About Us

My name is Julie Pomerantz. I'm a Special Education teacher at Beard Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. At our school, I've worn many hats. I worked in a diverse learning self - contained classroom for 18 years. Then I worked as our Librarian and began a Literacy through the Drama program. Then for four years. I worked as our Adapted Gym

Teacher. Currently, I'm the Pre-School Physical Education

Teacher. Working at Beard School and pure luck brought me to Israel. Israel is a blessing to everyone he meets. Israel brings joy, hope. and

love to every room he enters. I have had the pleasure of working with Israel during the school year. His progress and determination is such

to be a part of daily. For mv part.

organization, I will be co-writing grants with our other special education teacher. In our jobs as a teacher. we have spent countless hours writing grants for funding mission focused activities to make an investment in change.

My name is Reginald Jones. Jennifer Davis is a good friend of mine, so I could not resist joining the board for Izzy. In short, provide a wealth of knowledge in the fields of Business, Medical Healthcare, and Politics. I bring a host of connections to the Board. I have worked side by side with Dr. Willie Willison (African American Politician). Ben Carlson M.D (Politician and Physician), and Dr. Arvid Johnson President of U of Saint Francis) I have a background in medicine. finance, management, and logistics. I know Izzy primarily through his mother and have been a part of Jen's journey for some years now. Solidarity, RSJ

My name is TaLisha Alston, my profession I am a licensed nail technician as well as a licensed cosmetologist. I am an artsy and very creative individual who works with lots of different mediums to create different projects. I have known Jennifer for the past 20-21 years. We started off working together for different companies but at the same location. We quickly became friends. After some number years we actually lost contact with one another. After running into someone she knew we were re-connected. I found out Jennifer had a baby a couple years prior. I was extremely happy and excited for her because she had always expressed how she wanted children in our prior conversations. The very first day my children and I met Israel, he jumped in my arms and gave me a huge hug and immediately called us "his family" which was very heartfelt. This little boy was soooo filled with love and generosity. Israel always wanted to share his belongings. Whenever he had he was sharing, be it snacks, juices, food whatever it was, he was sharing it. His favorite quote was "Sharing is Caring'. The thing I will never forget about Israel, is how huge his heart is. When I called Jennifer to wish her Happy Birthday, she informed me that Israel was sick and, in a coma, I was absolutely stunned and taken aback. This shocking news stung my heart so hard. I tried to stay calm as I spoke to her but was silently crying on the other side. Jennifer is and has been more than a friend to me, I always say God truly gave me a sister when He placed her in my life. When Jennifer told me she wanted to start a foundation in honor of Israel, I thought it was a wonderful idea. I felt the name of this foundation -Israel's Heart~ was PERFECT as Israel, this tiny little boy has the biggest heart I've ever honestly seen in a child. I am more than willing to do anything I am able to contribute here. I don't know much about starting a foundation, however, I am more than willing to learn what's needed and whom to reach out to for information, donations, funding, and anything else that would be helpful to this foundation moving forward.

Hello, My name is Matthew Barnett. I have known Ms. Jennifer Davis and little Israel for at least 5 years. And from the 1st time I met Israel he has always been a child with so much energy and wonder with the warmest smile that could move the coldest of hearts. One thing you knew about Israel was he loved his mother just as much as she loved him. There would be many times while on the phone with Ms. Davis you would hear him in the background watching tv or while she was cooking with her and just out of nowhere tell her that he loved her. Even though when me and Israel would meet it was for brief moments, I knew he was very strong and had and old soul that had been in this would before. So, when Ms. Davis told me about what happened to him, I cried with her, but I continued to have faith and told her that I saw the strength in him. Then years later after some doctors gave up on him, he is still with us and continuing to prove others wrong. When Ms. Davis came to me and told me that she was going to start a foundation for her son called Izzy's Heart and asking me if I could help with building the website and be on her board, saying that I was honored would be an understatement. Without hesitation I told her YES! For Izzy's Heart I bring my skills in Information Technology which goes with my Bachelors' Degree in IT from Elmhurst University and my Google IT support Certifications. Which bring to the table my skills of Web Design, Data Management and Recovery, Software Management, Troubleshooting, and Systems Administration just to name a few. And to the rest of the board, I bring someone who is ready to work hard and help where I am needed. Someone who is trustworthy of the position and willing to put in more than 100% of what is asked of me. Finally, someone who can make Ms.

Davis and Israel's vision come true.

My name is Christine Russell. I have known Israel all his life he is my nephew. I was honored to be asked to sit on this board. My background is in Healthcare Administration I have over 16 years' experience serving the senior community.

My Skills set will focus on Human Resources i.e., hiring of all staff members. Background checks etc.

High end Customer Service Training.

Alzheimer's and Dementia Certified

Certified Dementia Practioner Certified Activity Director.

 My name is Jake and I am an elementary school special education teacher. I graduated from Concordia University of Chicago in 2021 with a degree in special education and will be graduating from Concordia with a masters in Curriculum and Instruction: Trauma and Resilience in December of 2023.  

Hi! My name is Jennifer Hardison and I have been a special education teacher for the past 20 years in Chicago public schools. I work with students that have multiple disabilities. My goal in the classroom is to help students become more independent while learning academic skills. Of course, we have fun while we are doing this! I have taught Homebound for students who are unable to attend the traditional school day. This is where I met Izzy and Jennifer. Through Izzy's heart, my goal is to help make a difference in the lives of individuals with special needs as well as their families.

Byron Leach Jr. I am a criminal justice/homeland security major.  I am efficient in community engagement as well as business operations. I have a vast knowledge of information regarding business due to me running a family business for 14 years now and still going. I have type 1 diabetes which is juvenile onset diabetes, so this foundation and Izzy is close to my heart. Not all families get the support they need or deserve. And if I can be a staple to change that, as well as be a part of something bigger than myself. I am all for that!

Hello all, My name is Kelly Murphy. I am in my third year of

teaching. all of which have been at Beard Elementary. For the first year and a halt, I was a special education classroom teacher.

At the beginning of 2021, I took a new role within the school as an adapted physical education teacher. In September, I got an email that a student that was newly enrolled al Beard needed a homebound teacher due to his medical needs. I accepted and I am so happy that did because it led me to Israel. Israel is truly inspiring as he has had a lot of challenging times in his lite due to his medical conditions, however, that does not stop him from being a beacon of light each school day. In the non for profit, Izzy's Heart. I will be co-writing grants. Julie and I have been successful in writing grants for various parts of our program at Beard. All the grants have provided programs with funding that made a difference in our students lives and in community as a whole. In addition, I look forward to collaborating with the team and making sure this organization reaches students and families similar to Israel's.

Hello, my name is Dr. Divakar Mithal.

Attending Physician, Neurology; Founders' Board Chair in Neurocritical Care 

Instructor of Pediatrics (Neurology and Epilepsy), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Catrice davis, a mom of two whom takes pride in my children while being a hard-working woman open to learn and explore life. I enjoy practicing safety. That’s one of the reasons I’ve chosen security as a life career I’ve worked many jobs, park district with children, the food industry, Ive been an outreach coach, real estate, leasing agent administrator ,a property manager and inspector as well however, security just capture my heart keeping people their family an their assets safe brings harmony to my heart. From mall security to Events security, TSA homeland security to the Rail lines, transportation traveling to different states, provide security services for disasters etc. I enjoy net working and coming up with different ways to make every event peaceful and safe. I’m certified in security has been thriving for over 16years