Rebuilding hope for northern teens

For adolescents in northern Israel, the war did not end when they returned home.

Many came back to communities still carrying the weight of evacuation, sirens, instability and fear. Schools reopened. Families returned. Streets began to fill again. But beneath the surface, many young people were still navigating anxiety, disrupted friendships, emotional strain and a fragile sense of safety.

The United Israel Appeal (UIA) is raising funds for Youth Recreational and Resilience Centres across northern Israel, aimed at supporting teenagers still affected by the conflict.

“For teenagers who have lived through prolonged crisis, recovery also means having somewhere safe to go. Somewhere structured. Somewhere they feel seen, needed and able to belong again,” UIA CEO Yair Miller said. “This is not just about creating a room with furniture. It is about creating safety, routine and belonging.”

Each centre is designed to provide adolescents with a stable, welcoming and fully equipped space within an existing community centre. Approximately 80 teenagers aged 12-18 will be supported by each centre, giving them a regular place to gather, take part in activities and rebuild their social networks.