אותות- דלת לחיים חדשים

Otot (‘good signs’) was founded 1981, and its mission is to provide community-based short- to mid-term residential solutions and interventions with which to address many of the debilitating problems facing its target-population of youth at-risk from diverse religious, sexual, and ethnic backgrounds. The overarching goal is that as a result of a stable environment, counseling, as well as working with their families, and access to education, these youngsters can hopefully return home, and eventually integrate as functional members of Israeli society. Otot annually serves some 2,300 teens between the ages of 14-18, and young adults between the ages of 18- 26 that lack a family support system and cannot oftentimes live on their own. The youth reflect all sectors of Israeli society- Jews, Arabs, secular, Orthodox, ultra-Orthodox and LGBT. Otot’s 34 facilities, which are located throughout Israel, receive funding and professional oversight by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services. Otot was awarded the esteemed Recanti prize in 2018 for initiating and developing an innovative program serving young women lacking familial supports.