Hiyot
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Mission Statement
Hiyot ("Life" in Amharic) was founded in 2001 by a small group of university educated Ethiopian Israeli women, and is the only non-profit organization of the Ethiopian community serving the greater Haifa area. Hiyot focuses on educational and empowerment programs for children, youth and parents. Our vision is to see the Ethiopian community successfully integrated in all aspects of life in modern Israeli society. Hiyot operates after-school programs and youth outreach centers serving nearly 300 Ethiopian Israeli children and youth at risk ages 6-18 in three of Haifa's northern industrial suburbs: Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Bialik and Kiryat Motzkin. We also work with parents to empower them, provide parenting skills and strengthen their effectiveness at home and in their children's school. Our programs provide safe and positive after-school activities with Ethiopian Israeli academics who serve as role models, keeping children and youth away from the risks of the streets in low-income neighborhoods.
About This Cause
Hiyot ("Life" in Amharic), which was founded in 2001 by a small group of university educated Ethiopian Israeli women, is the only non-profit organization of the Ethiopian community in the Haifa area, and focuses on educational and empowerment programs for children, youth and parents. Our vision is to see the Ethiopian community successfully integrated in all aspects of life in modern Israeli society. After 10 years in the field with leadership solely from within the Ethiopian community, Hiyot launched a new board in January 2012, which integrates both Ethiopian and non-Ethiopian Israelis who wish to work together to implement the organization's goals. Hiyot operates a network of youth outreach centers serving some 300 Ethiopian Israeli children and youth at risk ages 7-18 in three of Haifa's northern industrial suburbs: Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Bialik and Kiryat Motzkin. We also work with our youth's parents, to empower them, provide parenting skills and strengthen their effectiveness at home and in their children's schools. Projects • Youth Outreach Centers. Cultural and knowledge gaps often prevent Ethiopian teens' adaptation to the Israeli education system and result in high ratios of school dropout and crime. The gap between youth and their parents due to language barriers, and the little acquaintance of parents with the Israeli school system, increase the risk of Ethiopian teens. In some places, free after-school time exposes them to crime, alcohol and drugs prevalent in their low-income neighborhoods. Our youth outreach centers provide a safe and positive environment for their free time that keeps them away from the streets. The centers offer a variety of activities, including TV, computers and Internet; football class and other courses and workshops; Jewish holidays; trips; summer activities; and activities with parents. • After-school program for elementary school children (new immigrants). A program for elementary school children in the Tzur Shalom neighborhood in Kiryat Bialik. Kiryat Bialik has been absorbing hundreds of new immigrant families in addition to 180 families who had already been residing in the city. Most of the new immigrants have joined the Tzur Shalom neighborhood, where Hiyot has operated a youth center since 2007, with very productive cooperation with the municipality and community center. In light of the high number of children we had seen roaming the streets without any after-school framework, and knowing the dangers of the streets of this neighborhood, we have initiated an after-school program for children ages 6-12. The total estimated number of children needing a framework at this age is 200; our club serves about 30. Hiyot has 6 years of experience in operating a similar program in Haifa. • Excellence program. New program to help talented children and youth reach their full potential with the help of professionals and mentors. • Parents Empowerment. The immigration crisis severely harms parental authority and functioning. Strengthening and empowering the parents facilitates successful integration of the children in Israeli society, and sometimes contributes to the parents' integration as well.