Growing

The Challenge: Some people returned from the war with their bodies—but not their minds. There is a reservist who feels his control slipping away every time he hears a loud noise. There is an evacuated mother from the north who has been trying to hold her family together for months, while inside, she is falling apart. And there is a young survivor from the music festival who struggles just to get out of bed in the morning. Hundreds of thousands are silently carrying what words cannot describe. From the events of October 7th to the ongoing war, Israel is facing an unprecedented need for mental health support. The statistics are staggering: according to research by Ben-Gurion University, nearly 1 in 2 young adults in Israel (42%) have developed PTSD following the war. Among evacuees, that number rises to 3 in 5 (60%). While the public health system is overwhelmed and waiting lists stretch for months, a private treatment program costs 3,700 NIS (approx. $1,000) or more. Many urgently need this care, but the financial barrier simply prevents them from getting it. Our Solution – Project GROWING: We offer a natural, effective rehabilitation response that complements existing therapeutic frameworks: a network of urban therapeutic farms (currently in Tel Aviv’s Azrieli Garden, Akko, and Holon). Here, reservists, evacuees, and adults coping with trauma come to work the earth, breathe, and process their experiences in a small, safe group of peers. Backed by strategic partnerships with major stakeholders, including the Azrieli Group and the JDC (Joint), GROWING offers a sustainable, professionally validated model that works hand-in-hand with national healing efforts. How Does Healing Through the Earth Work? The 20-week program is based on agro-therapy—an evidence-based treatment method. For someone who has experienced trauma, sitting in a closed clinic facing a therapist can be daunting. Nature-based therapy offers something completely different: Regulation and Grounding: The physical touch of the soil, the repetitive action of planting, and being outdoors naturally lower stress hormones and calm the nervous system out of "survival mode." A Safe, Non-Judgmental Space: Working side-by-side and focusing on nurturing a plant allows participants to open up, share, and process at their own pace, without pressure. Regaining Control: Trauma strips away our sense of control. Watching a seedling grow into a fruit-bearing plant through dedicated care restores a sense of capability, responsibility, and faith in life. All activities are led by therapeutic instructors in the field, fully supported behind the scenes by a senior clinical team of psychologists and social workers. Our Impact and Vision: The results of our pilot speak for themselves: 100% of participants reported a significant improvement in their mental well-being, and 100% would recommend the program to friends. As one participant shared: "For the first time, I felt I was in a place where I could truly talk. Connecting to the earth helped me calm myself down, even between sessions." Over the next five years, our vision is to create a lasting positive impact across Israeli society. By expanding our network of farms, we aim to provide support to thousands of additional participants, serving as a vital complementary resource to the public health system. Our professional, holistic model empowers participants to achieve their personal goals, helping them reintegrate into their daily lives and social circles. Ultimately, GROWING seeks to transform urban spaces into permanent healing hubs, fostering national resilience and a sustainable, community-based mental health infrastructure for the future. How Can You Make an Impact? 3,700 NIS is the exact amount standing between an individual coping with trauma and a full treatment program. Your donation is the difference between someone receiving the life-saving care they need, and someone being left behind. 180 NIS: Funds one healing session in the earth. 500 NIS: Funds three life-changing sessions. 1,800 NIS: Subsidizes half of a complete rehabilitation program. 3,700 NIS: Provides a full, 20-week rehabilitation program for one participant. Re-growing starts in the earth. You are invited to be a part of the healing.