Hafuch Al Hafuch
Drop-In Centers
Hafuch Al Hafuch is a national network of youth counseling and guidance centers operated by ELEM. Designed as welcoming, café-style spaces, these centers offer teens a relaxed environment where they can connect, play games, share a meal, and receive support from trained social workers.
Each center blends casual social interaction with professional guidance, creating a safe and stigma-free space for young people to talk about their challenges and find help before crises deepen. The program focuses on prevention—offering emotional support, mentorship, and early intervention to reduce risky behaviors such as violence, school dropout, and substance abuse.
A recent study involving 150 participants confirmed that Hafuch centers significantly reduce high-risk behaviors and improve emotional well-being among teens.
Hafuch Al Hafuch currently operates in Ashdod, Holon, Kiryat Shmona, Nof HaGalil, and Tzfat.
Hafuch Al Hafuch serves at-risk youth from across Israeli society—young people coping with emotional distress, social challenges, or family difficulties.
Many struggle to find accessible, nonjudgmental support within their communities.Through conversation, connection, and care, ELEM’s social workers help teens develop coping tools, strengthen self-esteem, and build pathways toward healthier, more positive lifestyles.
What Happens at Hafuch
Each Hafuch center feels more like a neighborhood café than a clinic—a place where youth can drop in, feel safe, and be themselves.
Services include:
Warm, informal spaces with food, games, and social activities
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One-on-one counseling with social workers
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Group sessions focused on communication, resilience, and self-expression
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Mentorship and life skills development
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Early intervention to prevent escalation into crisis or high-risk behavior
By combining warmth with structure, Hafuch centers empower young people to take ownership of their choices and futures.
Reaching the Margins of Israeli Society
Hafuch serves diverse populations of youth from various cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Whether Jewish, Arab, religious, or secular, every young person is welcomed with respect and compassion. By providing accessible support in a language and setting that resonates, Hafuch bridges the gap between at-risk youth and the help they deserve.
Expansion
With your support, ELEM aims to:
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Expand the Hafuch network to reach more at-risk youth across Israel
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Increase the number of trained social workers and youth mentors
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Strengthen program offerings focused on prevention and empowerment
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Continue developing safe, community-based spaces where teens can talk, heal, and grow