Friends of Yemin Orde has received a two-year, $172,000 challenge grant to help Israel’s at-risk youth.

The challenge grant is from a generous foundation that kids in classroom teacherwishes to remain anonymous. It will match dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $21,500 per donor, per year, all new and increased gifts to Friends of Yemin Orde.

Funds raised by this new challenge grant will support the high quality programs and services for Israel’s at-risk youth at Yemin Orde Youth Village. The grant will also help expand the successful Village Way educational methodology to hundreds of additional at-risk young people through the Village Way Educational Initiatives.

Challenge grants such as this typically encourage support from donors as the value added to each gift doubles, thereby increasing its significance and impact. The deadline for the challenge is May 16, 2018.

“We are very grateful for the trust this generous donor has in our organization,” said Charlie Gwirtsman, Chair, Friends of Yemin Orde. “If anyone has thought about becoming part of our annual campaign but hasn’t yet, this is a tremendous opportunity to double the impact of their gift.”

A forever home for Israel’s at-risk youth

Yemin Orde Youth Village is home to 440 at-risk and immigrant youth from around the world. Today, the population of the Village consists predominately of youth from Ethiopia, the Former Soviet Union, France and Brazil. Most of the youth at the Village have endured trauma such as abandonment, poverty and loss.  Our youth arrive at the Village with little hope for a productive future.

EcoFarm planting basilThrough the Village’s unique and highly effective methodology, called the Village Way,  youth live in a safe and loving home, have a strong educational environment and are surrounded by positive role models.

Graduates serve with distinction in Israel’s military and hold positions in Israel’s health care, technology and life sciences industries, as well as the arts, politics and education.

As a result of the success at the Village, Yemin Orde’s Village Way Educational Initiatives was created to expand the Village Way educational framework to hundreds more at-risk Israeli children in other youth villages, therapeutic residential communities and public high schools, including schools in Israeli-Arab communities.

Challenge Grant to Help Empower Educators

The Educational Initiatives empowers Israel’s educators with a plan to better connect to and teach their at-risk students. Facilitators work with a community for three years to provide teacher training and workshops.

In addition, financial support is provided to each educational community to implement meaningful programs. There are currently 26 educational settings in Israel that partner with the Educational Initiatives. Since 2006, the Village Way has reached more than 9,650 children and 1,320 educators.

“We are receiving this grant because our donor is very pleased with our growing impact throughout Israel and the continued success at improving and transforming the lives of at-risk youth at our flagship Village,” said Karen Sallerson, Executive Director, Friends of Yemin Orde. “This challenge provides a meaningful opportunity to our donors as well as provides a springboard for the future success of our youth – Israel’s next generation of leaders.”


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