Target Population
Teenagers ages 13-18, enrolled in school but are “At-Risk” in that they feel disconnected from their family, peers, community, shul, culture, religion, and/or social group etc. In general, these boys would not take advantage of available resources for both Normative and “At-Risk” teenagers because they don’t view themselves that way or in that peer group, their parents/schools won’t allow them to participate, and/or their schedules don’t allow for it. Some have made aliyah, some are enrolled in a school or attend a shul or live in a community they don’t identify with, some have learning challenges, some feel religious and/or academic pressure. Many had attended after school programming previously in elementary school but have no equivalent high school program.
Solution
We provide a social structure and peer group that includes an encouraging environment, role models, building social skills, positive outlets, and ultimately helps to reconnect them with their family/school community etc. Guides and role models also develop relationships with teens and are placed to offer support and referrals to other Hakshiva resources and services.
Program
Once a week after school, learning and an activity/hang-out with avreichim (young married men in Kollel). Each group is limited only to teens from the same school/yeshiva/program. The avreichim are local and trained by Hakshiva on how to work with teens. We familiarize them with common issues that arise and on interventions and/or referrals. The limited group gives the schools, parents and teens the safety of knowing who is attending. The avreichim focus on building a healthy and close relationship with their assigned teen(s) and provide a confidential ear they can open up to. The setting of learning/activity in a beis hamidrash creates a fun and comfortable atmosphere in a setting that feels more normative, and connects the teens to local shuls and kollels etc. and gives them a more positive Torah/religious experience. The learning is not necessarily connected to what they are learning in school/yeshiva, but is geared to expose them to more subjects that they otherwise wouldn’t learn, although many will use what they learn in school/yeshiva as well. Subjects on topics of interest are prepared that promote teens to share their thoughts and opinions while also going through guided study sheets. They are also encouraged to take turns speaking publicly in front of the group. Questions and challenges that are thought provoking and/or require applying learned knowledge are also included.
Benefits and Testimonies
Schools and yeshivas have noted increased and more consistent attendance by students that participate in the program. Their overall attitude and behavior are more positive and happier, and they participate more in school events. Participating students also become a closer and stronger peer group in school/yeshiva. Faculty note: “We overhear the students often speaking about the program positively and in anticipation of the coming weeks activity”. Students also share in class ideas and use skills they have learned through the program.
Parents note that their participating children look forward all week to the program. “The fact that they choose to go learn in a beis hamidrash with avreichim during their free time is proof enough of what the program is doing for my son”. They have also noted that their children spend more time with their peers from the program outside of school/yeshiva, and so are generally less concerned about who their children are hanging out with.
