bag that says, “I gave my heart to the children of Lev.” They truly did, and the Lev Respite children, their families, and our community are forever grateful.
Teen Inclusion Leaders
Introducing another groundbreaking initiative by Libenu! Local teenagers are tapping into their caring, creativity, and commitment to equity as they form the first-ever Libenu High School Leadership Inclusion Board. After reviewing applications from area high school students, Libenu has invited 24 young people to develop their problem-solving skills in maker-lab activities that will help Libenu residents gain more independence in their environments. They will learn to use design thinking to promote accessibility and inclusion. They also will plan social-recreational activities for the residents as well as teens and children in Libenu’s Lev Respite program.
The inaugural board will be comprised of students of Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Hannah Sacks Bais Yaakov High School, and Fasman Yeshiva High School.
Officers
Jordyn Baker, Co-President
Andrew Bersson, Co-President
Jordana Zwelling, Vice President
Jacob Friedman, Secretary
Eliana Eisenberg, Treasurer
Board Members
Azi Aberman
Ayelet Appel
Julia Benditzson
Taly Benzaquen
Hadassah Bernstein
Noa Gavant
Avraham Gelman
Eliana Isenberg
Adam Katz
Dena Kaye
Kayla Kupietsky
Rotem Lav
Eliana Levine
Sophia Muchnik
Audrey Perlman
Adi Seruya
Eliyahu Vilenski
Moshe Wiesenberg
Batya Zundell
We wish the board much success and enjoyment as they launch their activities in the fall of 2022. Meanwhile, we can be assured that the future of our community is in good hands!
Do you know a teen with a passion for inclusion and a desire to volunteer?
Please feel free to connect anyone who may be interested with out staff. Reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions.
Tee Time for Libenu
Save the date! The Berkowitz Family Libenu Golf Outing is set for September 19 at the Ravinia Green Country Club. Tiered sponsorship opportunities are available, and registration will open soon. Contact [email protected] to secure your sponsorship spot for the big event!
