DARNA- SAFE HOME FOR AT RISK YOUTH

In Israel, there are thousands of adolescents and juveniles defined as "Extreme at-Risk Youth". These youths have experienced severe crises as domestic violence and neglect causing them to be detached from society and at a high risk of becoming delinquents. In today's reality there is a great difficulty in finding appropriate rehabilitation solutions for them due to an acute shortage of residential facilities specializing in the care and rehabilitation of such youth. Assisted by top level criminologists and psychologists, "Darna" seeks to establish a special model of residential facilities which will provide individual attention and support for these youngsters, significantly boosting their chances to be rehabilitated and integrated in society. In this spirit, in 2015 we opened an educational rehabilitation residential facility for at-risk youth between the ages 14-18, who are referred by the Ministry of Welfare. Our facility is located in Ruppin Campus, near Netanya. Most of the youngsters come from low income families and have dropped out of school. Other common problems are learning disabilities, behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, petty theft and more. Darna is probably their last chance of rehabilitation before they deteriorate into delinquents and social outcasts. We believe that behavior can be modified by reinforcing the good in a person and exposing him to positive experiences and kindness, while emphasizing his strengths. This approach is contrary to conventional methods focusing on negative behavior. Each of our youngsters receives his own tailor-made rehabilitation program combining education and personal empowerment. The youngsters learn in small classrooms within the residential facility. Teachers from the Ministry of Education and volunteers help them return to the learning framework with the aim of graduating with a matriculation or technological/vocational certificate. Personal empowerment includes participating on a regular basis in a range of enjoyable and challenging outdoor activities, such as: riding and grooming horses, taking care of injured animals, bicycle riding, wave surfing, sailing and field trips. Darna’s combined education and empowerment program provides the youngsters with tools to cope with physical and mental hardship, and creates a bond between the individual and his community. The youngsters learn to live in a group, help and be helped. For many of them, this is the first time they experience a sense of success which improves their self-esteem and self-image. We, the leaders, the crew and the volunteers of Darna, do the best we can to provide these "lost" children with what every youngster in Israel deserves: education, experiences, personal empowerment, warmth and love. We believe that the educational model we have developed will enable more youngsters to build their future and lead their lives as responsible, independent and contributing members of society.