Tzeva operates an after-school Enrichment Center in Migdal Ha'Emek, a town in Northern Israel, which serves 25 children from the 4th-5th grades and provides them with a safe and facilitating framework for positive growth and development. The participants come from financially and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and many of them suffer from language and academic gaps. Children who participate in our program are selected by their schools’ educational staff, without regard to their gender, ethnicity, family status or physical ability. The children selected are those who can most benefit from Tzeva's services. Tzeva children are those who often "fall between the cracks" and who are in dire need of attention and support in order to fulfill their potential and gain the skills needed to lead a responsible and productive life.
The children attend twice-weekly sessions which are divided into two parts. The first hour, dedicated to schoolwork, is conducted in small groups (1-3 children per volunteer) where the volunteer assists them with their assignments and teaches them effective study habits. The second hour is spent on group activities which emphasize the development of social skills, teamwork, and social values such as cooperation, volunteerism and tolerance. After the children go home, the volunteers devote a further half hour to training. During the second quarter of the year, the children take part in a community service project, which they themselves design and implement. The results are that children progress academically and socially, increase their sense of self-worth, and learn the skills they need to live their lives wisely and contribute to the community.
Tzeva is a non-profit organization, established in 1999, which strives to bridge the widening economic and social gaps in Israeli society. Tzeva contributes to a more active society based on values of personal and social responsibility and promotes equal opportunity through education. We believe that each individual has the ability to make a difference and that every child deserves a chance to succeed.
Tzeva invests in the practical education of children and contributes to a more active community by establishing and operating volunteer-led afterschool enrichment centers in public schools and community centers across Israel. Tzeva caters to underprivileged children ages 9-12, who struggle at school and whose parents often suffer from poverty and unemployment and are unable to participate in their children's education and supports them academically and emotionally.
Today, as we mark our 10th anniversary of successful activity, Tzeva has accumulated extensive experience in operating after school study and enrichment centers for children. Together with the JDC Israel, Tzeva decided to focus its services on pre-teenage children, as this age was found to be the period in which a child is most influenced in school, where existing poor learning skills have the greatest chance of being changed, and when children are most receptive to guidance. Currently, Tzeva operates 29 study and enrichment centers which cater to 750 children in more 17 cities throughout Israel (Acco, Tiberius, Afula, Migdal Haemek, Yokneam, and Haifa in the north, Netanya, Herzelia, Petach Tikva, Holon, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the center, and Beer Sheva, Kiryat Malachi, Segav Shalom and Ofakim in the south).
Tzeva strives to bridge the widening economic and social gaps in Israeli society. Based on values of personal and social responsibility through education, we seek to contribute to a more active society.
Our Objectives are:
1. To promote equal opportunities in education and give children a platform for growth and development;
2. To create new learning methods and provide participants with the skills to direct their lives wisely;
3. To increase childrens' sense of self-achievement while emphasizing the development of social skills and raising their self-esteem, and
4. To encourage volunteerism and deepen involvement in Israeli society.
Name of Organization:Tzeva – Youth Building a Future
Number of Paid Staff:19 f/t, 11 p/t
Number of Volunteers:1,000
Total Organizational Expenses:$900,000
% of Organizational Overhead Expenses:16%
Tzeva's program is unique in many ways. First, Tzeva has a very low volunteer to student ratio. This means that children get individualized attention at each session. In fact, at the beginning of each school year, a tailor-made program is designed for each child according to the school's advice and under Tzeva's professional guidance. This program is based on Tzeva's unique educational approach which targets of a child’s problems and difficulties and ensures social, emotional and academic improvement and success.
Tzeva's target group is very unique. Our children are weak students between the ages of 9 and 12, however not the weakest children, who are assisted by other organizations and frameworks, but rather, those who are at risk of "falling between the cracks". They have the ability to advance and reach their full potential, but need support and guidance to realize it. We are a niche organization which helps this under-served and often unnoticed group of children.
In addition, unlike many other after-school centers, Tzeva cooperates fully with the schools it serves, and is in regular consultation with the principals and teachers. Although Tzeva has its own qualified professional staff with experience in education, psychology and social work, we believe that we complement the educational system and are not there to replace it.
Tzeva's children and volunteers represent a cross section of Israeli society. We are unique in that we serve children from many different ethnicities, religions and racial backgrounds. Our children are selected without regard to these categories, as are our volunteers. We operate centers in Jewish and Arab towns, and work with Israeli, Ethiopian, Russian, Bedouin, Muslim and Christian children. Each center receives an equal amount of funding and resources.
Finally, Tzeva's unique volunteer training program clearly sets us apart from other organizations. Tzeva’s volunteers come from different backgrounds, thereby providing diverse role-models for the children. Nevertheless, since most of them do not have a pedagogic-educational background, we provide them with the necessary tools and means to ensure positive and fulfilling volunteering experiences. Our volunteers receive individual and group support from the center’s coordinators and from the organization’s management. By providing this support we seek to ensure the personal and professional development of each of our volunteers.
A letter from Eleanor, Volunteer, Tzeva Center, Haifa:
“Before becoming involved in Tzeva, I really didn't know what to expect. I knew very little about the organization, such as that it provides an afternoon framework for children from low socio-economic backgrounds helping them with their school work. Today, I know that Tzeva is a worthy name not just because of what its initials stand for but because it is an organization showered with color and light.
I have the privilege of portraying such a ray of light for one child; a small ray which shines a smile upon him, shines him with knowledge, shines him with attention and with a sense of belonging, and makes him feel smart, successful and as having potential to fulfill any dream that he aspires to fulfill. Who wouldn't appreciate such a ray of light?”
Orel, Tzeva Center, Herzliya
“For me TZEVA represents a place to meet volunteers, who sit with us, listen to us and simply love us”
Niv, Tzeva Center, Neve Sharet, Tel Aviv
“There are so many hands reaching out for me, even if I fall down, the ground will be soft enough to catch me“.
Hanny, Tzeva Center, Herzliya
“I have learned from you, and it is your generous help that warmed my heart and helped me to improve and do better at school”.
Children
Education
Israel
Peace
Poverty
Self Esteem
Tzeva's program is built on the work of volunteers, and there are many ways for us to carry out our mission. Volunteers (18 years and older) are needed to mentor and tutor the children individually, run group activities within each center, and help organize larger-scale events. Many people who are not able to volunteer at the centers on a regular basis still contribute in unique ways. For example, photographers and web designers offer their services to help with our marketing. There are even people who run marathons wearing Tzeva T-shirts in order to raise awareness for our cause.
In this spirit, there are many ways for youth to get involved with our organization without physically being in the centers and working with our children. North American youth can establish email pen-pal programs with Tzeva centers, thereby forming relationships across the ocean. During visits to Israel, North American children can visit the children at the Tzeva center with whom they become online friends. Youth can also organize tutoring programs in their own schools in the spirit of Tzeva, and become advocates for our cause in their own communities.
Name:Rachel Levkovich
Title:Director of Development
Address:38 Ha’banay St., Holon, Israel 58856
Telephone:972-3-644-2605
Email:racheli@tzeva.org.il
Website:http://www.tzeva.org.il/