Bakehila- Leading social change

Bakehila- Leading social change It is in our nature to dream big. Babies born with an innate desire to excel become kids with stars in their eyes and a wish to prove themselves, if only given the right opportunity and the factors to nurture success Unfortunately, for many, it proves much more difficult to turn hope into reality precisely because of their reality. For many of today’s youth, the distance between dreaming it and doing it is prohibitively far, as they are born into challenging conditions which for many can simply be too much to overcome. And while they long to realize their potential, their environment (their neighborhoods, schools, and general support systems of their surroundings) often is not equipped to support them in their lofty ambition. It is for these children, because of this dissonance between potential and its realization, that we formed Bakehila organization 21 years ago. With the belief that each and every child can and should be able to flourish, if only given the opportunity, the confidence, and the right conditions for this success. The vision of Bakehila was born with the goal of reducing disparities and enabling our youth to pave their own path to a better future by receiving the best support possible at key milestones along the way, executed through the following initiatives: Life Mentor Sadly, it is all too easy to fall between the cracks as a young person without an advocate, which is where Bakehila comes in. Mentors provided for our students function as an educational and social support framework, and as a role model. Beyond facilitating emulation, mentors guide and encourage our students’ efforts, create positive experiences and associations with school and studying, and foster a sense of belonging along with one of the most crucial elements of all - self-confidence and belief in oneself and one’s ability to shape the future. Shaping the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs As the startup nation, entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in the Israeli economy as a financial pillar of the economy, and a source of inspiration and interconnectivity for innovation. Bakehila gives youth-at-risk, those in the periphery of Israel geographically and often pushed aside socially, unprecedented access and exposure to hi-tech, encouraging them to aspire to find their own place within what has hands-down been the growth engine for Israel’s future prosperity, and career security and success. Birthday Angels The face of a child celebrating a birthday is one of the purest expressions of joy, but many do not have the means to prioritize these milestones. Birthday Angels enables kids in the community to be the center of attention for one day a year, cultivating a sense of pride and belonging and creating connections and memories in these crucial formative years. More than 200,000 Israeli children go without celebration due to low socio-economic status or social complexities. Our program trains teenagers in each community, empowering them to lead. These teens throw unforgettable birthday parties for local kids in a mutually beneficial program - our teens learn the power of social change and activism and increase their community involvement, while the kids have an incredible experience in the spotlight celebrating a birthday in a way they could have only dreamed prior.