Yedidim (organization)

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Yedidim for Youth and Society

"Yedidim for Youth and Society" (Hebrew: ידידים למען הנוער והחברה) (registered association) is an Israeli, non-profit, volunteer organization founded in 1991, which focuses on children, youth and young adults from different social-economic backgrounds across the country. The organization's main activity is teaching life skills and employability training, prevention and intervention of risk behaviors such as school dropout, delinquency and other self-destructive behaviors.

The organization works with over 3,500 children and young adults in different educational programs throughout the year, and over 2,000 students volunteer as mentors in more than 160 groups all across Israel.

Yedidim's Vision

Yedidim stives to empower children, youth, and young adults from diverse cultures and socio-economic backgrounds by helping them to fully integrate into Israeli society. Yedidim systematically fosters in marginalized youth a sense of self-worth, belonging, and self-confidence, thereby providing the at-risk population of Israel the tools it needs to flourish.

Tha main principles motivationg the organiation are:

• Building a society in which every child has the opportunity to realize their potential.
• Developing culturally sensitive social leadership which promotes responsible partnerships that work together to assist vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrating respect for every person and their culture; acting reliably and with integrity.
• Building an organization-wide model that promotes professional volunteering..  

History

In 1991, a group of young students from Jerusalem, who just finished their military service, founded "Yedidim for Integrating Youth by Youth", an organization listed as an association, with the intention of helping the absorption of the many immigrants from former USSR in Israel in the 90's. The organization launched a program under the name "Friendly Absorption - Yedidim's mentoring Model", in which local Israeli youth is paired with immigrant children and youth, mentor and escort them in their first steps in Israel, That alongside with group activities for similar age and background children in a "Peer Group" structure.

Within few years, Yedidim's work expanded to over 30 cities in Israel, and in 1996 the organization started engaging in additional populations, such as low class income and at-risk youth, and leadership and volunteering programs. 1996 was also the year in which the organization's name was changed to it's current name - "Yedidim for Youth and Society".

In the early 2000's, the organization continued to expand it's activities geographically, socially and education wise, by creating and operating new yearly mentoring programs that are age and social status specialized. Yedidim started working alongside other social organizations and governmental ministries such as The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, Ministry of Labor, Socal Affairs and Social Services, Ministry of Education, The Israeli Police, The National Insurance Institute of Israel and phillantropic funds from both Israel and other countries. These collaborations helped expanding the organization's activities. In addition, Yedidim started managing the volunteer work of thousands of scholarship supported students in Israel. In 2006, Yedidim founded "Yedidey Yedidim" (Hebrew: ידידי ידידים), the organizaton's branch in the United Stated, led by the Jewish actor Mike Burstyn, which afterwards expanded to Canada and Europe (England and The Netherlands). Throughtout the years of it's existence, an estimated amount of 100,000 graduates took part in the organization's programs.

Programs

Nowadays Yedidim is providing solutions for social needs as they are presented by education and welfare authorities and by the third sector in Israel. The main fields of activity are integrating immigrants, preventing school dropout, at risk youth, deliquency, preparation for military service, employment and the empowering women. The organization's programs are for the ages of 6-36, with the goal of mentoring the participants and providing them tools for integration in the community by strengthening their positive outlook for the future.

The basic principles leading the mentors at Yedidim is the "Triangle" educational model developed by the organization which includes: personal mentoring, peer group activities and volunteering. Other principles leading the organization are building a personal progress graph for each participant, persistence and parental involvement.

Programs:

• Beit Yedidim: drop in centers for children and youth from socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
• Striving for Excellence: social and academic excellence and dropout prevention program.
• Sela: empowerment program for girls at risk and in distress.
• Serving our People: preparation program for a meaningful army service for individuals from disadvantaged populations.
• A Second Chance: rehabilitation program for young offenders.
• Strengthening Our Nation: dropout prevention from the IDF.
• Strengthening Civic Life: support and guidance for young adults during the transition from army or national service to civilian life.
• Striving for a Better Future: employment training program.  

Yedidim's areas of interest by age range (6-36) :

The Yedidim Institute of Leadership, Managment and Volunteering:

Yedidim works alongside The Yedidim Institute of Leadership, Managment and Volunteerism which aims to prepare young Israelis to run educational and welfare programs at a highly professional level. Since it's establishment in 1998, the institute had trained more that 2,800 students and volunteers to be coordinators and mentors of programs for youth at risk. In addition, the institute manages academic researches for evaluating and improving Yedidim's programs.

Awards

• "Excellence in Management" award on behalf of the thir sector - CEO
• Excellence in Volunteering for Immigrant Absorption on behalf of the Israeli Absorption Minister
• The Israeli President award for involving young volunteers in integrating immigrants
• The Jerusalem Mayor's award for Outstanding Promotion of welfare and quality of life in Jerusalem.
• The Knesset Chairman award for Contribution to Increasing Aliyah (immigrating to Israel).

References

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