Project Renewal: Nurturing Resilience and Hope for ages 6-18 in Conflict Zones
As displaced citizens are being forced from their homes and re-located to makeshift shelters, Brothers and Sisters for Israel has made education a main priority. We recognise the profound need for a stable and continuous community-educational-social-emotional framework for children and youth facing the consequences of war. So we began establishing supplemental education centres known as "Warmth Centres." ('Meichamin')
These centres are designed to facilitate a blend of formal learning (academic support and reinforcement) and informal activities (preparation for military service, sports, culture, enrichment, and more) in the hotels and shelters of evacuees. To date, approximately 45 education centres have been established across the southern and northern regions of Israel, particularly in communities along the conflict line (displaced from regional councils, the Golan Heights, Upper Galilee, Marom Hagalil, Ma'ale Yosef, Sdot Negev, and Kiryat Shmona).
These centers, managed by youth coordinators with specialized educational training, provide a learning space equipped with computers for remote learning and a youth club where adolescents can gain a sense of belonging. BSI's initiative has allocated millions of shekels to this education project, funding youth coordinator positions, establishing and equipping youth centers (study spaces and youth clubs), and supporting unique educational and enrichment activities.
In the spirit of "Leaving No Youth Behind," our mission is to create a stable framework that provides a comprehensive community-educational-social-emotional response for youth in conflict-bordering communities. We aim to provide every adolescent with a protected, supportive, and enriching space, tailored to their social and educational needs, and serving as a second home.
Our Mission
Reduce the learning disruption caused by war and subsequent evacuation from their homes.
Improve mental well-being by providing students with opportunities to socialize and learn.
Develop increased resilience to cope with the challenges of displacement and to rebuild their lives after the war.
Goals
The establishment of approximately 45 education centers ("Warmth Centers"/ "Meichamim") across southern and northern Israel has provided a communal, social, educational, and emotional response to thousands of youth in conflict-bordering communities. These centers operate daily, offering stability, particularly during periods when the formal education system is partially active. This has had a positive social and educational influence on the participating youth, reinforcing their personal resilience by making it clear to them that their potential is seen and realized.
Impact to Date
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Expand the activities of the existing centers.
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Establish approximately 30 additional centers.
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Broaden the circle of youth participating in the activities of the existing centers.
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Provide solutions for approximately 20,000 displaced youth from conflict-bordering communities.
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Strengthen collaborations with educational bodies and additional enrichment programs to diversify the activities offered in the centers, ensuring an appealing and comprehensive response for all youth.
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Become a central community-social framework for adolescents alongside the formal framework.
Future Goals
The cost of equipping one Civilian Emergency Squad, which includes an average of 16 volunteers, is approximately $24,000. Our aim to equip all 500 squads for a total cost of approximately $12M USD.
