In the wake of the recent conflict sparked by the actions of Hamas on October 7th, ELEM is facing an unprecedented crisis. The well-being of an entire generation of Israelis is at risk, emphasizing the vital importance of ELEM's services throughout Israel.
Our youth have been severely traumatized, and the collateral damage will continue to permeate Israel for the unforeseeable future. The work we are doing today is crucial for Israel’s future. You can rebuild a ruined home fairly quickly, but to piece together the broken soul of a child takes much time, love, healing, and determination.
YOU CAN HELP
By supporting ELEM/Youth in Distress Israel, you are not only contributing to immediate relief efforts but also investing in the long-term well-being and resilience of a generation facing unprecedented challenges.
Programs
Programs
ELEM is a powerful and effective voice for neglected and abused youth in Israel, affecting both policy change and providing on the ground services to children, teens, and young adults. ELEM operates over 80 programs in more than 40 cities across Israel, offering culturally sensitive therapy, mentoring, school placement, vocational training, and providing safe havens. ELEM's unique approach: we reach out to youth at night on their turf, on the streets, at parks, clubs, bars, and on the internet.
A Real Home
$216,000 Annual Operating Cost
This Tel Aviv center serves as a therapeutic community for young women who were or are victims of sexual violence. The program encourages them to function in normative frameworks and works to reduce their feelings of shame, guilt and anger. In addition to group work, these young women receive individual counseling with the staff and volunteers of the center.
Young Mothers
$336,000 Annual Operating Cost
The Young Mothers Program provides at-risk young mothers with personal mentors to help develop skills for independent living such as preparation for the job market, securing housing and maximizing their government benefits. The program also advocates for broad policy changes. The program currently operates in two regional centers in Central and Southern Israel. Beyond the two centers, ELEM’s programs in Petach Tikva, Dimona, and Eilat are the only community-based services that cater to at-risk young Israeli mothers.
ELEM Digital
$900,00 Annual Operating Cost
ELEM Digital supports youth in crisis online, both through responsive platforms and by proactively identifying youth in distress online based on their online presence and behaviors. ELEM Digital utilizes all relevant online platforms, including major social media sites and communication apps, in both Hebrew and Arabic. In 2022, ELEM served 3,700 youth and young adults online. In 2023, that number rose to 4,800 youth served through ELEM digital. Since October 7th, ELEM Digital has gone from supporting 150 chats to 350 per month.
Breathing Spaces
In the immediate aftermath of October 7th, ELEM introduced the new “Breathing Spaces” program to serve evacuated youths from the South and the North of Israel, including those who survived the massacre at the Nova Music Festival, and youths from the infiltrated communities. Breathing Spaces are the hubs for ELEM’s innovative trauma support for survivors of October 7th and other youth impacted by war.
As of May 1st, the government is no longer supporting our Breathing Spaces for evacuees from the North of Israel, and ELEM
now bears the full cost:
At Hotels
$108,000
Annual Operating Cost
At Schools
$60,000
Annual Operating Cost
When Libby was asked if there is anything she can do today that she couldn’t do five months ago, her answer was simple: “I am finally able to smile.”
Naming Opportunities
ELEM House
ELEM Israel's headquarters are currently located in B’nei Barak. With our current growth, ELEM is looking to purchase a suitable property, potentially in the greater Tel Aviv area, that will be utilized for additional youth programming and staff headquarters. Your $2.4 million pledge over two years would enable us to expand our social services into a new [Your Name] ELEM House, completely owned by ELEM.
$2.4 million over tWO years
Galgal Friendship House
Located in Jerusalem, the Galgal homeless shelter provides critical aid and support to around 100 young women at any given time. Galgal serves women who are completely disconnected from any therapeutic, social, and familial frameworks, and experience existential distress as a result of lack of housing, hunger, and lack of any emotional support.
Many have been sexually abused in their childhood and, as a result, are forced to live in a vicious cycle that includes prostitution and addiction to drugs and alcohol. In addition to emergency and humanitarian services provided by the shelter, every young woman at Galgal receives personal and group therapy, protective space to begin their rehabilitative process.
Your gift will name the [Your Name] Galgal Friendship House and support Galgal’s current lease in its newly opened center.
$5 million over five years
staff at the new galgal center opened in 2023
Outreach Vans
ELEM's Outreach vans serve as a lifeline for youth facing dangers such as alcohol use, violence, and involvement in prostitution, providing immediate responses to youth at-risk on the streets. The vans are adapted for informal meetings with youth where inside, there is a place to sit, hot drinks and refreshments, informational materials and contraceptives. These vans provide support and help at-risk youth receive the services they need to get “Off the Streets and On to Life,” which is ELEM's motto.
Your $60,000 annual pledge for three years will support the purchase, equipping, and staffing of an Outreach Vans in areas either where ELEM determines the need is greatest, or that have personal meaning for you. Your pledge will help ELEM continue its vital outreach efforts in the midst of escalating challenges.
$180,000 over three years
LEARN MORE
Visit the ELEM website to go more in depth with our programs, or to explore more of our wartime work.
