Posted on 02/02/2020 5:15:07 PM PST by Twotone
Last summer, two at-risk teens – Or, 18, and Ben, 17 – came to a unique sleepaway camp run by My Piece of the Puzzle, an Israeli nonprofit that integrates youth at risk and youth with special needs.
From day one, these boys were aiming to get kicked out. UNCOVER ISRAEL - Get the ISRAEL21c Weekly Edition free by email Sign Up Now!
“They didn’t follow directions at all, did whatever they wanted and weren’t nice to me or any of the counselors,” cofounder Jenna Elbaz tells ISRAEL21c.
“They made fun of the rules, smoked cigarettes during activities, made fun of the other campers — both youth at risk and youth with special needs. They threatened that if they didn’t get their own room they would leave.”
On the second day their behavior only got worse, so they were asked to leave. “We don’t believe in giving up on anyone, but we felt like they weren’t keeping themselves and the other campers safe,” explains Elbaz.
Before Ben and Or finished packing, a shy low-functioning 14-year-old camper approached. “Tomorrow we have horseback riding. Can you help me get on the horse?” he asked them.
That changed everything. The boys begged Elbaz and cofounder Shaked Karp to give them another chance.
(Excerpt) Read more at israel21c.org ...
Great article. I’ve forwarded this on to my wife who works with at risk kids thru our church.
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