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JDC Crisis Response Plan: ChildrenJDC in Israel: Ensuring the Safety of Children, JDC, together with United Jewish Communities (UJC), the Jewish Federations of North America, and the Jewish Agency have taken immediate action ensuring the safety of the most vulnerable populations which it traditionally served. 
Keep the Children Safe The reality in Israel has shifted. Where during the Intifada, children were kept safe through a massive effort to bring them together in secure areas and provide them with meaningful summer camp and after school activities, this strategy is no longer wise. With the threat now coming from airborne missiles and rockets, the Government of Israel and the IDF have given orders to close camps and educational programs – and to prevent people from congregating in large groups. Instead, families are being instructed to keep children at home and in or near shelters. While this helps guarantee the youngsters physical security, it can leave them feeling isolated and vulnerable. JDC seeks to address these challenges with the following programs. 
AMEN – Volunteers Run Activities for Children in Shelters AMEN volunteers have already packed hundreds of these activity kits for. children not able to leave their towns and who are spending their days in shelters -- click here for a complete list of kit contents. Youth will keep children occupied and distracted from this potentially traumatic experience by using game kits created and approved by the Ministry of Education. These include board games, educational card games, and art projects etc. AMEN – Emergency Training for Youth Volunteers More AMEN youth volunteers are needed in the north of Israel. A rapid training and orientation program has been designed and volunteers can be put in place very quickly to assist in 3 additional locations. These volunteers will be deployed to work as part of the emergency service network including providing first aid and will receive fire department training. Community Centers – Emergency Outreach Programs While the Government of Israel has not instructed the civilian population from northern Israel to evacuate to the center of the country, many families have taken the decision to do so on their own. For their children, the summer experience has gone from fun in the sun to dislocation and despair. Yet, these youngsters can be helped to enjoy the rest of the summer if we act quickly to partner with the Israel Association of Community Centers to reach out and identify them and run safe and fun programs in their new temporary home towns. Emergency Psychological Support for Children and Families in Shelters As part of the highly successful UJC Israel Emergency Campaign, Israel's school-based psychological services were upgraded and adapted to help children and their families better meet crises situations. Building on this strength, JDC now proposes using the highly trained "psychological reserve forces" of the Ministry of Education to work with youngsters and their families in shelters across northern Israel during this summer of crisis. A Friend to the Family: Families of children with special needs can be stretched to the breaking point during times of emergency. The Friend to the Family Program was designed and launched during the recent Intifadah to bring trained volunteers into these homes to assist parents and families in coping with the additional challenges brought on by the deteriorating security situation. JDC has now been asked to launch this initiative as soon as possible in 8 locations in the North: Ma'alot, Ma'alot-Tarshisha, Ir Hacarmel, Migdal Ha'emek, Nazareth with 3 additional locations to be determined. The program can be expanded to include other sites already in the line of fire and/or which become part of the conflict zone in the future. Home on Wheels With children throughout the north of Israel now confined to shelters and safe rooms, those with severe physical disabilities are in a particularly difficult situation. Their limited mobility and physical challenges make taking part in "regular" emergency activities highly problematic. JDC proposes implementing the Home on Wheels initiative which will serve these children and youth from locations throughout northern Israel. The program can be expanded to serve additional children/youth if funds become available. Locations in the north: Bustan Hagalil (near Acco/Nahariya). 
Preparation for Life: Mechina L'Chaim During normal times, the Mechina L'Chaim residential program prepares physically disabled, blind and visually impaired youth for independent adult life. As a result of the security situation, these youngsters have been evacuated from their group homes in Bustan Hagalil (near Acco/Nahariya) and in Nahariya and all regular activities have been suspended. JDC seeks to continue programming in a safe location in central Israel and to provide necessary transportation services. Read about JDC's Emergency Programs for other Vulnerable Populations: Click here to download JDC's Israel Crisis Fund Proposal  Adobe Acrobat(pdf - 574kb)
PLEASE JOIN US IN HELPING THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL: In North America via your local federation
"United Jewish Communities, Israel Crisis Fund" and Mail to: Attn: Israel Crisis Fund P.O. Box 20 Old Chelsea Station New York, NY 10113 July 2006 |
