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Yeladim - Fair Chance for Children Young Adults Program

Lone soldiers - during and after service

“In my final week in the army, I realized I was about to leave the base with a backpack full of laundry, a little cash in my pocket, and nowhere to go. My friends were heading home. I was completely alone. I called Tamar from Yeladim – and she and Eran were waiting for me at the station. That’s when I understood I wasn’t really alone.”

Talia, 23

For most young people in Israel, military or national service is demanding – but they’re also supported by family.
There are parents who call, send care packages, and ask how the weekend on base was. There is a home to return to when things get hard.
For young people who grew up in residential care or foster families, the reality is very different.
They begin their service without family support, without a room to return to, and without anyone to remind them to renew a transit card or attend a graduation ceremony.
Many carry not only a military backpack, but years of growing up without consistent support.
Then comes discharge.
While others return home and plan their next steps, these young adults face rent, bills, bureaucracy – on their own and without anyone to talk to.

This is where we step in.

Our Support

We accompany hundreds of young adults without family support during military or national service and after discharge – so they don’t have to walk this path alone.
Support is personal and ongoing, combining emotional and practical help – from service through the transition to independent life.
The program operates in partnership with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Welfare, and additional partners.
Thanks to this close support, 95% of participants complete full military or national service.
But the real impact goes beyond numbers: young people who grew up without parents become stable adults, committed parents, and active members of society – breaking cycles of hardship and beginning a new chapter.

What the Program Includes

Personal, ongoing support

a trusted adult presence from the service period onward

Support after discharge

help with housing, financial assistance, emotional support, education and employment pathways

A real community

shared holidays, gatherings, and lasting connections

Preparation for independent life

financial skills, time management, navigating bureaucracy, and setting goals for the future

“After my discharge, I was eating once a day and sleeping on a friend’s couch because I had no money. Yeladim helped me find an apartment, provided food vouchers, and even bought me a real bed. Only once I had a stable base could I start studying and working. Today, I have a life.”

Shai, 24

Help Us Be There for Those Who Have Nowhere to Return To

Behind every lone soldier who grew up in residential care is a story of resilience, determination, and courage.
But even the strongest people sometimes need someone to truly look after them.
Your support allows us to continue standing beside these young adults - during service and after - with emotional, financial, and social support that gives them a real chance at a stable future.
We need you.

Donate

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