Ronen, a municipal unit for the welfare of youth was founded in 1982 in order to treat youngsters at risk, aged 14 to 21. These distressed youngsters suffer a variety of hardships which are realized in different forms, such as behavior dysfunctions, social withdrawal, and deliquency and are therefore unable to reach their full potential.
Since Ronen was founded the unit has treated over 4,500 youngsters.
During 2003 the unit dealt with over 1000 youngsters. About 300 of these youngsters are newcomers from the former U.S.S.R, and 80 of them are second generation newcomers from Ethiopia.
These youngsters suffer from a wide variety of hardships such as communication difficulties within the family, low socioeconomic status, adaptation difficulties, mental, emotional or physical abuse, sexual harassment etc. These are magnified by the typical problems of teenagers, and are expressed in various ways: behavior and conduct disorders, violence, incompetent coping with school, juvenile deliquency, vagrancy, depression, suicidal thoughts and actions, anorexia and drug abuse.
Ronen offers these youngsters services in two major forms; the first is individual treatment, a therapeutic relationship with a social worker who accompanies the youngster, helping and supporting him through his hardships.
The second form is group work. According to our experience, in addition to the individual treatment it is necessary to provide our clients with a peer group. We find that many teenagers adjust well to group work, whether in the form of a therapeutic group for violent boys or a Photo workshop. The group provides a microcosm which enables the participants to improve their interpersonal capabilities. The groups are also a form of fun and pleasure, a place for sublimation and relaxing.
During 2003 Ronen initiated 16 different group projects with over 300 participants.
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Drama, A weekly activity for up to 20 participants. The group's goal is producing a full scale show, with a performance at the conclusion of the activity.
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Video, a group activity in the form of a video course with an emphasis on learning the basics of video filming. This group is planned for up to 20 participants.
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Photo workshop has an emphasis on individuality, Even though the group includes up to 15 participants. These participants learn to produce quality images, and arrange an exhibit of their pictures.
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Drawing & painting, this group has had many versions over the years. Over the past three years this project was dedicated to newcomers from the former U.S.S.R and was instructed by a staff of newcomers, a youth counselor and art instructors. The participants practiced different forms of art such as, sketching, painting and sculpting.
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Survival, a catchy theme which attracts many youngsters. The main activities are field trips to different parts of the country, while learning how to "survive" in the wilderness. The group is built for up to 15 participants.
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Day activities. During holidays and vacations, single day activities are organized. These activities include: field trips, amusement parks, horse back riding etc...
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Football/Soccer. A group of 20 boys, who have basic skills in the game, are organized and coached regularly and participate in tournaments.
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"D.J.", a professional D.J. course. This activity attracts youngsters whom enjoy music and want to try performing and practice it professionally.
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Girls - club. A weekly activity offered for young girls aged 13-15. The gatherings include activities regarding adolescence themes such as: parent- child relationships, social relationships with boys and girls. Other activities are sublimental such as: horse- back riding, field trips, self defense etc...
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Girls - club, for new-comer girls from the former U.S.S.R. The activities are similar to the group above, but have emphasis on the hardships of immigration absorption.
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Sexual & health consultation center for youth. A staff of a social worker, nutritionist, physician and nurse are available once a week in a special center for youngsters. These clients receive personal and confidential consulting for professionals in the fields of sexuality, nutrition and health.
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Capuera, The popular Brazilian martial art, which involves discipline, strength, flexibility and rhythm. This group has been active over the last five years and is run by a professional Capoeira instructor.
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Personal Computer. We have established a computer center with 10 PC work stations. The center is active in different ways mainly in order to operate groups which learn the basics of PC use, Word, Windows, Power-Point, Excel and the Internet.
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Boys - club. A unique establishment located in one of the rougher neighborhoods in Bat-yam. The club is open 5 days a week 17:00 to 22:00 for boy only. The club offers different activities, pool, table tennis, TV, music, field trip etc… The club is run by a youth counselor and a social worker.
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Beith Hadas – The "warm shelter" is an active warm home as its name implies. It is an enriching therapeutic institution within the community, serves as a school for human skills and aims to contribute a good social experience (within the peer group) for young girls at risk (and girls that suffered from severe negligence). The home is activated by a social worker, a youth counselor and two soldier- teachers.
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We have been providing this activity for the last 12 years for young drop-outs. These kids had not completed the basic educational program of 8-10 years.
Within Hila every student has his own teacher who follows a special program built by the Board of Education. Each pupil learns according to his capabilities and tempo. The student attends examinations (held by the Board of Education) only when the student and his teacher feel he is ready for it. Each pupil receives a program that suits his personal needs. Usually we begin with areas pupils find easy and only when they establish some confidence they approach more difficult subjects. This activity is held in the after-noon or evening in order to enable the students to work during the day.
Many of the youngsters that took part in the program attended external high schools afterwards.
Lately some of the participants began studying toward the matriculation exams. These courses are held gratis.
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Ronen is active in the field of youth at risk in Bat Yam. It's activities Range from individual therapy through group work, social activities and a wide variety of projects.
We believe that if we will be given more tools we will be able to reach and treat even more potential clients, who are in need of attention and treatment.
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Within its range of activities, Ronen intends to establish a therapeutic center which will serve as home for all of Ronen’s projects. At present most of these projects take place in bomb-shelters (which were built in the 60's) all over Bat-Yam, most of which are not suitable for these purposes; nevertheless, 300 youngsters attend these projects. Should we obtain a proper arena for the projects, we believe that the number of participants will increase to 600.
Ronen-Neurim center aims to be a suitable solution for cut-off youngsters who have no connection with any other formal framework. The center’s activities will take place around noon- time and in the evenings with both Ronen’s social workers and professional tutors and instructors who have experience working with a young population.
please contact us by phone: +972-3-5078116
Or by e-mail: Yoav Levinstein (B.S.W)
Michael Steiner (M.S.W)
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