The Ark

We were honored to welcome the American Friends of Israel War Disabled Foundation to The Ark and to share our community with you. Hearing your powerful and deeply moving stories was an unforgettable experience.

We are grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside you, learn from your experiences, and welcome you as part of The Ark’s extended family.

When Adina’s SNAP payment was paused last October, her first call was to The Ark.

Now, with long-term SNAP and Medicaid cuts ahead, families like Adina’s are facing even more uncertainty.

Our community makes it possible for The Ark to provide emergency and long-term assistance to every Chicagoland Jew who turns to us in need. Nearly 5,000 supporters have contributed this past year, and we’re profoundly grateful.

Our giving year ends on June 30. If you have not yet joined our community of supporters this year, please consider making a gift today.

https://give.arkchicago.org/renew/

Thank you to Mem Global for visiting The Ark last week!

Their team toured our Chicago location and spent time volunteering in The Ark’s Market, helping prepare our pantry to serve clients with dignity and choice.

We are grateful for partners like Mem Global who show up for our community through learning, service, and action.

We are grateful to the General Assembly, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the many advocates and community partners across Illinois who helped secure FRESH for Illinois.

This new program will provide $400 in one-time emergency assistance to up to 175,000 Illinoisans who are expected to lose SNAP benefits over the next year. It is an important step forward, but we know families across our community will continue to need support.

The Ark is proud to be part of the SaveOurSNAP Coalition and to stand with partners across Illinois in advocating for access to food, dignity, and stability.

Learn more: saveoursnap.org/fy27-budget-statement

The Ark welcomed Evolve Giving Group for a two-day company retreat filled with learning, team building, and hands-on service.

As part of their time onsite, the Evolve team planted flowers in planters and around The Ark’s parking lot, helping make our space more welcoming for clients, volunteers, staff, and visitors.

Thank you to Evolve Giving Group for choosing The Ark as a place to gather, connect, and give back.

The Ark welcomes corporate groups for service projects, onsite visits, and meaningful team experiences.

We’re grateful to the JUF Chicago Jewish Teen Foundation’s Voices committee (TOV Teens-Volunteering) for awarding The Ark a $5,343 grant to support our Child & Family Wellness program.

Through this grant, youth and teens will gain access to counseling, childcare, and wraparound services that help them learn, grow, and feel connected to the support they need to thrive.

Thank you to these young leaders for recognizing the needs of our community and helping make this work possible.

Chag Shavuot Sameach from all of us at The Ark!

Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah and is traditionally marked by dairy foods, especially cheesecake. This year, we are grateful to Eli's Cheesecake Company for donating 20 cases of kosher cheesecake for our clients to enjoy during the holiday.

In the spirit of Shavuot and the Book of Ruth, we are reminded that simple acts of kindness can help build a more connected community.

Thank you to our incredible volunteers for helping set up our Yom Yerushalayim celebration and creating gift bags filled with Israeli-themed goodies for our clients.

A special thank you to Sarah's Tent Skokie Kosher Market for providing delicious sweet and savory Israeli snacks, and to Ayelet Tours for donating travel-themed items, including hats, luggage tags, globes, and the much-loved Ayelet stuffed animal. These thoughtful touches helped bring the feeling of a special trip to Israel into the room.

We are also grateful to Adina's Designer Cookies for the beautiful Jerusalem-themed cookies that made the celebration feel even more special.

Please visit their pages to learn more about their wonderful work. Thank you all for helping bring the spirit of Jerusalem to The Ark.

Last Friday, The Ark’s community room was filled with music, Israeli food, and celebration for a special Yom Yerushalayim Musical Extravaganza.

Guests enjoyed an Israeli-themed lunch, live music from the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, and time to celebrate together as a community.

We were honored to welcome the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, Elad Strohmayer, along with Rabbi Reuven Brand, Rosh Kollel, and Rabbi Yitzchak Mandel, Rosh Chabura, of the YU Torah Mitzion Kollel of Chicago, as special guests.

Thank you to the Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts for making this celebration possible, and to our volunteers, partners, and guests who helped bring the spirit of Jerusalem to The Ark.

The Ark is hiring a Benefits Navigation Specialist in Chicago to help clients access critical public benefits and navigate complex systems with clarity and compassion.

This role conducts benefit screenings and helps individuals apply for and maintain public benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare. It also manages referrals, stays current on eligibility requirements, and works with government agencies to resolve issues.

This is an opportunity to do mission-driven work in a supportive, collaborative environment, with competitive pay, excellent benefits, and generous PTO.

Learn more and apply by clicking the link below:

https://arkchicago.org/the-ark-is-hiring-benefits-navigation-specialist/

Please share with your network!

The Ark is Hiring: Benefits Navigation Specialist The Benefits Navigation Specialist supports clients in accessing critical public benefits by guiding them through eligibility screenings, applications, and renewals. This role combines technical expertise with compassionate service to help individuals and families achieve greater stability.