Sderot Community Center
the Problem
our Solution
Housed in a bomb-proof facility, the Sderot Community Center provides a safe, social, and therapeutic environment for participants to come together and enrich their lives.
For our senior citizens, the center’s safety measures provide them the peace of mind to leave their homes. They can socialize, work on fine motor skills through woodworking and nourish their well-being with the help of the supportive staff.
For our teens, we focus on overcoming past trauma and personal challenges through art therapy, with an emphasis on goal-setting and skill-building. With the help of professional staff, the center serves as a prevention strategy to keep at-risk youth on track for a brighter future.
MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM:
How we are making a difference
In Sderot, where residents bear such a high percentage of PTSD, the Community Center allows at-risk, impoverished populations to receive treatment in a way they are comfortable accepting. For those more resistant to traditional forms of therapy, art therapy, such as woodworking, helps participants open up, build trust, and stimulate conversation. Through building together, participants can process their traumas and alleviate feelings of isolation.
TESTIMONIAL
“I was having trouble getting through to my son. His mentor at the Center really helped him to understand himself. He’s doing so well in school now! I am so proud!”
Bob P. father
TESTIMONIAL
“Volunteering at the Center means so much to me. You see these kids and feel like you’re saving a whole world whenever they smile.”
Israel, father of 4
TESTIMONIAL
“I was having trouble getting through to my son. His mentor at the Center really helped him grow. He’s doing so well in school now! I am so proud!”
David, father
TESTIMONIAL
“The Center is a second home for me. It gives me something to look forward to and the new friends that I made there have really lifted my spirits.”
Malka, 80-year-old
why do we need your help?
We help a lot of people, it's expensive! Here are some of the costs that we need your help covering every month.
75% of the Sderot population suffer from PTSD.
Often the target of missile and rocket attacks, the residents are accustomed to living on high alert and having to seek refuge in bomb shelters. With only 15 or 30 seconds to get to safety, many senior citizens fear going out altogether and face additional challenges of isolation and loneliness.
Sderot’s poverty and unemployment rate are also higher than the national average, and teens have an alarming 15% high school dropout rate.