Thousands of teenagers from the Former Soviet Union have dropped out of academic schools, and wound up in vocational schools. These schools are a last resort at giving these youthat- risk some academic skills and a brighter future. Behavioral problems including violence are rampant, and the teenager’s human and financial resources are severely limited.
Success in this environment presents a serious challenge. Partial matriculation is an important factor for future integration. Failure may mean denial for military service, which could make absorption into Israeli society even more difficult.
Immigrant children are tragically over-represented in these special trade schools - 40% of the enrollment is Ethiopian, even though they comprise only 1% of the population.
We Are All Together combines academic and social intervention to promote performance in school and higher functioning at home. While the focus is on reinforcing Hebrew literacy and academic essentials, most critical in this effort is helping students overcome personal issues.
Students are tutored in groups in their native language (Amharic or Russian), and parents and school staff also receive training that results in comprehensive solutions.
Youth objectives include:
• Overcoming feelings of stigmatization and raising self-esteem
• Teaching means of coping with personal problems and pressure
• Prevention of violence and substance abuse
• Nurturing self-respect and respect for others
• Improving communication skills with school authorities and parents
• Instilling a sense of identity as proud Israelis who understand that society really wants them to succeed as integral citizens
Parent objectives include:
• Education about the differences between their native cultural norms and those prevalent in Israel
• Improvement of family communication skills
• Teaching of skills needed for raising adolescents
• Strengthening their communication and interaction with school authorities
Staff objectives include:
• Training in helping children who are experiencing cultural crises
• Coordination between school and program staff, parents and local authorities
Treatment of identity issues includes helping them to explore their cultural, national and religious identity with a new open spirit, re-introducing them to Israel as an inclusive and pluralistic society.
This part of the program uses experiential workshops with inspirational, spiritual leaders and public figures, study trips to historic and cultural sites and encourages volunteering in community activities.