A New Dawn in the Negev: Youth at-Risk Employment Training P...
A New Dawn in the Negev: Youth at-Risk Employment Training Program
Israel’s Bedouin have one of the highest natural growth rates in the world; their population doubles every 15 years. Bedouin youth, who comprise over 60% of Rahat's population, represent a peripheral group (youth) within a peripheral group (Bedouin) within a peripheral group (poor) within Israeli society. Due to the dire socio-economic situation of the Bedouin, the youth receive very little practical support from their community. Additionally, the older generation continues to grapple with the rapid and forced transition from a traditional nomadic lifestyle to that of the urban poor. Such marginality comes with tremendous struggles, and, unfortunately, the crime rate amongst the Bedouin in the Negev is one of the highest in Israel.
In 2012 A New Dawn in the Negev developed A Secure Future to directly address the urgent and pressing needs of Bedouin youth. One of the organization's most successful programs to date, this project directs youth 15-18 years of age towards empowering opportunities for growth, through long-term employment training. Training is provided in computer literacy, business computing, smartphone repair, as well as in entry level training for medical careers. Essential soft skills are also emphasized, such as professional level Hebrew, presentation skills, and public speaking to improve their confidence and sense of professionalism.
Not only do participants learn essential skills and tools for integrating into the Israeli workforce, they also learn the power of making educated and empowered decisions about their own future. Throughout the course of the program they become aware that they can, and should, act as independent agents in their own lives, forging their own destinies, turning away from the many negative choices surrounding them and choosing a bright and positive future.
According to our evaluations, 50-70% of program graduates are enrolled in further education, and are on a path to successfully integrating into Israeli society. Over 200 youths have participated in this program over the past three years.