The question is how does one solve a Catch-22 by reaching out to Israel's youth at-risk, who because of their personal situations are often unreachable?

The more at risk you are, the less likely you are to have access to community services and programs.

The answer is Youth Futures, an educational initiative of The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). This new educational project addresses the needs of thousands of Israeli children and youth at risk between the ages of 6 and 18 in a unique way. It provides comprehensive tailored intervention that will enable them to become independent, productive members of society.

At the heart of the program are the Trustees - university students, college graduates, discharged soldiers and youth leaders, who undergo special training to work with a group of 10 to 20 youth at risk. Through organised activities with their groups these mentors build a trusting “big brother/big sister” relationship in order to guide the youth at risk.

The trustees who become a role model to the kid's coordinate all surrounding agencies impacting and shaping the child's life: the school, the welfare services, the community and the family. They begin by taking a note of each child's unique situation. They then develop an action plan to put targeted children in touch with the services they need, they work with the family to improve the situation at home, they coordinate enrichment and educational activities with the schools and plan activities for and with the child so they increase their self-esteem and set goals for a brighter future.

Youth Futures is a collective commitment that infuses Israel's disadvantaged regions with real hope for transformative change and excellence. What began as a bold experiment in 2005 now serves over 6,000 children and youth in 31 locations throughout Israel – bringing them from risk to promise.

UIA-NSW YL division has committed to raise $150,000 a year for “Sedot Negev”/Netivot in the south of Israel

Resettling & strengthening Israel's periphery through social awareness and student villages.

Ayalim was created as a catalyst for growth and an agent of social change to revitalise towns and disadvantaged neighborhoods along Israel's periphery. In the project's framework, university and college students become Israel's new generation of Zionistic pioneers revitalising Israel's less prosperous areas through community volunteer initiatives. It is hoped that students will eventually settle and stake their future in the communities in which they serve.

UIA NSW YL division has committed to raise $50,000 a year for "Ayalim project" in "Yachini" near Sderot, in the south area of Israel.