Background
Dropping out of school is a universal phenomenon on the rise, happening in every layer of society. At risk teenagers are a group characterized by activities and behaviors such as drug use, drug dealing, vagrancy and even prostitution.
Established in 2004, MENIFA is a nonprofit organization instigating programs for the prevention of high school drop outs, as well as for at risk youth that have already dropped out. MENIFA works to reduce educational gaps and return these youth to a purposeful and meaningful life. MENIFA works in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other authorities (see section of website on partners).
Out operating model is inclusive and comprehensive with goal of returning the youth to normative social structures. Our programs stress personal empowerment and identity development of the teens. We believe in instilling in them tools such as: motivation, taking responsibility and trust, which will lead them to reintegrate into normative society.
MENIFA provides emotional and educational support, in the community, with continuous escorting of many professionals, these include: supervisors, teaching team, educational coordinator, psychologists, counselor and more. Out teaching team consists of trainee teachers who participate in a comprehensive training program with the aim of improving the future teaching force in Israel.
So far approximately 1500 teenagers all over the country have returned to regular attendance and functioning through our different programs.
"I am returning this week – all excited about the senior seminar – where I could see the blessed fruits on the MENIFA program. I think success in the matriculation exams is minor to the main goal of MENIFA – creating a place to belong for a group of drop out teen girls… It is very exciting to see how in less then 2 months, MENIFA is a home for 15 girls, a meaningful place of belonging and relevance. It's hard to believe how a framework like this has created such a change… This program saves the girls from the deterioration they were already beginning to experience…"
(S. A head of as Ulpana, 2004)
|
Read more about us:
From the Jewish Press Magazine, Jan 2007
Summary of MENIFA Centers
2008-9
|
