I’ve actually talked with Lani Santo. meh. I’m not convinced that they have a neutral agenda. I think there is a strong current of strong dislike (I hesitate to use the word hate, because I don’t think its quite that) among their leadership, who are {I think} all ex-chareidi themselves.
I would say that their intended focus has been on the individuals, not on tearing down the entire chareidi world. That’s ironic, because I think their biggest “dislike” is for the leadership, peer pressure and control without which many of those who leave the chareidi world would have stayed.
So they claim to be focused on the needs of individuals who are legitimately in pain or doubt or cannot stay where they are, but their are emotionally and intellectually drawn to attack the key structures.
Its a bit disingenuous. And that counters the needs they try to meet, and which UJA funds.
Which leads to the indisputable facts that there are too many who have left, are leaving or don’t have the courage to leave who are not bad people but have had horrible experiences or are simply not able to maintain the chareidi lifestyle, and have the consequences that follow.
They have needs as people, as Jews even outside of Kiryas Yoel, Lakewood, Monsey, New Square, or Boro Park. Assuming Footsteps is the wrong organization with the wrong agenda, there remains a need, outside of the chareidi community (which they don’t trust), for an organization which if not actively trying to get them back in the fold, is at least ideologically neutral. That doesn’t exist right now. The need has to be filled.