Helping Children ouf of Despair | Yesh Matsav

Join us in helping and saving at-risk youth! The "Yes Matzav" organization is dedicated to supporting approximately 5,000 at-risk teens, including evacuees from the north and residents of the Gaza border region. Since October 7th, we have been working relentlessly to empower teaching staff and assist students who are facing immense challenges due to the war. Times of crisis call for unity and mutual support, and we need your help to continue this vital work. "Yes Matzav" strengthens and equips school staff with the tools to support students in distress. We provide professional training, help teachers identify students in need of personal guidance, and teach them how to inspire positive change in these students' lives. This work is enhanced by our team of guest speakers—successful adults who overcame significant hardships in their own childhoods. Over the past six years, we’ve helped 50,000 students, and we are committed to expanding our impact in response to the current situation. Many students who lived normal lives before the war are now grappling with profound loss and trauma, and we aim to offer them the support they urgently need. Meet our team! I’m Dr. Lior Zoref, founder and CEO of "Yes Matzav." Together with a passionate, professional team and a group of inspiring volunteers, we founded this organization with a vision to provide critical support to young people during the hardest moments of their lives. We invite you to join us and support our mission. All donations are tax-deductible, and donors will receive a receipt along with Form 46. Together, we can save lives! Every donation, big or small, will help us give students and teachers the tools they need to build a better future. Results and impact The impact of "Yes Matzav" is already being felt in the field. More than 50,000 students have received guidance and support, and the teachers who mentor them report a significant shift in students' attitudes and sense of capability. The program not only strengthens students but also inspires the educational teams who assist them. What Teachers Are Saying About Yes Matzav • “Every day I remind my students of what Yigal Barkat said during his meeting with them: ‘If you’re not let into the club, turn around, smile, and one day you’ll own the club. everything is possible.’ Saying such things to evacuated students who feel their world has crumbled gives them hope.” • "The lectures gave both teachers and students inspiration and motivation. Students left the sessions with a sense of optimism and renewed self-worth, understanding that their teachers are committed to supporting them and helping them succeed, even in challenging times. I've been an educator for many years and attended many trainings; this one touched me the most. The contribution of the program is immense and significant.” • "The meetings themselves, looking at each other’s faces, the genuine concern—it was a safe harbor for me during the terrible storms in the early days of the war. I felt like Lior was truly interested, genuinely wanted to help, and was ready to do much more than what a typical lecturer in training programs does.” • "The lecture that had a particular impact on me was by Lieutenant Colonel Pinni Ben Moyal. He was born in Arad to Moroccan parents in a home full of love but with few means. When he was an MP in an artillery battalion he had a soldier who was considered a 'disaster.' Everyone was afraid of him. No one wanted to mess with him. Pinni believed in him, gave him command responsibility, and thus changed the course of his life. Today the soldier who was a 'disaster' is a judge. • “After being tasked with choosing two students in need of help, I suddenly noticed how many ‘lost’ students surrounded me. I chose to mentor two lovely girls. I explained that I wanted to guide them during this time. In our conversations, we discussed lectures from the 'Yes Matzav' program, such as the one by Shahar Bar-David, founder of 'Srutonim' (a very well known content and production company). His ambition, his setbacks, and his eventual rise through the creation of Srutonim shifted their entire worldview to a more positive outlook.” Message from the President of Israel We are proud to share with you a special message from the President of Israel, dedicated to the devoted volunteers of "Yes Matzav." In the attached video, the President expresses his support for the crucial work we are leading and highlights the importance of saving at-risk youth during these difficult times. Watch the video here Expanding Partnerships to Support At-Risk Youth Since its establishment, "Yes Matzav" has forged partnerships with key educational organizations across Israel. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, we implement "Teacher as a Mentor" model teacher trainings, empowering educators to become pivotal figures in the lives of students facing insurmountable challenges. ORT, one of Israel’s leading technological education networks, has joined forces with us to integrate our unique programs into their schools. Together, we inspire students and help them discover their strengths, even during the most challenging periods. We Are Responding to the Emergency in Israel! Currently, "Yes Matzav" is actively supporting two schools in  communities most affected by the conflict —Nofei HaBesor near the Gaza border and ORT Shlomi in the North. Since our involvement, these schools have undergone a dramatic transformation, working with students who have endured deep trauma and severe loss. To help the educational staff cope with the heavy emotional burden, we developed an expanded program that strengthens the personal resilience of teachers and provides them with the tools they need to face these challenges. In addition, we bring our top speakers to these schools for inspirational sessions as part of the program. This initiative includes emotional processing activities, personal coaching training, and aims to build a safe and supportive environment for both staff and students. How You Can Help To continue our work and expand our impact, we need your support. Every donation, big or small, helps us reach more students in need and ensures that each one receives the guidance and care necessary to thrive. With your contributions, we empower our teachers and mentors to accompany these youth on their journey to emotional, academic, and social recovery.