How does My Piece of the Puzzle empower children to connect, integrate and grow?
Many children and teenagers grow up feeling excluded, misunderstood, or alone. Young people from broken homes or difficult backgrounds often struggle with behavioural challenges and low self-esteem, while children with special needs can experience deep social isolation. Too often, these vulnerable young people are left feeling like they do not belong.
My Piece of the Puzzle (MPOTP) is changing that by bringing these groups together in a powerful and transformative way. Founded by Jenna Elbaz and Shaked Karp, who both faced challenges in their own teenage years, the organisation helps young people build confidence, friendships, and a sense of purpose through inclusion and shared experiences. Their pioneering gap-year programme pairs young adults with special needs alongside at-risk youth as they prepare together for meaningful army, national, or civilian service through life-skills training, volunteering, and personal development.
MPOTP also runs annual summer camps where children from diverse backgrounds come together for creativity, adventure, and connection. Through activities including sports, music, art, and outdoor experiences, campers build confidence, break down barriers, and form lasting friendships in a safe and supportive environment.
Every story matters
MEET TAL
14-year-old Tal’s father is serving a long prison sentence and his absence has had a hugely unsettling effect. Tal struggles with behavioural issues and low self-esteem and has moved schools five times in three years. His mother was desperate to find somewhere that Tal would ‘fit in’ and MPOTP’s summer camp felt like the perfect option.
For the first few days, Tal made fun of the special needs kids and didn’t want to get involved in any of the activities. He was very stubborn and insular and hardly left his room. But with the encouragement of MPOTP’s staff, he eventually chose to participate and quickly things started to change. He offered to help one of the children with special needs and couldn’t believe how grateful they were to him. It made him feel good so he started helping more and more. He told his camp leaders that he felt like he had failed at everything in life…but seeing how much the children with special needs trusted him had made him feel worth something.
Today, Tal is a regular at MPOTP, adores participating in all the activities, and his leaders know they can count on him to support other children less able.
