Help Israel's Youth during the Corona crisis

For more info about ELEM visit our website. 

Dear Friends,

We hope this finds you well and healthy.

These are dangerous and trying times all around the world.  The Coronavirus has hit Israel hard. Youth on the streets are especially vulnerable. They are exposed to the virus and lack vital information and the ability to quarantine.

Many of our youth centers have had to shut down due to the virus but are operating digitally and on the phone, while our outreach vans are still operating and our 24/7 shelters are open.

Our staff and volunteers at ELEM cannot afford to halt their work. Lives depend on us. We prioritize youth who are neglected and homeless and this isn’t going to change because of this current crisis.

ELEM Digital, which helps at-risk youth through the web, is a fundamental resource during these times.  We’re seeing a large increase in online inquiries by youth, dominated by existential anxiety and fear of the ever-growing unknown. To meet this need, we’re expanding professional training and availability of virtual therapy and counseling professionals. We must be there for these youth.

While working within the new pandemic control restrictions, we are seeking to provide services needed  by youth in every one of our 82 programs across Israel on the streets, at our physical spaces and online, although it has become very difficult.

Your help is crucial at this time, since the tasks at hand are more complex than before.  And once things quiet down, the aftermath will hit us like a wave, as we’ll need to recover from what is likely to be months of reduced-capacity operations, but overwhelming need. Please help us keep our financial reserves as full as possible to allow us to provide critical, continuous support for these youth. No one else will make homeless youths a priority.

We ask that you consider making a donation today.  Any amount will help.
 

Lenore Ruben, President of ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel ​
 

David Birnbaum, Director of Development