עלם - עמותה לנוער במצבי סיכון (ע"ר) | ELEM - Youth in Distress
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Mission Statement
ELEM was founded with the goal to assist youth at risk and in distress; to to improve their life conditions, and help them to find their place back in society as adults and as contributing citizens, for themselves, their families, and Israeli society. ELEM was founded by a group of professionals and volunteers in Israel and the United States, and was registered as an association in 1983. Since then it has developed into a nationwide organization, specializing in identifying the hardships that characterize the daily lives of youth in Israel, and in developing and implementing relevant and innovative solutions in order to deal with those hardships, while keeping in mind the unique needs of different population groups. ELEM currently operates approximately 80 programs in 40 towns, cities, and communities throughout Israel.
About This Cause
ELEM was founded by a group of professionals and volunteers in Israel and the United States, and was registered as an association in 1983. Since then it has developed into a nationwide organization, specializing in identifying the hardships that characterize the daily lives of youth in distress in Israel, and in developing and implementing relevant and innovative solutions in order to deal with those hardships, while keeping in mind the unique needs of different population groups. ELEM operates 80 programs in approximately 40 towns throughout Israel providing a wide range of solutions to Israeli youth across the spectrum of risk. ELEM's programs provide responses to issues of Israeli teens including normative crises of adolescence, school dropout, immigrant absorption issues, family problems, drug and alcohol use and abuse, violence, sexual exploitation, homeless youth and the prostitution of minors. ELEM serves as an address to youth in various conditions of risk, creating a non-judgmental relationship with them and assisting them in paving their way towards reintegration into the community. Over the course of the year 2013, ELEM met with tens of thousands of adolescents, and provided continuous treatment to approximately 20 thousand youth. According to The Central Bureau of Statistics, 800,000 of Israel's population are aged 12-18, about a quarter of who are living in various conditions of distress. Our Program Areas 1. Counseling, Support and Information Centers for Youth a. Hafuch Al Hafuch Center- centers designed like cafes enabling social interaction and comfortable conversation between youth and professionals and volunteers. There are currently 15 centers serving over 4,000 youth. b. Yelem- A support and Counseling Portal for Teens- Support interfaces include virtual counseling rooms, forums simulating group work and e-mail support. In 2013, approximately 9,000 unique users visited the site each month. 2. Multicultural Field- Migdalor Centers, Holistic Centers, and the Angel Program: Israeli society is characterized by cultural diversity and by a massive absorption of new immigrants. Immigrant youth of varying cultural background face a range of difficulties, beyond the normative hardships faced by native Israeli youth. The multicultural field- serving over 4,000 youth and 400 families from multicultural backgrounds, works to have an impact not only on the youth but on the community as a whole thus promoting holistic change and community empowerment. 3. Streetwork: Every night, thousands of teens and young adults roam public parks, town squares, hangouts, and hideouts. Many of whom have dropped out of educational or therapeutic frameworks. ELEM's outreach vans provide immediate response to youth at risk, at night, on their territory- the street. The staff of the outreach vans help them acquire the services and the care that they need, and to get back on track in normative and supportive settings. In 2013, 6,2888 youth benefitted from the 15 vans operating throughout Israel. 4. Treating Sexual Violence- program served 258 children and youth in 2013, both sexual abusers and victims and approximately 86 sets of parents. 5. Rehabilitation through Personal Mentoring & Employment a. "Derech Hamelech"- A vocational Training and Mentoring Program for Alienated and Detached Youth. In Israel, there are thousands of youth under the care of the Juvenile Probation Services and Youth Advancement Units. The program services as a complementary program to the professional treatment services offered by state institutions. The programs provides assistance to youth by assigning them an adult mentor and integrating them into vocational training and/or employment in a business within the community. b. Business Initiatives for Youth- ELEM has established independent businesses and is a partner in others, giving youth the opportunity to work and even to participate in management (Café Yael- Sderot, Liliyot Restaurant and Liliyot Bakery in Tel Aviv, Coffee & Company, Mataim Restaurant, Ramat Hanadiv) c. "From Dependence to Independence"- a Personal and Group Mentoring Program for Leading Independent Lives within the Community 6. Girls Field a. "A Real Home"- Therapeutic community center for young women who were or are victims of sexual violence. b. "Two Together"- Works to find young women and girls on the spectrum of sexual exploitation. c. "Alma"- Provides services to girls age 13-26 across the spectrum of prostitutions. The program occurs in three spheres: an apartment that serves as a physical space where they can rest, eat a hot meal, and find a sympathetic ear, street work whose aim is to actively recruit new girls, and regular mentoring meetings between volunteers and the girls. 7. Prorams for Youth at Extreme Risk a. "Awake at Night"- a Program for Teens and Young Adults Involved in Prostitution. b. "Someone to Run With" in Tel Aviv and "Galgal Friendship House" in Jerusalem respond to the need of homeless young adults between the ages of 18-26 in various states of risk and distress. These programs run drop-in centers operating six days a week and perform outreach work on the streets.