Protection of Girls at Risk
For girls from violent, neglectful and dysfunctional homes, emotional damage, poor self-esteem, and low function levels are common causes leading to dropping out of school and engaging in criminal activity. Without successful intervention such as WIZO’s unique ‘Warm Homes’ programme their chances of a normal future are low.
Without WIZO and a framework that rebuilds what has been broken down by negative circumstances, this deterioration will continue. If unable to combat these difficulties, self-esteem, school performance and emotional health will decline.
WIZO’s 18 ‘Warm Homes’ programmes for girls, run in collaboration with the Ministry of Welfare or the local Municipality, provide support for 13-18-year-old girls considered at risk. Workshops, therapies, recreational activities, hot meals, love, and basic skills coaching all work to rebuild self-esteem and nurture abilities. Destructive behaviour is prevented by providing a safe place, role-modelling and a positive environment. The girls spend from noon until evening hours learning to trust, communicate and rebuild a sense of belonging that is integral to rehabilitation.
WIZO’s Beit Adi Centre in Be’er Sheva is a rehabilitation and preventative facility for teenage girls highly at risk. Girls attend remedial and therapeutic programming and benefit from hands-on vocational training enabling them to prosper and lead mainstream and productive lives.