Hadas and Yehuda’s Story – Youth at Risk

“I wish every community in Israel could have Youth Futures, because when one child is given hope, it doesn’t only change that child. It transforms a family, a school, and a future.”

-Hadas, whose son Yehuda receives support through the Youth Futures program

A Mother’s Perspective 

Hadas is the head teacher of 600 children, both religious and secular, and a mother of five. She moved from Jerusalem to Beit Shemesh when she was nine years old, and her mother still lives close by. For Hadas, Beit Shemesh is both her community and her home. After more than a decade in London, Hadas and her husband Amos returned to Israel seven years ago with their family. Their third child, Yehuda, was five at the time. In London, he was about to start Year One, but in Israel, he was placed back in kindergarten. Yehuda felt older, misplaced, and deeply unhappy.

A Child in Crisis 

To make matters worse, Yehuda experienced violence from a kindergarten teacher. His parents immediately removed him from that environment, but the trauma left an indelible mark on a child who was already feeling vulnerable. When Yehuda began Year One, he still wasn’t himself. Then COVID hit. 

A child already struggling suddenly found himself behind a screen, isolated and lost. His parents tried everything from psychologists and therapists to medication, even moving him to three different schools, including Hadas’s own. Nothing seemed to work. As Yehuda’s anxiety deepened, Hadas and Amos feared the school system could no longer support him. Then came the war. Yehuda was terrified and refused to leave the sheltered room. The trauma of October 7 only intensified his fear and anxiety.

Finding Hope Through Youth Futures 

That’s when one of the Youth Futures mentors approached Hadas and told her about the program. Youth Futures is a national initiative that provides at-risk children and their families with consistent, long-term mentoring and support. Hadas immediately agreed to sign up Yehuda. From the very first meeting, something began to change. The mentor didn’t just meet Yehuda; he saw him. 

They met several times a week, talking, playing, and walking together. Slowly, Yehuda began to open up. He started making real friends for the first time in years. He became more confident, emotionally open, and began to succeed academically. Today, Yehuda reads fluently (something he struggled with prior), goes to school willingly, and smiles once more.

A Bridge Between Fear and Hope 

Yehuda’s mentor became a bridge between home and school, between fear and hope. That bridge changed everything for Yehuda and his family. As a head teacher, Hadas now sees Youth Futures from both sides: as an educator and as a parent. Since the war, she has witnessed the growing emotional challenges among children coping with loss, instability, and anxiety. Teachers do their best, but resources are limited, and the need is overwhelming. 

Hadas believes deeply in Youth Futures. The program gives children what the formal education system cannot: someone who believes in them, walks beside them, and helps them rediscover their strength.

Hadas thanks UIA’s supporters

Supporting Israel’s Most Vulnerable Children 

Through UIA’s support, Youth Futures provides at-risk children and their families across Israel with long-term mentoring, guidance, and emotional support. Each child is paired with a dedicated mentor who helps them navigate challenges, build confidence, and rediscover their strengths, helping to transform lives and build futures.

Learn more about Youth Futures and how UIA is providing tailored interventions for at-risk youth in Israel.