LIBENU has been named one of North America’s top 50 innovative Jewish organizations in the thirteenth annual Slingshot Guide, Chicago Edition. The Guide has become a go-to resource for volunteers, activists and donors looking for new opportunities and projects that, through their innovative nature, will ensure the Jewish community remains relevant and thriving.
Selected from among hundreds of finalists reviewed by over 100 individuals with expertise in grant-making and Jewish communal life, the Guide called Libenu “innovative and inspirational” Organizations included in this year’s Guide were evaluated on their innovative approach, the impact they have in their work, the leadership they have in their sector, and their effectiveness at achieving results. Libenu is proud to be among the 50 organizations honored for meeting those standards.
The organizations included in the Guide are driving the future of Jewish life and engagement by motivating new audiences to participate in their work and responding to the needs of individuals and communities – both within and beyond the Jewish community – as never before.
“Libenu is proud to be selected in this year’s guide, and thrilled to be part of the amazing community of the hundreds of innovative Jewish organizations included in the Guide over the past eleven years who continue to create positive change in the Jewish community,” said Dr. Shana Erenberg, Executive Director.
Added Stefanie Rhodes, Executive Director of Slingshot, which publishes the Guide each year,
“Slingshot’s work is to help Jews find, fund and connect to meaningful, exciting experiences in Jewish life. We are proud to highlight organizations doing exceptional work, serving as the trailblazers for what is possible, meeting the community’s evolving needs and inspiring all of us. Whether we look to the guide for funding ideas, best practices or trends in Jewish life, it remains a resource for all of us, providing new tools and optimism for our collective future. We would like to thank our generous partners for helping support the Chicago edition of Slingshot 2018 – The Crown Family Philanthropies and the Jack and Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund.”
Sarah Rueven, Slingshot’s board chair, agreed, “We are excited to highlight the work of organizations like Libenu that strengthen Jewish life by rising to the challenges of the day and making our community more relevant to our generation. We are inspired by projects that help people connect to Jewish life in ways that both feel both fresh and relevant, while honoring our traditions. Readers will learn about valuable new projects and gain a deeper insight into the emerging needs in Jewish life, as identified by our community’s top leaders.”
Being listed in the Guide is often an important step for selected organizations to attain much needed additional funding and to expand the reach of their work, as the Guide is a frequently used resource for donors seeking to support organizations transforming the world in novel and interesting ways.
About the Slingshot Guide
The Slingshot Guide, now in its thirteenth year, was created by a team of young funders as a guidebook to help funders of all ages diversify their giving portfolios to include the most innovative and effective organizations, programs and projects in North America. The Guide contains information about each organization’s origin, mission, strategy, impact and budget, as well as details about its unique character. The Slingshot Guide has proven to be a catalyst for next generation funding and offers a telling snapshot of shifting trends in North America’s Jewish community – and how nonprofits are meeting new needs and reaching new audiences. The book, has been published annually since 2005. Each edition is available as a free download at www.slingshotfund.org, where you can learn more about Slingshot’s work and new strategy for continuing their impact into the future.
About Libenu
Libenu, from the Hebrew for “our hearts,” makes a heartfelt commitment to enable people with disabilities to live their best lives and maximize their self-determination in an inclusive community setting. It provides person-centered opportunities for Jewish children and adults with developmental disabilities to live independent, meaningful lives, with dignity and respect, as fully included members of the community. Founded in 2010 Libenu provides residential, vocational, social, recreational, and respite programs in Chicago.
Libenu provides inclusion-based, gold standards of care in all of its residences, programs, social enterprises, and partnerships. Its kosher, state-of-the-art residences serve 20 clients, 40 parents, 100 siblings, and 500 community members, and it just opened a new home for women in January 2018. Meals with Friends enables clients to join their neighbors for Shabbat and holidays, as well as their neurotypical peers for weekly social and recreational activities. Libenu’s reach affects more than its residents; it provides peace of mind for families and assurance that their child’s future is secure. In conjunction with Jewish Child & Family Services, Libenu provides after school care for younger children with special needs and features a Jewish curriculum in a nurturing environment. Libenu’s vocational programming—Cupfuls of Love, featuring residents’ artwork on hot cups sold to local Chicago cafés, and Artisan Crafts, where clients make and sell handmade goods—has served as a model for other agencies looking to expand their own vocational service. Libenu is an advocate for acceptance and inclusion, and its work is spreading community awareness to the Jewish people—both in our minds and “our hearts.”
