Amanina Building Volunteering and Social Engagement Infrastructures for Arab Youth

Arab communities in Israel, already vulnerable due to the violent crime epidemics and socio-economic gaps, have been deeply affected by the ongoing conflict. The situation is considered particularly traumatizing for Arab youth. Despite these challenges, Amanina Association has continued and expanded its efforts to engage young people in volunteer activities. Through meaningful opportunities and consistent engagement, the organization fosters a sense of belonging and agency, allowing youth to take an active role in strengthening their communities resilience.

Amanina Association is a youth organization founded in 2014 in Umm al-Fahm, initially as a small-scale initiative to provide alternative activities for young people and engage them in meaningful volunteering in children’s wards in hospitals. Over time, the organization significantly expanded, driven by growing awareness of the link between youth who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and rising crime rates. Amanina operates on the understanding that fostering a sense of belonging through volunteering can play a crucial role in preventing these issues by integrating youth into their communities.

The organization’s approach is rooted in the belief that the sustainability of volunteering infrastructure and engagement depends on consistency and relationship-building between counselors and youth. Each cohort consists of 250 volunteers nationally, with around 500-600 participants engaged in the Alumni network. Teen participants, particularly in areas like Wadi Ara, meet twice a week, fostering a deep connection with their communities. Volunteers participate in regular activities like team-building exercises, tours, hikes, and Listening Circles, where they share and reflect on their experiences. During the first months after the war outbreak, Amanina recruited several psychologists to address the challenges the Arab young volunteers encountered.

Currently, Amanina offers a range of programs aimed at both supporting the community and empowering volunteers in 30 Arab localities. Their programs are designed to meet the needs of at-risk youth, teens, and elderly populations by offering informal education, cultural activities, intergenerational encounters and recreational opportunities.

Programs for elderly and people with disabilities include weekly home visits, digital literacy course, and intergenerational cultural programs that reach out to 1600 elderly participants in Arab communities.

“Success Stories” program brings local role models to inspire the youth in high schools. Since December 2023, Amanina has reached over 4,500 students in 19 schools through lectures and workshops, equipping children with role models and vision for the future.These efforts are conducted in partnership with local authorities, the Ministry of Education, and NGOs to reduce social disparities, particularly in underserved regions like the North and Triangle Area.

Following the outbreak of the war, Amanina’s activities saw a significant boost. In times of war there are urgent problems that require immediate assistance, especially for the elderly, children and people with disabilities. It is of crucial importance to provide a unique and culturally adapted response to the Arab society, taking into account the needs of language and culture. Their immediate response included distributing 800 emergency aid kits and 3000 food baskets in October and November, as well as ramping up mental health support initiatives. This expansion included partnering with Ministries of Welfare and Education, Authority for Economic Development and Maana at the Nazareth Hospital, to extend services, such as the mental health awareness campaign in Umm al-Fahm, and providing professional support to staff and communities affected by the war.

During the Ramadan Month Project in the shadow of the war, Amanina volunteers continued their work with communities through visits, informal education activities, and meetings, serving as support and empowerment in Arab society. Amanina’s Ramadan Week Campaign illustrates the trust it has built within the community. During this campaign, the organization raised over NIS 1 million, which was directed toward sustaining and expanding its programs.