POST-OCTOBER 7TH
OASIS OF JOY
This year, the expansion of our “Oasis of Joy” spaces across many of our centers has been transformative for the children we serve. These vibrant, welcoming areas offer kids a safe haven to escape the challenges around them, find moments of pure happiness, and be themselves.
Each Oasis is designed to foster relaxation and connection, with activities that bring kids from diverse backgrounds together in friendship and fun.
These joyful spaces have become vital to our centers, helping kids experience peace and support in an environment dedicated to their well-being.
We’ve seen firsthand how trauma can deeply affect children’s emotional well-being. Our programs, designed with mental health as a cornerstone, are about building resilience, confidence, and hope.
Many of the kids we work with have experienced unimaginable stress; some now live in close quarters after being relocated from the border, while others have had their sense of security and normalcy shattered by near-constant bomb sirens.
Through our centers and trained mental health counselors, we aim to create a safe environment where kids can express themselves, feel supported, and rediscover their inner strength.
Together, we’re helping the children of Israel address their trauma in real time so that they are not impacted long-term.
MENTAL HEALTH
RELIEF CAMPS
The “Home Away from Home” camp welcomed children affected by conflict to our ITEC Beer Sheva center for a three-day camp. The camp brought together 50 kids from different backgrounds, including Jewish, Druze, Muslim, and Christian communities, for tennis training, fun activities, and a supportive environment where they can connect and unwind.
This program provided the children with a much-needed break from the stress of the war. One parent shared, “When my son got here and played tennis again, his eyes were filled with happiness.”
This year, the expansion of bomb shelters across our centers has become a critical lifeline for children and families, offering not just safety but peace of mind during times of uncertainty. As one parent expressed, “I was afraid to send my kid alone so far from home during the complex situation we are in,” reflecting the real fears many families face but also sharing that ITEC allows her son to connect in-person with friends and gain a routine away from the worries of the war.
Beyond physical protection, these shelters provide children with a much-needed break, allowing them to experience normalcy and do what they love—come to ITEC and play tennis with their friends!
SHELTERS
