Jchoice.Org

Footsteps provides supportive services to individuals seeking to explore the world beyond the insular ultra-orthodox communities in which they were raised.  The Footsteps’ “Window on the World” program will introduce our participants to the cultural offerings they have missed while living in restricted communities. It will allow these participants to experience art, cinema, theater, dance and music as a way of connecting to the world around them and expanding their view of the world, its people and the beauty of the cultural arts. The professional staff will help our participants prepare for each cultural experience by instructing them about the proper attire and social conventions associated with attending an arts program. Additionally the staff will meet with our participants to prepare them to understand the content of the program in advance and follow up the experience by discussing the meaning of the event and its emotional impact on attendees.

Footsteps was founded in 2003 by Malkie Schwartz to provide supportive services to individuals seeking to explore the world beyond the insular ultra-orthodox communities in which they were raised. Footsteps provides educational, vocational, social and emotional support to help our participants integrate fully into the world “outside” of their communities and become productive, independent, secure citizens of the world. We offer educational programs to help our participants learn English, Math and Science so that they can receive their GEDs and attend college if they wish. We provide life skill enhancements such as job training, vocational counseling and computer skills. We support our participants emotionally and help them develop the social skills necessary for them to feel comfortable navigating what is to them a new world.

Our participants’ previous restricted life style kept them from becoming knowledgeable and comfortable participating in the general culture around them. When they do enter schools or work places with people not raised like them, besides lacking the language and math skills that others have, they also do not share any cultural references to modern music, television, film etc. Over 40% of our participants make less then $10,000 per year and have very limited resources to attend any cultural events. The “Window on the World” program would provide the entry fees to museums, tickets for movies and other cultural events so that our participants can begin to develop an appreciation of these arts as well as to be able to interact with their peers more comfortably. Jchoice.org’s support will enable us to assist our participants to be more comfortable with the world around them and will also introduce them to the important world of the cultural arts.

We are the only organization outside of “Open gates” in Israel to provide services to this unique population. We work to help our participants become comfortable productive members of the world community. All our programs whether educational, cultural or emotional are designed to help our participants integrate fully to the world around them.

“Everyone's heard about the practical ways in which Footsteps helps people out, and I've benefited from that too: financial aid, tutoring, job assistance, classes on various topics, and more. But more importantly than the practical aspects are the social and emotional benefits which Footsteps brought to my life: The friends that I have made through Footsteps and the support provided by the staff played an invaluable role in my ability to healthily get through what is a very turbulent and emotionally trying transition. Adapting to a new lifestyle is hard enough on its own. To have to do it by yourself, without a support structure to encourage you and assist you when you're feeling lost and overwhelmed is something no one should have to go through. Thanks to Footsteps, no one has to anymore.” Avi age 32

“I left a world where choice is stifled under the guise of religion. My transition was very difficult, but absolutely necessary. I have since married (of choice!) and I have two (only!) children. I wish more people managed to break away successfully. Bless you a million times for the center you have opened and the hope you are giving daily to our brothers and sisters” Noam, age 34.

Unfortunately due to the confidentiality requirements that we must uphold for the protection of our participants, we cannot accept any volunteers under the age of 18.

However, Other ways for you to get involved:

a. Donate Funds.

b. Organize an event to raise funding for this organization.

c. Connect with Footsteps, Inc. via JChice.org.