Recipients of the YATOM Micro-Grant Program
Matthew and Chi Isiogu - High school sweethearts that have recently embarked on the adoption journey together. They received support to make improvements to their home that will allow them to maintain Chi’s stained glass art studio while welcoming young ones into their Jewish Family.
Shoshana Green - Shoshana first met Andre five years ago, when she was one of his first grade teachers. They had a strong connection, one that they maintained despite his frequent moves and school changes. Andre moved in with Shoshana in February 2019, changing both of their lives for the better, and she plans to adopt him.
Gerald Olson - After a long and winding journey on the road to becoming a parent, I got a phone call in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week, in the middle of life. Less than 24 hours later, my newborn son was at home with me. Following 15 months navigating the Los Angeles County foster system, the adoption was final and we became a legal family – but we were connected the minute I laid eyes on him.
All parenting is a faith experience but adoption is a uniquely spiritual journey. It requires seemingly impossible leaps of faith and endless valleys of patience. Beyond the conventional boundaries of biology or genetics, it requires one to redefine what makes family – I am discovering that is a mystical connection and divine relationship.
As a writer and a single parent, the generous grant from YATOM will help support my son and I as I embark on writing the book/memoir of our family/adoption journey. It will help provide the additional nurturing he gets from our nanny who has been helping me care for him since his first few months.
All parenting is a faith experience but adoption is a uniquely spiritual journey. It requires seemingly impossible leaps of faith and endless valleys of patience. Beyond the conventional boundaries of biology or genetics, it requires one to redefine what makes family – I am discovering that is a mystical connection and divine relationship.
As a writer and a single parent, the generous grant from YATOM will help support my son and I as I embark on writing the book/memoir of our family/adoption journey. It will help provide the additional nurturing he gets from our nanny who has been helping me care for him since his first few months.
Kylene Barker - I've always had a heart for adoption and decided to foster a child within Los Angeles county- as there is a great need locally. I met Baby C at twelve days old and he has forever changed my heart.
His immense love, excitement, curiosity about the world, and incredible spirit inspire me every day.
His immense love, excitement, curiosity about the world, and incredible spirit inspire me every day.
Rabbi Ruven Barkan & Adina Weber - "After years of seeking to build our family, we eventually found our way via Foster Care. We love our role as part of a team to provide a safe place for a child as the state supports a reunification plan with the parents. Additionally, we are grateful that we can serve as a safety-net for children who need a permanent home. We have fostered seven children, some for two days and others for nearly a year. Our greatest joy in life is our daughter who joined our family three years ago."
YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network is excited to announce our micro-grant to Chai Solomon. With a story that spans continents and surmountable challenges, Chai's commitment to supporting vulnerable children is strong and clear. In her words:
"Adoption has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. My daughters were born from my heart, and if you think my hands are full you should see my heart️! I am their Mommy and they are my daughters, a special family that was created by love, not by genes."
"Adoption has been the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. My daughters were born from my heart, and if you think my hands are full you should see my heart️! I am their Mommy and they are my daughters, a special family that was created by love, not by genes."
Shari Judah
YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network is so honored to award a micro-grant to Shari Judah, a single mom who has been a foster parent for three years. Shari, a speech pathologist, is currently in the process of adopting two boys all while raising her biological son. Shari's commitment to protecting vulnerable children is worthy of countless praise and we are excited that we are able to assist her on her journey!
AhuvaBatia Chan
YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network is so proud to share that our latest micro-grant has been awarded to AhuvaBatia Chan. AhuvaBatia's experiences on her fostering journey inspired us so much. We are proud to share her words: "HaShem has gifted me with the opportunity to provide care for three beautiful foster children. It's been an extraordinary experience to be the primary caretaker of these precious neshamas, but I wouldn't have been able to do it alone. My community came together to support me and the children; in addition, I am so grateful for YATOM's assistance. It came at a particularly critical time and allowed me to not be distracted by expenses but rather focus on my primary concern of caring for these amazing children."
Jeremy T. Singer and Hilary Cohen Singer & Family
YATOM is excited to announce that our latest micro-grant program recipients are Jeremy T Singer and Hilary Cohen Singer of Overland Park, KS. From taking in a week old baby with a special needs, to looking after two young boys for the better part of a school year, the Singer Family's commitment to protecting and supporting vulnerable children is foundational to their expression of Judaism's highest values and the need to repair our broken world. We are so proud to award them a micro-grant so that they continue to provide a foster home for children for years to come!
Mary Margaret Rubenstein and Rachel Rubenstein
Yatom: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network is pleased to announce that the next recipients of our micro-grant program are Mary Margaret Rubenstein and Rachel Rubenstein. When Mary and Rochel were introduced to their foster daughter two years ago, they were novices as foster parents. Over the next several years, they poured all of their love to their foster daughter, who, sadly, also faced some considerable health challenges. Though there have been many rounds of hospitalization and specialized care, Mary and Rochel cannot be prouder of their daughter and of the community that has supported them throughout the years. " Our journey is certainly about our family," they write, "but this story is much more about the power of a wider Jewish community." YATOM is inspired & incredibly proud to support Mary & Rochel as they model the best of Jewish values while also doing providing the highest quality of care and love to a vulnerable child. (Photo credit: Shterna Goldbloom)
Rabbi Chaim & Rebbetizin Chavie Bruk and Family
YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network is thrilled and blessed to announce that Rabbi Chaim Bruk, his wife Mrs. Chavie Bruk, and their five adopted children are the first recipients of funds from YATOM's micro-grant program. The Bruk Family's journey of adoption and fostering is one of the most inspirational we have encountered in our work. Rabbi Bruk, the emissary of Chabad Lubavitch of Montana, works tirelessly to guide families around the world on their foster/adoption journey while also raising their own adopted children. And it is because of the Bruks' indefatigable pursuit of mitzvot, chesed, and love of vulnerable children that YATOM feels honored to support their family and their work.
