Life’s transitions, even those that revolve around happy occasions such as graduation, marriage and starting one’s first job, are difficult. These changes are especially challenging for the thousands of children, young adults and families who live in an Emunah home, receiving counseling in an Emunah therapy and trauma counseling center, and students at Emunah’s high schools and colleges.
For the child who arrives at an Emunah home, having been removed from a dangerous family situation and never having attended school there is the need to build trust and confidence and prepare them for the classroom. For the young adult battling addiction, there is the need to learn how to live a healthy and productive lifestyle. For the Chatan or Kallah (bride or groom) who grew up in an Emunah home, and are unable to turn to parents or relatives for help in navigating life’s normal changes, there is the need to learn how to properly communicate with one’s spouse and manage one’s finances. For the high school graduate, or Emunah resident about to enter the Israel Defense Forces or National Service, there is a need to prepare for independent living.
Throughout Emunah’s network of residences and therapy and trauma counseling centers, children and families are healing 
from traumatic life experiences. It is the goal in every Emunah home that they will learn how to successfully navigate future life challenges and continue to feel the warm hand and heart of Emunah no matter where life leads them. Emunah educates and empower marginalized young Jewish men and women and open their eyes to the basic skills needed to move on to a productive, happy, healthy and independent life and break the cycle of distress. HELPS will not only provide lessons in a classroom, but will also create safe practice situations where Emunah’s children and young adults can utilize the skills they are learning.
Hirmes Emunah Life Preparation Services provides knowledge and skills through classes, workshops and seminars that will address subjects including:
- Introduction to adulthood, and the rights and responsibilities of an adult in Israel
- Job readiness training and career mentoring
- Managing and budgeting time and finances
- Practical life skills including prevention of and responding to sexual harassment and assault
- Computer skills and proficiency
- Nutrition and basic culinary skills
- Shopping wisely and on a budget
- “I Can Fix It” – basic home maintenance skills
- Healthy Physical Exercise
- Emotional Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Anger/Stress Management
- Preparation for life in the IDF or National Service
- Driving lessons, safety and responsibility
Tali’s Story
Tali came to Emunah Achuzat Sarah after having stayed at an emergency shelter for almost two years. She is the fourth of five siblings and has witnessed the very ugly divorce of her parents when she was 10.
Following the separation she lived partially with each parent, without the certainty of where she would stay them on a permanent basis.
When there was a serious suspicion of Tali being abused and neglected by both of her parents, social services and the courts intervened. It was decided to place her in the emergency shelter, while looking for an adequate solution in an out-of-home placement.
At the age of 15 Tali came to Achuzat Sara and it was clear from the beginning that she had no one else she could count on except our Staff. For a certain period her mother even moved abroad with her new husband, notifying Tali only after her departure. Tali spent all her vacations, Shabbatot and holidays at the Home, even Rosh Hashana and Pesach.
Being aware of her situation, she decided to join the army after graduating from Achuzat Sara, knowing that it would provide her with a safe haven for a few years. Kinneret, her social worker at Achuzat Sara, realized she would need extra support, and enrolled her into a special Program of the army for youth at risk..
In addition, Tali was supposed to spend half a year in another special program (mechina) for youth at risk called to prepare herself for the army. She joined that program late after contracting Corona while staying at her mother’s.
Unfortunately, Tali lasted only one week at the program, as she could not cope with its regulations and quit.
Erev Sukkot, Tali contacted Yair, the Director of Achuzat Sarah, for help. She had no place to live and had not eaten for several days.
Yair gave her money for food and a bus pass, contacted Sagit, the Director of communications , who found her a place to stay for a few days at one of Tali’s former Achuzat Sarah counselors.
During the following days, Sagit spent many hours on the phone with army authorities, getting permission for Tali to enroll into the army earlier than planned. She also needed to be accepted into one of the housing programs for lone soldiers early. Usually these programs are available to the lone soldier three months prior to starting the army. In addition Sagit made arrangements for an army social worker to work with her immediately.
Tali has been permitted to start her service in mid-November and has been allocated a place in one of the housing programs for lone soldiers where she is currently staying. She is also supposed to start additional emotional counseling at Achuzat Sara. Although Tali no longer lives at Achuzat Sara our job is not done.
Tali’s story is one of many. Emunah is here for our graduates supporting them through their life cycle events, like any other parent does for their child.
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