Initiatives & Projects Economic Development Education Community and Leadership    News “Young Adults Centers” Initiative Begins “A Promising Future” – the first year    Links madarom The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for desert Research JDC- Israel To All Links   Young Adults Centers The Initiative The Need The Goals Expected Outcomes Highlights of the initiative The Initiative Establishment and expansion of the AssistanceCenter for Young People in the Negev; as a platform for personal empowerment and as a means of providing solutions for young people in the Negev. This population finds itself at various decision making crossroads, and is need of an address for a variety topics including: employment, education and training, business initiatives, housing , culture and recreation. The Assistance Center for Young People will provide comprehensive solutions for these needs. A first successful center has already been established in Beersheva by the Beersheva municipality, the Bnai Shimon Regional Council, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Montreal Jewish Community and UIA Canada and in partnership with JDC-Israel. The intention is to expand this initiative, as this is an important element as branding the Negev as a space for young people. Back to top The Need Israeli young people find themselves at decision making crossroads at different points in their lives  “Start-Up”, the guidance and assistance center, established jointly by the Beersheva municipality and the Bnai Shimon Regional Council, provides a multi-dimensional assistance to young people in different areas. The center represents a new approach by the authorities of focused treatment for the younger generation, by giving them the feeling that those dealing with them care, and by ensuring that the center is administered by those young in spirit. In this manner, the center motivates and empowers the young people to stay in the Negev and instills in them a sense of belonging and responsibility. Back to top The Goals Development of services and solutions for young people with and emphasis on education, employment, business initiatives and culture. Instilling a sense of belonging and local pride. Designating the Negev as a place attentive to the younger generation.  Increase the likelihood that young people from the Negev and from outside the Negev will choose to settle there. Back to top Expected Outcomes Branding the Negev as a space for young people which excels in assisting this population.  Increase the percentage of young people from the Negev who choose to remain in the Negev and build their lives there. Increase the percentage of young people from outside the Negev who choose to build their lives in the Negev. Back to top Highlights of the initiative The center for young people will provide solutions in the following areas: Counseling and guidance – testing, meetings with an industrial psychologist, information services, etc. Information regarding education – general information, specific information, personal counseling, subsidized courses, continuing education programs, scholarships, educational fairs. Employment guidance – résumé writing, rehearsing work interviews, collecting data regarding employers, informational meetings, career planning, employment fairs. Business initiatives – guidance, provision of tools and counseling regarding opening a small business or entrepreneurship.  Housing – provision of information and guidance regarding renting an apartment or purchasing an apartment. Back to top