The “Road to Success” Program
Preparation for Military of National Civilian Volunteer Service for Young Women at-Risk
“Without the support of the program coordinator, I would never have made it. There were times I didn’t want to go on, I couldn’t even talk, but the coordinator was always there beside me, she continued to reach out to me, to show her interest and belief in me and that someone really cared. I don’t have parents like others do that can help me find my way in lie. The coordinator for me is everything…" (G."Young women at-risk" Program graduate)
Rational
The Road to Success program acts to provide equal opportunities for its participants. Sherut leumi or IDF service is a critical stage in the life of young adults in Israel, and is a pivotal factor in their sense of belonging to mainstream society. Completion of either service not only is paramount to social acceptance, it also opens many doors in the future in terms of access to services and financial support, such as mortgages, scholarships, employment, and more.
Bat-Ami seeks to enable young women from at-risk background to actualize their maximum potential and to this aim we developed the Road to Success as a preparatory program that empowers the individual, enables her to tap into her potential, develop a sense of personal competence and acquire formal vocational training. In 2014, against all odds and predictions, 180 young women at-risk served their country via sherut leumi or the IDF, as a result of successfully completing the Road to Success program.
Program Description
The program duration is 9 months, during which time participants are engaged in studies and practical training recognized at the conclusion of which they are awarded a certificate that can serve them in sherut leumi/ the IDF, and later on life, as well, should they elect to continue working in the field they studied. The training programs are varied and include: administration, confection baking, medical/legal secretarial work, and computer graphics. Participants also attend enrichment activities overseen by a social worker to enhance social skills in preparation for their upcoming service program.
Program Partners
The Ministry of Social Services, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, the Special Projects Fund of the National Insurance Institute (bituach leumi), Partnership2together Chicago-Kiryat Gat, the ORT and AMAL educational networks.
