"You Have An Address..." – Support Programs for Youth Villages` Care Leavers
2Area Head, Youth and Young Adults Programs, Ministry of Education
3Guidance Development Coordinator, Ministry of Education
4Regional Program Supervisor, Ministry of Education
5Advisor, Education and Scholarship, Ministry of Education
Every year, thousands of at-risk youth are provided with the option to live and learn within the framework of 210 boarding school settings across the state of Israel. Placed there as a means to level the playing field for disadvantaged backgrounds, this home-like setting is designed to provide a supportive and caring community that allows teens to flourish throughout their middle and high school years. On return to their homes after graduating, many of the youth find the integration back into their home communities difficult as they may no longer identify with it. According to Israel`s Education Administration for Residential Settlement and Youth Aliyah, 30% of 5,000 annual graduates lack familial support or a source of guidance. These young adults consequently face a wide array of challenges and many times are left to transition into adulthood alone and without support.
A Sense of Belonging
The Ministry of Education and JDC`s, Association for the Advancement of Education Here for you tackles such challenges by sustaining youth villages` community effect, even after graduation. Trained coordinators, for the post high school program, join youth village staff to provide mentoring, practical guidance, and moral support over a period of ten years as alumni transition to adulthood. The program aims to act as the bridge that helps them integrate successfully by addressing their dynamic and changing needs regarding housing, employment, army commitments and further education.
The coordinators in the youth villages work alongside youth nearing completion of their high school education, as well as with those in their post-graduate years (approximately ages 16-26). They help them transition from a boarding school setting to civilian life, providing information and access to resources, as well as discuss additional personal situations. This is accomplished through both one-on-one and group settings. Many times this includes a personalized plan suitable for the youth or young adult either through the use of regular resources or coming up with new solutions.
Desired results:
- Acquire a higher education or vocational certification.
- Develop a sense of independence and responsibility.
- Become an integral and instrumental part of society The program currently operates within 111 boarding schools, 49 of which are youth villages. About 8,000 youth are currently participating in this program.
The program is being researched by the Tel-Aviv University.
