WIZO Emotional Resilience Programmes

WIZO believes in encouraging and empowering people of all ages to believe in their potential and to live happy, successful lives and has developed and runs emotional resilience programmes throughout its 800 projects.

Since October 7^th  these programmes have become even more vital for a traumatised nation.

Examples of these projects are:

The SELFREE Project
An initiative aiming to foster positive body image and self-perception in adolescents.

Amid the ongoing emergency situation in Israel since October 7^th, SELFREE reinforces personal, group and national resilience. The project encourages youth to spearhead positive changes, ultimately contributing to enhanced well-being for both individuals and society.

Breeze of Healing Trauma and Grief Recovery Programme
Emotional support while dealing with trauma and strengthening resilience. This programme includes both staff and student activities such as:

• workshop for dealing with situations of trauma, grief and bereavement; social emotional support with an emphasis on creating a safe space for dealing with situations of trauma, grief and bereavement in personal, social, school, community and national circles.
• educational programme for students including an initial intervention, emotional and cognitive processing; and creating the foundations for a safe group space for coping; together with a second stage of motivation for positive action through resilience programmes of physical activity, creation and art, social involvement, contribution to the community, leadership and ambassadorship.
• educational programme training education and teaching staff to deal with situations of trauma, grief and bereavement e.g. providing tools for first aid, identifying red lights and emotional and social support for the student, a group of students and the entire school community.
• individual treatment plan for staff and/or students. Alongside the importance of group workshop activity, there are situations in which there is a high necessity for intervention at an individual therapeutic level.

The Shield Programme
A comprehensive initiative integrating self-defence exercises, reflective discussions and awareness-building to instill crucial aspects of personal safety and resilience in adolescents. Facilitated by certified instructors with specialised training in combat and victim support, the programme emphasises strengths, positive thinking, boundaries, and values.

The programme empowers individuals to assert control over their bodies and personal space and to develop a sense of capability. In the context of the war since October 7th, where security concerns are heightened, empowering adolescents with self-defence techniques not only enhances their physical safety but also cultivates a sense of control amid uncertainty.

The Young Empowerment Programme  brings together active artists and leaders in various artistic fields with young boys and girls who are currently undergoing personal resilience development, identity formation, self-image and self-confidence processes. Group workshops focus on using artistic tools and facilitating dialogue to explore the participants’ experiences, thoughts and emotions.

Empowering youth during war time becomes crucial in fostering resilience and emotional well-being.  Combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills, participants have the choice of a range of areas such as written and spoken word, creative writing, visual art, theatre and performance, poetry, graffiti and street art, dance and movement, graphic design, and photography.

The Young Leadership Programme aims to promote gender equality, social involvement and community volunteering. The goal is to empower more women to lead in various life domains, fostering social awareness. During crises like the current war, active and engaged leaders in society become even more crucial. Through leadership skill development, teamwork, and expanded knowledge of inequality and feminism, coupled with addressing current social issues, the programme aims to guide girls toward envisioning themselves as capable contributors to social activism in both routine and emergency situations.