YALLA, (Young Adults Living Life Always) a 5-year old NY-based organization was started by the one and only amazing Faigie Schwartz for people like me with serious debilitating medical conditions ages 18+. We have events during the year and a yearly summer trip, all funded by generous people like yourself. It is a completely nonprofit organization.
There are some people on this earth who are just walking, talking malachim (angels) in human bodies. Faigie Schwartz is such a person. YALLA was born by her just arranging some get-togethers PURELY so that people like us can benefit from seeing friends and having support while doing fun things like anyone else would want. She didn’t have any ulterior motives or selfish reasons at all but just because she cares so much about adding happiness to the lives of each and everyone of us. Faigie is someone who teaches you can do anything you set your mind to and MORE! YALLA expanded greatly since then and now... From Project Inspire to summer trips to other events during the year, shabbatons including over 160 participants. If that wasn’t enough, she organized a mini shabbaton when I came in from LA to NY for a brief visit!! It was a blast! I did not expect it and it was the sweetest thing ever!
In August the 19th to the 29th, the ultimate dream trip occurred. Faigie has been tirelessly working towards this Israel trip since the very beginning, when YALLA was born. I was zoche to be on the first ever YALLA birthright trip!!!! It. Was. Epic. I was at the kosel (western wall) and thinking, wow! I’m finally here, home like all my friends have been before me... the experience will be engraved in my heart forever. 10 days spent with all my favorite people. Who knew?? To be in the holy land is such a gift!!!! It felt like a glorious dream but it was real! It actually happened!..
YALLA helps us be like everyone else in a safe medically supervised environment while having the opportunity to meet new friends and bond with old friends. YALLA has been around only a short time but has become my family and burns so strongly in my soul. On the darkest of days of my life when hope runs low, YALLA is there for me and gives me hope and light.
