Teens in Israel, if they have gone through significant emotional trauma or illness, will frequently be rejected from military service or, alternatively, National Service.  Being excluded from this normative path, combined with other factors, can result in feelings of alienation and poor self-worth, impair their emotional stability and eventually cause them to function poorly in society.

The Hed program offers young adults, ages 18-28, opportunity and appropriate support to return to a normative life path. Program participants can stay in Hed until they have enough skills to leave the program and rejoin the normative community of their choice.  Hed has three stages: Empowerment through preparation for entering the job market, Contribution to society by serving in National Service and Occupational training or academic education

Participants live in a group home, in Sderot’s Center for Young Adults, along with students and soldiers of the same age group.  Each participant’s program is adapted to his or her special needs and background.

The Hed Program was started in Sderot as a pilot for a nationwide program.  Following the success of Hed in Sderot, the program will be started in two additional cities in Israel in 2008.

Gvanim thanks its Program Partners:  The Ministry of Health, the Bat Ami Association and the Gandyr Foundation LTD