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.

Through structured programs in sport, culture, arts, music and outdoor challenges, young people are given the chance to reconnect, express themselves and regain a sense of confidence. Through skills-building workshops, they develop communication, teamwork and decision-making. Through guided emotional support delivered by trained staff, they are given tools to process what they have lived through.

“One of the most powerful parts of the project is its focus on youth leadership,” Miller said. “The centres give teenagers opportunities to lead community initiatives, volunteer, support others and take responsibility for projects that strengthen social cohesion … This is how resilience is built. Not by telling young people to be strong, but by giving them the structure, support and confidence to become strong.”

One teenage resident, Noam, shared that the youth centre was the place where he felt seen, heard and cared for. It taught him sensitivity, responsibility, teamwork and leadership. During Operation Lion’s Roar, those lessons became urgent, as young people helped pack supplies, support younger children and create small moments of light during evacuation.

“In a world that can feel chaotic and out of control, the youth centre is the place where we create the rules. It is our safe place,” Noam said.

Donate now to UIA’s EOFY campaign: uiaaustralia.org.au/donate