BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE SOUTH IN ASHKELON AND SDEROT – THE DAY AFTER

Emergency FUND – Time to ACT NOW and direct funds to the ground where most needed.

What started on October 7th, at 6:30am Israel time, will forever be remembered as one of the most horrific assaults on Israel in its history. Hamas breached the Gaza border by sea, land, and air, infiltrating over 20 Israeli communities on the border of the Gaza Strip, claiming the lives of over 1,300 Israelis, wounding thousands, and kidnapping over 200. The city of Ashkelon lost 27 of its town citizens with 1 citizen still among the hostages of its 170,000 residents. The cities have launched programs focused on strengthening emotional and mental resilience, as well as, respite activities that will help the children process what they experienced and reduce gaps created by the reality that the children were isolated in their homes and community for so long.

The Need

In early Januarary 2024, Ashkelon was cleared to open of the educational system, after 3 months with no school structure for their children. However, the formal educational structure is focused on only closing the academic annual gap. There is an urgent need to help these children build their resilience.

Many of our children are currently suffering from high levels of anxiety and stress. Furthermore, a recent survey in early Jan 2024, by the Ministry of Health, showed that Ashkelon children in first grade, are the most obese in the country, which is currently being defined due to the ongoing negative impacts of war, enhancing the goal to reduce “anxiety eating disorders”.

Therefore, program have been created to focus on strengthening emotional and mental resilience, as well as, respite activities that will help the children process what they experienced and reduce gaps created by the reality that the children were isolated in their homes without friends for so long.

Our Solution

Resilience and trauma reducing programs for pre-K to 12 graders in Ashkelon-Sderot-Ofakim

Pre-K to 12th year graders take part in enrichment classes aimed to strengthen their resilience. This includes participating in plays and shows to promote morale and professional workshops to strengthen interpersonal skills and create social resilience. Between the workshops there will be simulation games that will allow the children to talk about their emotional state. To provide them with tools to deal with emergency situations, anxiety and stress, allow them to process and share their feelings in order to reduce anxiety situations and ongoing risks.

The activities will take place at the school and some outdoor locations. The sessions are focused on gaining team building and leadership tools to strengthen their self-worth and resilience. Classes inclide psychodrama, music, camera simulations, and other forms of therapeutic activities.

A professional organization will perform a semi and annual evaluation report of impact.

For a detailed summary of the program, can read the following two attachments:

Resilience Programs for Grade 7

Resilience Programs for Kids and Youth

There are matching funds commitment from the Government around $65K + $35K pledge from Ronson Foundation U.K

All donations are tax deductible. Link to donation via credit card (USA) ; Link for donations from Australia ; Link for donations from Canada (choose from drop down) Giving Group Community is tax deductible vehicle for donating via wire, check, credit card or stock.

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Grant Recipients

Since October 7th, we streamlined emergency giving, making it fast and efficient, with 100% of funds going directly to the source within one day, and being reported back.

We’re directied grants to the following organizations: Ashkelon Foundation and City of Ashkelon, Afikei Orot, Ofakim, the Sderot Foundation, Kibbutz Nahal Oz, and Friends of Barzilai Medical Center Ashkelon.

Our GGC members’ support has been astounding, with donations having poured in since the start of the war. Ninety families whose homes were hit by rocket fire were evacuated to hotels. We purchased for those in public shelters games and toys, rechargeable phone battery units, protective vests and helmets, and provided daily hot meals and water. This is all because of you!

Letter of acknowledgement from Mayor of Ashkelon.

Thank you for supporting thus far the costs of funerals and shiva’s, for over 70 fallen members of our communities in Ashkelon and Sderot. We were able to support the purchase of shiva sukkah’s, plastic chairs, folding tables, hot platters, refrigerators, kettles, coolers, mats, electrical plugs and more.

In addition to supporting the needs in public shelters, for unprotected and low-income citizens, including the purchase; emergency lights for public shelters, small generators for public shelters, large generators, standing fans, mattresses, miscellaneous supplies and materials (e.g. toys and games, blankets, assistance with purchase of games, puzzles, and arts and crafts) for 300 public shelters, daily food for shelters, recharging batteries for cell phones. As well as mobilizing and evacuating 90 families (500 people), whose homes were hit by rockets, to hotels in safe areas and providing food in the interim while a long-term solution is sought.

Our CEO, Seth Davis, shares on a personal note: “My family and community in Ashkelon and the surrounding area have never been so frightened and are mobilizing a neighborhood watch. It is hard to convey the shock and disbelief of the residents of the South.” October 7th, 2023.

Let us rally together in this war – and help Israel at its time of need.

Feel free to reach out to us and ask for more information and/or suggest other areas where you would like to make an impact.

Photos Credit @Ashkelon Municipality and @TheMedicalCenterofBarzilai @AshkelonNews

Tags

Ashkelon | Capital | EMERGENCY | ISRAEL | ISRAEL AT WAR | ISRAEL REBUILD & RECOVERY | Periphery | South