About
Keshet Programs offers classroom experiences, Sunday School, Sunday programs, after school activities, sports and fitness, art class, and a range of social activities. The program also includes Day Camp, School Day Out, Winter Camps, Spring Break Camps, Overnight Camp, youth and adult travel, meet-ups, adult outings, vocational activities, adult day programs, and residential programs. Keshet Programs includes Judaics learning through programs such as First Friends and Melton, along with special events throughout the year.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Price: $221230 Granted in scholarships in 2024
Keshet Programs provides education, recreation, adult, and residential programs for people with disabilities. Keshet is described as a one-of-a-kind organization that brings classroom experiences, camps, sports, social and vocational activities, and residential opportunities to 600 people with disabilities and special needs each year. Keshet continues to run more than 75 programs in the Chicago area and Wisconsin, with 3 residences, 200 staff and lay leaders, dozens of community and corporate partners, thousands of donors, and 4,000 school and camp peers, volunteers, family members, coworkers and friends impacted each year. The adult day program, GADOL, has had a 62% increase in participants since 2020. The mission of Keshet Programs is “Providing support, purpose and joy to people of all abilities.”
The leadership team includes Jennifer Phillips (Chief Executive Officer), Brenda DeMattio (Chief Program Officer), Jamie Lake (Chief Communications Officer), and Erich Kirr (Chief Financial Officer). Additional directors and program leaders include Aroma Blomquist (Director of Adult Services), Lexi Silvers-Castillon (Director of Development), Anca Beniuc (Director of Finance), Robin Horton (Director of Human Resources), Lisa Lew (Director of Quality Assurance), and Alex Pomerantz (Director of Recreation & Camp). Recreation and specific program areas are led by Courtney Fecske (Recreation Program Manager for youth and adult recreation, Special Olympics, sports and fitness, Sunday Schools and Sunday Programs), Drew McNamara (Assistant Director of Day Camp, including Day Camp, School Day Out, Winter and Spring Break Camps), Polly Cheeseman (Assistant Director of Overnight Camp & Trips, including Overnight Camp and youth and adult travel), Nikki Katz (Adult Services Recreation Program Coordinator for Meet-Ups), and Rachel Truger (Recreation Operations Associate for registration and general questions). Jewish life programs, including Judaics, First Friends, and Melton, are led by Bat-El Lieberman (Director of Jewish Life).
Keshet is a partner with Jewish United Fund in serving the community, and Keshet and JCC Chicago are partners in providing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.
Last updated January 12, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Price: $221230 Granted in scholarships in 2024
Keshet Programs provides education, recreation, adult, and residential programs for people with disabilities. Keshet is described as a one-of-a-kind organization that brings classroom experiences, camps, sports, social and vocational activities, and residential opportunities to 600 people with disabilities and special needs each year. Keshet continues to run more than 75 programs in the Chicago area and Wisconsin, with 3 residences, 200 staff and lay leaders, dozens of community and corporate partners, thousands of donors, and 4,000 school and camp peers, volunteers, family members, coworkers and friends impacted each year. The adult day program, GADOL, has had a 62% increase in participants since 2020. The mission of Keshet Programs is “Providing support, purpose and joy to people of all abilities.”
The leadership team includes Jennifer Phillips (Chief Executive Officer), Brenda DeMattio (Chief Program Officer), Jamie Lake (Chief Communications Officer), and Erich Kirr (Chief Financial Officer). Additional directors and program leaders include Aroma Blomquist (Director of Adult Services), Lexi Silvers-Castillon (Director of Development), Anca Beniuc (Director of Finance), Robin Horton (Director of Human Resources), Lisa Lew (Director of Quality Assurance), and Alex Pomerantz (Director of Recreation & Camp). Recreation and specific program areas are led by Courtney Fecske (Recreation Program Manager for youth and adult recreation, Special Olympics, sports and fitness, Sunday Schools and Sunday Programs), Drew McNamara (Assistant Director of Day Camp, including Day Camp, School Day Out, Winter and Spring Break Camps), Polly Cheeseman (Assistant Director of Overnight Camp & Trips, including Overnight Camp and youth and adult travel), Nikki Katz (Adult Services Recreation Program Coordinator for Meet-Ups), and Rachel Truger (Recreation Operations Associate for registration and general questions). Jewish life programs, including Judaics, First Friends, and Melton, are led by Bat-El Lieberman (Director of Jewish Life).
Keshet is a partner with Jewish United Fund in serving the community, and Keshet and JCC Chicago are partners in providing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities.
Last updated January 12, 2026.
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