Every year, at our Zero Tolerance Benefit, Sanctuary for Families honors those who have significantly contributed to the movement to end gender-based violence. This year, we are thrilled to present the 2023 Zero Tolerance Award to Yana Lukeman, activist and former co-chair of Sanctuary’s Family Council.

INTRODUCING YANA

Yana Lukeman has been involved with Sanctuary for Families for over 15 years. She was one of the earliest leaders of Sanctuary’s Family Council (originally called the Mother’s Council}, a group of parents who volunteer with their children in support of Sanctuary’s clients and mission. Yana has always believed strongly in the importance of teaching children about philanthropy
and has spent years providing hands-on enrichment to Sanctuary’s youngest clients with her own children.

She has created and executed countless projects that brighten the holidays for clients of Sanctuary, including Mother’s Day care packages and personalized gift baskets for Valentine’s Day. She and her family have been loyal participants at the annual Thanksgiving celebrations for clients, complete with buffet dinners and activities for children. Yana has hosted numerous events
in her home to share Sanctuary’s mission with a broader community, and has brought awareness and support to Sanctuary projects like the Orthodox Jewish Matrimonial Initiative and the Technology-Facilitated Abuse Initiative.

Through all this and more, Yana has become a passionate supporter and an enthusiastic advocate of Sanctuary’s holistic model. Her passion has inspired many others to join the Sanctuary community.

An immigrant from Israel and a former public school teacher, Yana serves on the national board of directors for AIPAC and is a founding member of the women’s division. Yana completed her undergraduate degree at George Washington University and received her Masters at Columbia University. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.