Care for thousands at risk

THE revolutionary Youth Futures program that helps children and families at risk in Israel may soon gain traction further afield, as the organisation’s CEO, Shai Lazer, arrives in Australia tomorrow (Friday), hoping to see the program’s model brought down under.

Designed for disadvantaged children aged 6-13, the mentorship, social experiences and educational enrichment provided by Youth Futures – a Jewish Agency subsidiary and flagship program initiated in 2006 – aims to create independent, productive and motivated young people.

“Our main goal is to prevent drop-outs in primary and high school,” remarked Lazer, who explained that the program is enabled by funding from the Israeli government and philanthropic sources such as Keren Hayesod–United Israel Appeal.

Working towards this goal, Youth Futures employs qualified mentors – role models and confidants who grew up in the neighbourhood where they now mentor – to support the child and their family for a period of three to five years.

With a successful track record in transforming the lives of disadvantaged kids, many of whom are immigrants, have experienced family breakdown or violence, Outcome Australia – an NGO that employs unique and innovative approaches to solving national problems – are looking to implement a program based on Youth Futures in Australia.

“We provide the knowledge and the experience, and they [may] operate it in Australia, mainly in Sydney,” commented Lazer, who will split his time in Australia between meetings with psychologists, social workers and leading business figures, and public speaking engagements.

Part of the appeal of Youth Futures is its informal model of care. Some families are fearful of, and hesitant to approach, government institutions when they are hindered by cultural or language barriers, or feel overwhelmed by layers of bureaucracy.

“We are a system that works in a more informal way that creates much more trust with the families,” said Lazer.

The program aims to bridge the gap between families and government institutions, by re-instilling trust on the family’s part, and working through issues that may limit access to essential services.

Info:
Shai Lazer will speak this Sunday at the UIA General Division. For more information, visit www.uia.org.au or call (02) 9361 4273

SOPHIE DEUTSCH

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