The Nirim Foundation Newsletter No.12 March 2018

“Sometimes you find yourself lost in the middle of nowhere and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere, you realize who you really are” (Y, Nirim Graduate)

To all our partners abroad, During a survival trek, we cope with many complicated tasks such as navigation, building shelters, food preparation, climbing and overcoming challenges. While walking the trek, we experience some moments of distress and exhaustion and at the same time we have moments of magic. The hardest and most important thing is to identify both types of moments. At the end of the trek we reflect to the boys and girls what they underwent through these moments of crisis and magic. We analyze how we function as individuals and as a group. Nirim in the Neighborhoods operates in the most socio-economically deprived, crime-saturated neighborhoods across Israel, offering a variety of educational- therapeutic programs. As our activity continues to expand, we want to update you with our main fields of work, including Nirim business initiative, girls' only groups, Nirim classes, homes, wilderness activities and more. Your support enables our success and at the same time our ability to cope with the challenges and to experience these special moments of magic. Thank you for being our partners, together we will continue to change the lives of hundreds of youth at high risk every year. Shlomi Avni, Nirim in the Neighborhoods CEO.

1 Girls' only groups in the Neighborhoods Girls only groups operate in 6 cities across Israel: Dimona, Netivot, Kiryat Gat, Haifa, Kiryat Yam and Naharyyia catering around 65 girls. In addition, we assist 40 girls who are in mixed groups in those cities. Recently, we set a goal to extend this section in number and in profession to answer the girls' educational-therapeutic needs. Our focus has been on mapping, understanding the needs and building the work theory. Girls' only groups cater a specific audience, with unique risk factors and individual needs. We are in the process of fine tuning the model including wilderness therapy and ODT activities. As part of the model girls' groups are out in nature for a day, followed by a night in the wild. Recently, 20 girls went on a day and night field activity. These days, the groups are busy preparing to embark on a three-day trip during Passover holiday. In addition, we work closely with our staff to provide an emotional professional response and tools for optimal and successful work.

Program goals: Locate girls at risk. Engage the girls in a positive affiliation group. Provide skills in terms of gender, culture and society. Create a profound change in self-image and sense of ability. Reduce and prevent a-normative behaviors. Prevent dropout of school frameworks, or alternatively. find suitable education framework. Encouragement, assistance and guidance towards enlisting in the IDF, or alternatively, national service.

"In the wild I have found strength I never thought I had in me, I confronted my fears and climbed the highest mountain" (N, Nirim student in Netivot)

2 A trek for outstanding kids In February a group of young boys from senior teams went on a special survival trek in the south of Judea Desert. These kids are in Nirim for over 2 years and they chose to join the special adventure of their own will (challenged by choice). By joining this trek they are trained to be leaders in the program and will join future treks as mentors for the younger kids.

3 Entrepreneurship – it's time for Nirim - ODT for corporate teams As a part of the strategic and sustainable plan, the new entrepreneurship was launched as profit unit. The unit offers workshops, seminars and training for corporate teams aiming to break the day to day routine and build team motivation. All activities are out in the nature, using Nirim's knowhow, tools and skills. The unit was established with KEREN MAHALACH, a fund for effective social investment through the construction and implementation of business models. Key goals are to reduce dependence on classical philanthropy, diversify funding sources and strengthen organization's financial sustainability. Central Company for Sales and Distribution (Coca Cola Israel), a significant partner of Nirim, accompanied the establishment of the unit. We will be happy to expand our circles and spread the word to more companies, managers and organizations throughout Israel and offer a variety of enriching activities combining fun with team building and strategic thinking.

For more details contact Yigael Bibbins 050-5100210 [email protected]

Look for us at: http://www.nirim.org/en The Nirim Foundation

May we wish you a pleasant month – Sea, Sky and Desert, Nirim.

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