November 25, 2009
Captivated by the incredible work undertaken by the projects supported by myisrael, Paul and Rianna Roston, father and daughter alike, came to Israel a few months ahead of Rianna’s Bat Mitzvah, so that she could see first hand the plight of those less fortunate than herself. During a seven day visit, Paul and Rianna visited 12 of the projects supported by myisrael.One of the projects they were particularly touched by was the Crossroads Centre in Jerusalem, which is a drop in centre that provides social welfare services for English speaking youth at risk in Jerusalem. On the last day of their trip, a few hours before they were to make their way to the airport, Paul noticed a furniture shop on Hertzl Street in Tel Aviv, with a bright red, funky sofa in the window. He immediately thought of Crossroads as the sofas that were at the Centre were so old and weathered.
He called Danielle Franks, founder of myisrael, to ask if he could buy the sofa on the spot, but after consulting with Caryn Green, founder and director of Crossroads, it was agreed that they would instead donate the same amount of money, for Crossroads to choose something most suitable for them. Due to Paul's donation, which was topped up by funds from myisrael’s general fund, Crossroads was able to buy a whole new lounge set and it has totally changed the whole look and feel of the place.
Commenting, Rianna Roston, aged 12, said: “Visiting the Crossroads Centre in Jerusalem earlier this year, we saw the state of the old couches that the kids were using and had a vision – brand new bright red couches that would breathe a breath of fresh air into the place; Seeing the pictures of the teenagers sitting on the new sofas is so rewarding for me and my dad and hearing from Caryn Green about how they have made such a difference to the place is fantastic.”
Caryn Green, the Director of Crossroads said: “Crossroads offers hope to teenagers in trouble and the ability to show them that they can turn their lives around. It is an amazing thing to see what it means to these kids just to experience a little success.“The couches have simply breathed new life into the Centre. Everyday since receiving them, kids walk in and exclaim how amazing they are and how happy it is and how great the colour is. The couches have transformed the kids' recreation room into a cool, happening, happy place that teens feel great about-just as the Roston’s had envisioned.”
Crossroads has received funding from myisrael to run their employment centre where its teenagers are counselled through the entire job search process, from career advice and research to writing a CV, filling out application forms and preparing for an interview. The Centre also offers pre-vocational skills training, drop-in hours for hands on help, case management of street/school to job acquisition, mentoring placements, community employment opportunities, to a pilot program for paid internships. Crossroads has received funds only for set-up costs and is aiming to raise enough money to fund its first year of operation. Publication quality photographs of before and after shots of the Centre’s couches are available via Emma Kane, via the contact details shown below.
ENDS
Press Enquiries to: Emma Kane email: ek@redleafpr.com
Trustee, myisrael tel: 020 7566 6700
Website: http://www.myisraelcharity.org/
Notes to Editors:
myisrael is a UK registered charity which facilitates direct donations from the UK to a number of carefully selected grassroots charities in Israel Each project that myisrael supports operates with low administration costs on an annual budget of under £500,000 myisrael is able to source appropriate schemes not currently represented by the charity, for larger donors (10k+) who wish to donate to a project within a specific fieldmyisrael, founded by Danielle Franks, was launched in March 2008 and relies solely on privately raised funds to undertake its objectives.
Every single penny of each donation directly contributes to allocated charities and not-for-profit projects in Israel – myisrael's administrative costs are covered by separate, dedicated donationsDonors and individual fundraisers can decide exactly where to direct their contribution from the range of charities and projects that myisrael supports.
Donors and individual fundraisers can also choose to contribute to the myisrael general fund, which will be allocated quarterly by the Board of Trustees to those projects deemed most in need.
About the Crossroads Centre:The number of at-risk teenagers in Israel is increasing every year. Many of them fall through the cracks and end up on the streets, become disenfranchised, or just lose their direction. Crossroads provides that crucial helping hand that these kids need to help them find the right path.
The Crossroads Centre shows its teenagers that there are opportunities available and a place to come to receive the support and services needed, including counselling, tutoring, pre-vocational training, rehabilitative social activities, and access to a library, computers and a staff of devoted and caring social workers who manage these teens on a case by case basis.
Their goal is to provide that combination of hope, skill, and determination that becomes a turning point for these teens, helping them move towards a more fulfilling and independent future. Each year new programmes are initiated to further these goals and to help more teenagers.
