It has been four years since Naomi Eisenberger, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Good People Fund (www.goodpeoplefund.org) first connected with Fraidy Reiss, Founder and Executive Director of UnCHAINED At Last.  From the start, Naomi believed in Fraidy’s determination and mission to build and grow UnCHAINED At Last from the ground up, and soon became the organization’s first major supporter.  Fraidy’s own experience of leaving an abusive, arranged marriage within an insular religious community inspired her to start UnCHAINED at Last to help others who needed to do the same but did not have the resources or know how.  The Good People Fund is an organization rooted in the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam (repairing the world) that offers financial support and mentorship to small, effective initiatives in the U.S. and Israel , dedicated to repairing the world.  Since 2012, UnCHAINED at Last has received nearly $60,0000 from the Fund in grants to support clients as well as to help build the organization’s infrastructure.

On October 17th, Eisenberger, along with Susan Fleisch, MSW, LSCW, who serves on Unchained’s board of advisors and who both have worked tirelessly to help unchain women from coercive marriages, will be honored at their annual event for the work they have done with UnCHAINED at Last.  Since its inception in 2011, UnCHAINED at Last has provided free legal and social services to help women and girls leave or avoid arranged/forced marriages and rebuild their lives. UnCHAINED at Last also raises awareness about coercive marriages in the U.S. and pushes for relevant legislation to protect them.

“I don’t think I will ever forget the day in 2011 when Fraidy visited me in my home office. She was impressive. For someone who had been raised in a closed, tightly restricted environment Fraidy was remarkably savvy and profoundly passionate about helping others who have endured the same experiences that she herself survived,” explains Eisenberger. “Because our work focuses on visionaries who want to change some injustice in this world, Fraidy was a perfect candidate for funding and mentorship from the Good People Fund.”

The theme of the event is UnWINED with UnCHAINED and boasts an evening of good will, great spirits, a silent auction and live music, all to benefit women and girls fleeing forced marriages.  “These women and girls, many who have survived being raped, beaten and/or shunned by their families, are an inspiration,” said Jeanne Gordon, UnCHAINED’s board president.  Visit www.unchainedatlast.org/unwined to register or find our more information.

For further information, contact news@goodpeoplefund.org or 508-314-4304

This ‘good person’’- led non-profit joins nearly eighty other nonprofits in the U.S. and Israel that are financially supported and professionally guided by The Good People Fund (www.goodpeoplefund.org).  Founded in 2008, The Good People Fund, inspired by the Jewish concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world), responds to significant problems such as poverty, disability, trauma and social isolation, primarily in the United States and Israel. We provide financial support and management guidance for small to medium grassroots efforts. Our grant recipients are leading their nonprofits with annual budgets under $500,000 and no professional development staff but are driven and determined to make a difference in their communities. With its guiding philosophy that small actions can have huge impacts and its emphasis on the personal connection, the GPF has raised and granted more than $7 million dollars since its inception. Further information can be found at www.goodpeoplefund.org