Her Academy for women in situations of prostitution and abuse

Sixty-one home addresses. This isn't a viral challenge but the life story of one woman. What's an address if not an anchor? What's home supposed to be if not the feeling of safety, stability, warmth, and love? Sixty-one home addresses tell the story of a life of social exclusion, neglect and risk, instability, and a search for steady ground. This is the story of Bat-El and at least 16,000 girls and women in Israel who are in situations of prostitution and violence. The term situations of prostitution and violence is intended. The general public is comfortable tagging these women as prostitutes, burdening them with the responsibility and guilt. If people understood the circumstances leading them to this state, they would understand the gravity of their labeling: Many of these women have been neglected and abused their entire lives in places they were supposed to be safe. And by the people who were supposed to provide them with love and security. They're stigmatized and pushed to the outskirts of society, where women are at heightened risk. Despite the ostracization, these women haven't lost hope of fulfilling the life they want for themselves. The vast majority of Her Academy’s students dream of being able to leave behind the situations of prostitution and violence they're in. They aren't giving up, and understand: making this change is as complex as moving a mountain. But most are missing the background, experience and networks necessary to begin on a professional path, and certainly lack the positive and supportive environment needed to take the complicated first steps. Who would seriously consider a CV with only one experience line- prostitution? Who can guarantee that they can succeed even as they overcome tremendous personal hurdles such as anxiety, complex post-trauma, and societal obstacles? Like all of us, they need advice, support, guidance, and a listening ear so that they can overcome the difficulties that lie ahead. To respond to this social vacuum, we founded Her Academy in 2016. Iris Stern Levy and Tal Hamaoui dreamt of and built Her Academy, a social school for women exiting situations of prostitution and violence in Israel. Knowledge is power, and every woman making an effort to change her life on her own terms, is a woman with unparalleled force. Our goal is clear: to create employment opportunities for Her Academy's students through vocational training and accompaniment into the workforce. We provide our students with the tools they need to create their own personal revolution. We open every possible door for their success. This year to date, 166 women from all over Israel are studying at Her Academy in our Tel Aviv campus. Taught by a team of professional volunteers, we train them in various professions such as office administration, childcare, floral arranging, intro to Pilates instruction, bike technicians and more Since Her Academy’s founding, over 70% of Her Academy’s graduates who are eligible for work integrate successfully into the workforce, thanks to their strength and the steady accompaniment of Her Academy's devoted team. A true revolution, that defies deep rooted discrimination and stigmas and requires courage and resilience, traits that our students have in abundance. We know of thousands of more women who want to create a change in their lives, and we want to create opportunities for them in other regions of Israel. For this purpose, Her Academy is expanding its groundbreaking model and will open a campus in Haifa in 2023! Set-up costs are 300,000ILS. 50% has been pledged from a generous donor, if we can raise the other half. Please help us create a revolution in the lives of women exiting situations of prostitution and violence. Donate to Her Academy, a social school that is creating a revolution.