Captivated by the incredible work undertaken by the projects supported by myisrael, Paul and Rianna Roston, father and daughter alike, came to Israel a few months ahead of Rianna’s Bat Mitzvah, so that she could see first hand the plight of those less fortunate than herself. During a seven day visit, Paul and Rianna visited 12 of the projects supported by myisrael.One of the projects they were particularly touched by was the Crossroads Centre in Jerusalem, which is a drop in centre that provides social welfare services for English speaking youth at risk in Jerusalem. On the last day of their trip, a few hours before they were to make their way to the airport, Paul noticed a furniture shop on Hertzl Street in Tel Aviv, with a bright red, funky sofa in the window. He immediately thought of Crossroads as the sofas that were at the Centre were so old and weathered.
He called Danielle Franks, founder of myisrael, to ask if he could buy the sofa on the spot, but after consulting with Caryn Green, founder and director of Crossroads, it was agreed that they would instead donate the same amount of money, for Crossroads to choose something most suitable for them. Due to Paul's donation, which was topped up by funds from myisrael’s general fund, Crossroads was able to buy a whole new lounge set and it has totally changed the whole look and feel of the place.
Commenting, Rianna Roston, aged 12, said: “Visiting the Crossroads Centre in Jerusalem earlier this year, we saw the state of the old couches that the kids were using and had a vision – brand new bright red couches that would breathe a breath of fresh air into the place; Seeing the pictures of the teenagers sitting on the new sofas is so rewarding for me and my dad and hearing from Caryn Green about how they have made such a difference to the place is fantastic.”
Caryn Green, the Director of Crossroads said: “Crossroads offers hope to teenagers in trouble and the ability to show them that they can turn their lives around. It is an amazing thing to see what it means to these kids just to experience a little success.“The couches have simply breathed new life into the Centre. Everyday since receiving them, kids walk in and exclaim how amazing they are and how happy it is and how great the colour is. The couches have transformed the kids' recreation room into a cool, happening, happy place that teens feel great about-just as the Roston’s had envisioned.”
Crossroads has received funding from myisrael to run their employment centre where its teenagers are counselled through the entire job search process, from career advice and research to writing a CV, filling out application forms and preparing for an interview. The Centre also offers pre-vocational skills training, drop-in hours for hands on help, case management of street/school to job acquisition, mentoring placements, community employment opportunities, to a pilot program for paid internships. Crossroads has received funds only for set-up costs and is aiming to raise enough money to fund its first year of operation. Publication quality photographs of before and after shots of the Centre’s couches are available via Emma Kane, via the contact details shown below.
ENDS
Press Enquiries to: Emma Kane email: ek@redleafpr.com
Trustee, myisrael tel: 020 7566 6700
Website: http://www.myisraelcharity.org/
Notes to Editors:
myisrael is a UK registered charity which facilitates direct donations from the UK to a number of carefully selected grassroots charities in Israel Each project that myisrael supports operates with low administration costs on an annual budget of under £500,000 myisrael is able to source appropriate schemes not currently represented by the charity, for larger donors (10k+) who wish to donate to a project within a specific fieldmyisrael, founded by Danielle Franks, was launched in March 2008 and relies solely on privately raised funds to undertake its objectives.
Every single penny of each donation directly contributes to allocated charities and not-for-profit projects in Israel – myisrael's administrative costs are covered by separate, dedicated donationsDonors and individual fundraisers can decide exactly where to direct their contribution from the range of charities and projects that myisrael supports.
Donors and individual fundraisers can also choose to contribute to the myisrael general fund, which will be allocated quarterly by the Board of Trustees to those projects deemed most in need.
About the Crossroads Centre:The number of at-risk teenagers in Israel is increasing every year. Many of them fall through the cracks and end up on the streets, become disenfranchised, or just lose their direction. Crossroads provides that crucial helping hand that these kids need to help them find the right path.
The Crossroads Centre shows its teenagers that there are opportunities available and a place to come to receive the support and services needed, including counselling, tutoring, pre-vocational training, rehabilitative social activities, and access to a library, computers and a staff of devoted and caring social workers who manage these teens on a case by case basis.
Their goal is to provide that combination of hope, skill, and determination that becomes a turning point for these teens, helping them move towards a more fulfilling and independent future. Each year new programmes are initiated to further these goals and to help more teenagers.
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