Special programs are designed to address the specific needs of our members as they grow into their teens, and the needs of the growing number of members who join Tuvia as adolescents in need of out-of-home placement.
The Adolescents Home: The teens of the Tuvia Community, aged 15 -18, live in Adolescents Home designed to answer the specific needs of their age. Life in the Adolescents' Home is designed to feel as close as possible to life in a family home, and is very different from the usual image of a residential facility. The daily schedule includes a “morning circle" in which residents gather to sing and to discuss the coming day's events; of individual therapy sessions and extra-curricular activities in the afternoons and joint evening activities. On Friday evenings, a festive cultural event culminates each week, while Saturdays are devoted to rest and creative activities.
Pre-Professional Training: Over the years, we have discovered the overpowering importance of Pre-Professional Training as a way to develop responsibility, initiative, social skills, and internal discipline. We offer specific vocational programs in arts, woodworking, sculpture, jewelry making, photography, construction and fashion design. In the near future we intend to open a training program for the culinary arts based at Kamah's new professionally equipped kitchen. Some teens are integrated into workplaces in the Kibbutz, in the organic vegetable farm, the local restaurant or the complementary educational system. All activities are fully supported by professionals in the various fields and by counselors.
The Life Skills Workshop: The workshop is held with the goal of preparing the teens for various situations they might face in the future. It is facilitated by social workers and counselors and includes single-sex and mixed discussion circles, lectures on various topics, and role playing exercises emphasizing non-violent communication, getting to know the opposite sex, and coping with crises. In addition, students learn about basic financial conduct, opening a bank account, using public transportation and setting and achieving personal goals.
Graduates Program: The Tuvia Community has developed a unique program providing individual support for its graduates, aged 19-21, who are performing their military or national service. High school graduates, who lack stable family support, are provided with residential units in the kibbutz, where they spend their weekends and holydays. A social worker assists them and is in constant contact with army commanders, employers and social service agencies.
As we celebrate the Adolescents' Home 10th anniversary, we are proud of our encouraging statistics:
* All our teens completed 12 years of schooling and sit for either full or partial matriculation exams.
* Most of our teens were inducted into the Israel Defense Forces or perform National Service
Dr. Anita Weiner, of the University of Haifa, conducted a study in collaboration with the Tuvia Community staff. The findings show that the Tuvia Community has made extremely outstanding contributions to its graduates’ welfare, emotional and social development. Graduates presented self-confidence, optimism, and work ethic which will serve them as they enter the work force or proceed to collage.
Future Plans: With the generous support of the Israeli National Insurance Fund, construction is planned for another building for teens and graduates. The new house will enable us to answer the ongoing demand to accept new members in need of out-of-home placement, and to provide accommodation and support for our graduates.
