The Blank family of Brooklyn, New York has four young children, two of whom have a severe disability. Neither of the children who are medically fragile can walk, eat, or breathe on their own. It is impossible for the Blanks to leave home as a family – on vacation, to attend a simchah, or even to go to the ice cream store.

The Blanks are members of YahalomNY, Agudath Israel’s division that provides resources and support for New York families of children with special needs. Yahalom previously connected the Blanks with resources that enabled them to get two full-time nurses to help care for their children with disabilities, at a time when there was a nursing shortage.

YahalomNY reached out to Chesed Mobility, a Lakewood-based nonprofit, and asked for the organization’s help in procuring a van that has space for both of the Blanks’ children, their aides, and their medical equipment.

Chesed Mobility responded that they would be happy to help, although the family had unique requirements, and it would be costly. YahalomNY and Chesed Mobility worked with friends of the family and the community who successfully raised the money to provide a van for the Blanks.

“We have provided vans for over 100 individuals but finding a van that could fit not one, but two wheelchairs and accessories was a challenge,” said Rabbi Raphael Gelly, director of Chesed Mobility. “It took a group of incredible people working together, and when we presented the Blanks with their van, it was a very fulfilling moment.”

“Every time Yahalom successfully matches an individual with the right resources, it is a beautiful story,” said Miss Tova Wacholder, director of YahalomNY. “Watching the Blanks go out as a family was a particularly magnificent moment.

To donate towards Chesed Mobility’s life-changing work, visit chesedmobility.org. Contact them at [email protected].

To contact Miss Wacholder at YahalomNY, call 212.747.8763 or email [email protected].

To contact a different Yahalom office:

Yahalom Chicago: Mrs. Fiona Kark, 773.279.8400 ext. 266, [email protected]

YahalomFL: Mrs. Tzippy Richmond, 305.532.2500 ext. 3, [email protected]

YahalomMD: Mrs. Meira Burkom, 667.430.0901, [email protected]