06/23/2021
Israeli Family Finds Support Through Youth Futures
- Share This Story
Harel* is the youngest of four children and lives in the Valley of Springs, Cleveland's sister community in Israel. He is in his second year of Youth Futures, a Federation-supported program that provides community-based mentoring for youth in Israel.
His mother works full time, and his father is an official in the military and frequently away from home. Harel’s mother feels stressed taking care of the family alone, and Harel does not always get the attention he needs.
Harel’s Youth Futures mentor saw how much he craved a stronger relationship with his father, so she spoke to Harel’s father about the importance of prioritizing one-on-one time with his children. She also worked with Harel’s father to be more supportive and encouraging of Harel. The mentor created personalized activities for Harel and his father to do together to help strengthen their bond and improve their communication skills. One activity included painting portraits of one another and including all of the qualities they admire in each other. This activity helped bring them closer together. They have also found hobbies to do together that they both enjoy, including exercise and physical challenges.
Harel’s father says, “This process with the mentor helped me be more open with Harel, and I now have the tools to maintain a good relationship with my son and with my other children. I plan to complete my job with the military at the end of the year and I hope to spend more time at home with my children.”
You make stories like this possible because of your support to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland's annual Campaign.
*Name changed to protect identity of individual.
