How One Crown Heights Initiative is Bridging the “Gap” for Local Families

by Harrice Rubinstein

In Crown Heights, a movement is taking place. It is happening behind closed doors, in therapist offices, and in the classrooms of our local yeshivos. It is a revolution of dignity, creating a safety net for the families who have, until now, silently fallen through the cracks.

For years, we have spoken about the “tuition crisis” or the “housing crisis.” But recently, a new term has entered the Crown Heights lexicon, coined by the upstart Bereishis Foundation: the “Gap Family.”

These are the families that form the backbone of our community. They are the teachers, the small business owners, the administrative professionals. They earn a paycheck, often just enough to disqualify them from Medicaid or government assistance, but far too little to cover the staggering cost of market-rate mental health care, which can run upwards of $200 a session.

For a long time, these families had nowhere to turn. Today, thanks to a groundswell of grassroots support, that is changing.

Restoring Dignity to the “Working Middle”

“The concept is simple but revolutionary,” explains Azriel Boymelgreen, founder of the Bereishis Foundation. “We realized that financial stress was becoming a barrier to Pikuach Nefesh. We have parents who are working incredibly hard, carrying debt, and doing everything right. When their child faces a mental health challenge, they shouldn’t have to choose between their mortgage and their child’s stability. That’s a choice no parent should ever have to make.”

The Foundation’s approach is unique in the non-profit world. Rather than offering handouts, they act as a “financial bridge.” They pay therapists directly, allowing families to access top-tier care with dignity and anonymity.

The results have been nothing short of miraculous. Take “Leo” (name changed for privacy), a young child on the foundation’s caseload. 5 months ago, due to complex trauma, he had stopped eating dinner with his family and was struggling with severe aggression. His parents were overwhelmed and tapped out financially.

The Foundation stepped in to bridge the gap. After months of consistent, fully funded therapy, Leo didn’t just stabilize, he thrived. Last week, his therapist shared a milestone: Leo drew a picture of his family using bright colors for the first time, a small but monumental signal that trust had been rebuilt.

“We aren’t just paying bills,” Boymelgreen says. “We are buying futures. We are giving these children the tools to build healthy Jewish homes one day.”

More Than Just Funding: A Culture Shift in Schools

While the financial subsidies are the engine of the foundation, the “Ruach & Resilience” initiative has become its heart. Recognizing that prevention is better than intervention, the Foundation has rolled out a comprehensive curriculum in local schools designed to tackle the root causes of anxiety and social exclusion.

The program addresses the sensitive nuances of peer pressure and bullying with a distinctly Chassidic flavor.

This proactive approach is empowering a new generation of teenagers to be “first responders” for their friends. The Foundation’s guide, “How to Help a Friend,” has become a vital resource for teens navigating the complex waters of peer mental health. It empowers them to identify when a friend is struggling and, crucially, gives them the permission and scripts to alert an adult without feeling like they are “betraying” a confidence.

The Power of the Many: The “Dollar a Week” Movement

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of this story is how the community has responded. Understanding that large philanthropists can’t solve every problem, the Foundation launched the “Dollar a Week” initiative.

It is a modern take on the old-school Maamadot the idea that the community serves as a steady, reliable pillar of support.

“There is something very powerful about hundreds of people giving just one dollar,” notes a local mechanech. “It signals to these families that they are not alone. It’s not about one rich donor saving the day. It’s about the entire community linking arms and saying, ‘We’ve got you.'”

Breaking the Siege of Stigma

As we move through the winter months, a time of introspection, the work of the Bereishis Foundation is a bright light. They have managed to do what many thought impossible: they have destigmatized the need for financial help in the realm of mental health.

By framing therapy as a necessary vessel for serving Hashem, no different than buying Kosher food or paying tuition they have normalized the conversation.

“Miriam,” an 11-year-old beneficiary, was paralyzed by anxiety a few months ago, unable to speak in class. Today, her teachers report that she is raising her hand and participating in school plays.

“That is the victory,” – Boymelgreen. “When a child raises their hand in class, it means the siege is broken. It means they feel safe enough to be seen.”

As Crown Heights continues to grow, challenges will always arise. But knowing that an infrastructure now exists to catch those falling into the “gap” allows us all to breathe a little easier. It is a testament to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s vision of Ahavas Yisrael, love that is not just felt in the heart, but expressed through tangible, life-saving action.

To learn more about the resources available, or to see the “How to Help a Friend” guide, the community is invited to visit www.bereishisfoundation.org.