Crossroads offers youth-at-risk an alternative to life on the streets and gives them the tools to get their lives back on track.
MEET MIKI
Aaron came to Crossroads who was driven there by his uncle and drove hours to get him
there. He had a bad fallout with his family and was very depressed and suicidal. On the first
night he arrived at the centre he expressed how he was afraid he would act on his
tendencies. Crossroads learnt he regressed socially with no community and no friends. He
started getting support from the people around him at Crossroads and they offered him
therapy. Crossroads were able to connect with his family and the family were able to
provide Crossroads with resources that Aaron would need to improve. Crossroads found an
apartment for him. He started therapy around 9 months ago (actual timing). Today he is
working and in a healthy place. He has support in and out of Crossroads. He has come a long
way. He is functional and is even in Crossroad’s leadership programme which is a testament
to how far he has come. From being alone in the world with almost no support to being fully
functional with support and friends.
WHY CHOOSE CROSSROADS
It will probably come as a surprise to learn that there are hundreds of English-speaking teens living on the streets of Jerusalem. All too often this vulnerable group are mistakenly stereotyped as being part of a wealthy and integrated immigrant community. Left to fend for themselves, they struggle with poverty, addiction, isolation, and neglect.
In 2001, Crossroads was created specifically to help these young people. At night, Crossroads’ team of social workers and volunteers approach youth on the streets. For the first time, these teens discover there are people wanting to help them, and they are offered both immediate assistance and long-term services. Many of them initially struggle to accept help but the Crossroads' team develop bonds of trust until they feel ready to take their first steps to leaving the streets behind forever.
At the Crossroads Centre, they find the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives. They have access to safe shelter, counselling, and a host of recreational activities. They can take part in study and employment opportunities tailored to support their individual needs and develop healthy friendships and a positive outlook.
Crossroads’ teens leave the centre confident, happy, and ready to make a success of their lives.