Yana Lukeman, 2023 Zero Tolerance Honoree

Every year, at our Zero Tolerance Benefit, Sanctuary for Families honors those who have significantly contributed to the movement to end gender-based violence.

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.

Jennifer L. Kroman, 2023 Zero Tolerance Honoree

Every year, at our Zero Tolerance Benefit, Sanctuary for Families honors those who have significantly contributed to the movement to end gender-based violence.

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 Jennifer L. Kroman, co-founder of the FurtherJustice Foundation, Inc.

INTRODUCING JENNIFER

Jennifer is a lifelong champion of creating opportunities for underrepresented individuals and communities, including survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Most recently, she co-founded FurtherJustice Foundation, which helps community-based organizations launch and expand civil legal services programs.

Prior to that, Jennifer spent more than a decade as the leader of the award-winning pro bona practice at the law firm Cleary Gottlieb. Throughout her career, including as an associate and partner at Cleary, Jennifer provided direct legal services to hundreds of low-income clients. She also has trained scores of pro bono lawyers around the country to represent human trafficking survivors and has helped launch numerous pro bono legal service programs.

Jennifer has been involved with Sanctuary for Families for more than 25 years. She has personally taken on some of Sanctuary’s most challenging pro bono cases. Jennifer joined Sanctuary’s Board in 2014 and has been a source of invaluable wisdom and guidance for the past nine years.

In addition to being honored by Sanctuary, Jennifer has been honored by The Legal Aid Society, The Freedom Network, and the New York City Bar Justice Center for her work with low-income New Yorkers, immigrant children, and human trafficking survivors.

Jennifer received a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Michigan.

Laura & Marvin Reiskin: 2023 Pillars of Change Honorees

For going above and beyond to support survivors in their quest towards living wage jobs within Sanctuary’s Economic Empowerment Program.

After retiring in 2015, Laura Reiskin began volunteering at a few organizations before being introduced to Sanctuary for Families by a former colleague. Laura was immediately drawn to the mission of Sanctuary and felt a personal connection as a survivor of domestic violence. She was especially excited about Sanctuary’s Economic Empowerment Program (EEP) and supporting survivors in their quest towards living wage jobs.

Laura began volunteering with EEP’s Interview Prep, assisting program participants with practicing job interviewing. It wasn’t long before Laura got her husband, Marvin, involved, attending events and joining the Career Advancement Network (CAN), Sanctuary’s affinity group of volunteers who focus their time, resources, and connections on the Economic Empowerment Program.

Sarah Hayes, Director of Economic Mobility, shared, “Laura and Marvin are committed to leveraging their established networks to create upskilling opportunities for Economic Empowerment Program participants. Their work with EEP represents the chance for many participants to recognize their dreams of living wage employment”.

The connections and support that Laura and Marvin have shared with EEP have positively and unmeasurably impacted the lives of survivors. They have directly connected multiple participants to internships and job placements.

I think my service helps clients feel more confident in their ability to succeed – so many clients have very low self-esteem, and having volunteers with professional credentials in a variety of industries and positions, actually helping them prepare for their entry/re-entry into the workplace, is an added ingredient to the already successful formal training they are receiving.” ~Laura Reiskin

A recent meeting of the Career Advancement Network was focused on engaging city government as partners in EEP’s important work. Thanks to Marvin’s guidance in this area, the meeting was a huge success and has further informed the EEP team on how best to secure internships and job placements for participants in city government.

“It is rare to come across individuals who so readily offer up their networks and connections for the benefit of our clients. Laura and Marvin’s tireless efforts to support and advocate the program’s benefits are perfect examples of the integral volunteer efforts that make Sanctuary successful in its work with survivors”.

-Sarah Hayes, Director of Economic Mobility

On behalf of all of us at Sanctuary for Families, thank you for helping to end the cycle of violence with your unending support toward the economic empowerment of survivors and their families.

“The reward is mine – I receive far more reward back from this work than I give. I feel such gratitude and satisfaction watching the clients grow and prosper”.

-Laura Reiskin

To learn more about Laura and Marvin and their work, please join us on April 20th from 6:00 – 7:30 PM at Pillars of Change.

Register for the event

Simon Kwon: 2023 Pillars of Change Honoree

For his incredible commitment as a volunteer tutor for some of the most vulnerable student-aged clients at Sarah Burke House at the height of the pandemic.

For the last two years, Simon Kwon has devoted his time and skills as a volunteer tutor in various roles at Sanctuary for Families. Simon joined Sanctuary’s weekly virtual homework help sessions through a partnership with NYU’s Dean’s Service Honors Corp in the height of the pandemic. When educational support was greatly needed for some of the most vulnerable student-aged clients at Sarah Burke House, Sanctuary’s large transitional shelter, Simon provided a constant presence during an otherwise uncertain time.

Simon stated, “The tutoring program gives students the opportunity to supplement the learning they do in school in a more personal, slower-paced context.” Sanctuary’s tutoring programs help with academic support and create a safe, empowering space for growth. Simon recalled the memorable moment when his first student read a complete sentence independently, “Focusing on one student this semester has allowed me to watch his steady progress, which is the most rewarding aspect of any teaching role. Sating the curiosity and the natural appetite for learning of a young student has always been a gift.”

Simon’s first grade student said, “I learn about shapes, measuring, writing, and reading”. When asked about his tutoring sessions with Simon, he replied, “I love him so much. Have a great day Mr. Simon”.

Hope Faison, Manager of Volunteer Relations, has seen firsthand how Simon’s commitment to Sanctuary extends beyond his passion and dedication to tutoring:

“Simon has shown tremendous commitment to our clients through the last several years of tutoring support while being a full-time student at NYU. He continues to show up for our clients by providing educational support and desires to extend his support by making an impact with our legal team in the near future.”

All of us at Sanctuary for Families are grateful for Simon’s expertise and continued support.

To learn more about Simon and his work, please join us on April 20th from 6:00 – 7:30 PM at Pillars of Change.

Register for the event