Mission and Philosophy
Yemin Orde is dedicated to giving children the highest quality care and education. Yemin Orde’s success reflects the deeply sensitive approach of the Village to the needs of adolescent survivors of trauma and displacement, many of whom have been separated from their family and are far away from their native land and culture.
With a population from around 20 different countries, Yemin Orde recognizes that affirming cultural background is critical. At Yemin Orde, everyone in the Village works toward integrating newcomers into Israeli life while respecting and celebrating each child’s native culture.
Yemin Orde Youth Village has a culture of encouraging children to pursue their talents and goals and to take on positions of leadership. Children are able to study in their native language until they are fluent enough in Hebrew to attend classes with their peers, and extra educational opportunities are available through the Village’s Learning Center Program. The concept of Tikkun Olam is also interwoven into the daily life of Yemin Orde with children volunteering both in and outside of the Village.
Since its creation, Yemin Orde has occupied a unique position among youth villages. Dedicated to providing the highest quality care, Yemin Orde offers three aspects of programming that are unparalleled elsewhere in Israel:
- Yemin Orde remains open and fully available to all students, 365 days a year. Since many of its children have no other home or family in Israel, Yemin Orde never closes.
- Yemin Orde provides a high ratio of staff to students. Counselors or "madrichim" are the mentors, parent figures, and "point people" for the students. Madrichim are on call 24 hours a day. Yemin Orde provides one madrich for every 24 students (the state and welfare allocation provides for one madrich for every 40 youngsters).
- Yemin Orde continues to assist alumni after they have left the Village. Yemin Orde maintains an open door for graduates serving in the military, supports them throughout their army service and provides scholarships for those attending university or paraprofessional studies. It is the message that Yemin Orde is family and "will always be there for you" that is most important to every child living in the village.