FAMILY FELLOWSHIP
About The Fellowship
The process to adopt and/or foster a vulnerable child can be arduous and frustrating. Tightened state budgets and a deliberately-slow bureaucracy put many families in a devastating bind; many give up before they are allowed to welcome children into their home.
YATOM knows and understands these frustrations. That is why we created the YATOM Family Fellowship, a program which is meant to inspire hope for families striving to foster/adopt. Since 2016, we have been providing support through education, creating community and financial support. And, starting in 2021, thanks to the generosity of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, we began running dual-tracks programs: a national cohort and a local Phoenix-only in-person cohort.
We are currently accepting applications for our 9th cohort, which will begin in the fall of 2023. Fellows have the chance to receive a stipend and a be part of a close-knit community to talk about the adoption/fostering process together.
Should you apply?
If you answer yes to these three questions, we hope you click here to apply for our 9th Cohort.
1) Do you identify as Jewish?
2) Do you have an interest in adopting and/or fostering a child/children?
3) Are you not yet started on the adoption/fostering path?
* Applicants must be in the early stages of exploring adoption/fostering. Those already in the licensure process will not be considered for this program. Consider our microgrant program if you have already welcomed foster/adoptive children into your family.
YATOM knows and understands these frustrations. That is why we created the YATOM Family Fellowship, a program which is meant to inspire hope for families striving to foster/adopt. Since 2016, we have been providing support through education, creating community and financial support. And, starting in 2021, thanks to the generosity of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, we began running dual-tracks programs: a national cohort and a local Phoenix-only in-person cohort.
We are currently accepting applications for our 9th cohort, which will begin in the fall of 2023. Fellows have the chance to receive a stipend and a be part of a close-knit community to talk about the adoption/fostering process together.
Should you apply?
If you answer yes to these three questions, we hope you click here to apply for our 9th Cohort.
1) Do you identify as Jewish?
2) Do you have an interest in adopting and/or fostering a child/children?
3) Are you not yet started on the adoption/fostering path?
* Applicants must be in the early stages of exploring adoption/fostering. Those already in the licensure process will not be considered for this program. Consider our microgrant program if you have already welcomed foster/adoptive children into your family.
“YATOM is a loving organization that is at the forefront of support for adoptive and foster families. So often in an unconventional family journey we feel alone, even lost, with uncertainty and second guessing; its incredible that the Jewish community has YATOM to stand with our families as we traverse these tumultuous waters. They helped our family and I know they’d do it again if needed”
- Rabbi Chaim Bruk, Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana
- Rabbi Chaim Bruk, Chabad-Lubavitch of Montana
Learn About the Fellowship from our Founder
Articles from Past Fellows
As part of our Family Fellowship program, cohort participants publish an article about their journey on the path to foster/adoption. Here are some of their personal experiences shared in the hopes of offering inspiration and encouragement to anyone looking to answer the call to support vulnerable children. If you find these inspiring, visit our Press page to see more.
Cohort 7, Jane K - Halfway Through Adoption
Cohort 7, M. G. - Do Other People Take on Both IVF & Foster Care at the Same Time?
Cohort 5, Matt H - Jewish Adoption is a Possibility for my Family Because of YATOM
Cohort 7, Jane K - Halfway Through Adoption
Cohort 7, M. G. - Do Other People Take on Both IVF & Foster Care at the Same Time?
Cohort 5, Matt H - Jewish Adoption is a Possibility for my Family Because of YATOM
Past Family Fellowship Cohorts
Welcome Cohort 5!
MEET OUR COHORT 3 FELLOWS!
MEET OUR COHORT 2 FELLOWS!
MEET OUR COHORT 1 FELLOWS!
Already have an adopted or foster child? We still want you to be involved!
In partnership with Valley Beit Midrash
This project is funded by a grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix
To qualify for the YATOM Family Fellowship stipend, certain criteria must be met. Participants must demonstrate active participation based on stipulated criteria, provide documentation that they have been licensed by their state to foster and/or adopt by the end of the fellowship, submit an article that has been published by a Jewish news outlet, submit documentation they have hosted a community discussion regarding their experiences through the process and the fellowship, and submit a video, no more than 90 seconds in length, describing their experiences through the process and the fellowship.