For Andrea Sak, being part of an inclusive Jewish community is important-and it's also personal.
That's why Sak, whose future brother-in-law has cerebral palsy, joined the JUF Young Leadership Division's Peer Program.
Launched three years ago, the program fosters a more inclusive, welcoming environment for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, by matching them with trained Peer volunteers who accompany them to events.
"Being a Peer is challenging, but impactful," said Sak, a YLD board member who has participated in the program for a year. "I have more patience and think more open-mindedly."
After observing a rise in the number of adults with disabilities participating in YLD events, the Peers program seemed like a logical next step. "We sought ways to help these participants feel more at home," said Marissa Comin, JUF's Associate Vice President of Community Outreach & Engagement.
The Peer Program has become essential to YLD's work, according to Ben Wolfson, YLD Senior Young Adult Engagement Associate, who administers the program. "The program empowers young adults with disabilities to participate in YLD events with a Peer by their side, fostering an environment of belonging in the YLD community for all Jewish young adults."
In 2021, the first cohort of volunteers graduated from a training course on accompanying people with disabilities to YLD events, to provide the support they might need to socialize. While it's designed to support people with disabilities, the program also benefits those that feel insecure about their social skills.
There are currently 35 Peers, and the number is growing. With the training now available online in addition to in-person, the course can take place at a potential Peer's convenience. Recently, Peers have been matched up at Bulls and Cubs games, at YLD's own summer softball league, at a
za'atar
spice-mix cooking class, and in YLD's Gesher leadership development program. One can request a Peer before attending an event, Wolfson said, simply by checking a box on the event's registration form.
Avi Lesser, a 2019 "36 Under 36" honoree, participated in a recent YLD Shul Shuffle event. "People get together on Shabbat for an hour," he explained, visiting a different synagogue each time. Lesser, who has Williams Syndrome, says he especially enjoys "engaging in conversation and having fun."
Lesser has also attended WYLD, Big Event, and Shabbat dinners with Peers, "and I'm open for more," he said, laughing.
The program is a collaboration of three JUF programs: TOV, JUF's volunteer network, recruits potential Peers; Encompass provides the training; and YLD partners Peers with event attendees who need them, while allowing Peers to attend events free of charge.
Encompass facilitates the training with its JUF-affiliated agency partners that serve adults with disabilities- JCFS Chicago and Keshet-as well as Libenu and Yachad, which also serves the disabilities community.
"They provide the personal, one-on-one support a person needs to participate, helping with accessibility and sensory challenges," said Jodi Newmark, Director of JUF's Encompass program. "We help them engage with others, and offer the kind of help they need, as much as they need it."
For Sak, providing all participants with the necessary support is among the most fulfilling aspects of serving as a Peer. "With the Peer program," she said, "they know they have a guaranteed friend."
To become a YLD Peer, or to request a YLD Peer for an upcoming event, contact Ben Wolfson at benwolfson@juf.org
or call 312-357-4505.
