יMore than 100 young adults in our programs were called up for reserve duty or are currently serving in the military. Many returned from combat zones without a parent waiting, without a community to hold them, and without a safe place to land.
For these young people, the war did not only create new trauma – it reopened old wounds. Many had already survived childhoods shaped by violence, neglect, or abandonment. The instability of war reactivated familiar feelings of helplessness, this time triggered by missile attacks, sudden mobilization, and prolonged fear.
Many live with complex post-traumatic stress, a condition rooted not in a single event but in years of chronic instability, loss of safety, and unmet emotional needs. From an early age, they learned that they could rely only on themselves. That belief is deeply embedded – physically and emotionally.
During the war, these patterns intensified:
• Chronic insomnia, nightmares, and constant alertness
• A deep sense of isolation and disconnection
• Difficulty asking for help after years of self-reliance
• Emotional or financial collapse even once external conditions appeared to stabilize
For them, war does not end with a ceasefire. It continues internally – stored in memory, in the body, and in emotions – bringing unresolved pain back to the surface.
Our response during the war
In response, we launched an emergency program for young adults – providing both emotional and financial stability for those without family support:
• Personal outreach to hundreds of young adults nationwide
• Emergency financial assistance for food, rent, and basic needs
• Tailored emotional support and resilience groups
• Accessible, informal therapeutic responses—immediate, discreet, and free of bureaucracy or stigma
“While I was serving, movers packed and relocated my apartment without me because there was no one else to handle it. During reserve duty, the loneliness was overwhelming. I lost close friends in the war, including my cousin who was killed on October 7. His death brought back intense fears of abandonment and daily anxiety.”
Chanel, 26
From emergency aid to a national rehabilitation model
What began as an emergency response has grown into a national rehabilitation model built on three integrated pillars:
1. Personal mentoring – a long-term relationship with a stable, caring adult who accompanies each young person over time.
2. Group-based processing – including narrative work, art therapy, and community resilience activities.
3. Individual clinical therapy – provided by professionals specializing in complex trauma.
The program is supported by 14 senior clinicians, all with extensive experience working with young adults who were already living with trauma long before the war.
This is not a temporary relief effort. It is a long-term investment in mental resilience for a population that was already living without a sense of home – and often without visibility or advocacy. The program addresses both the immediate impact of the war and the capacity to cope with future crises.
Looking ahead
The psychological consequences of war do not disappear quickly. We are already seeing increased dropout from education, job loss, and difficulty maintaining daily routines. Our program continues to expand, with one clear goal: to ensure that young adults without family support have a real chance to rebuild their lives – not merely survive.
We invite you to join us in strengthening resilience among Israel’s young adults who began life with fewer resources and are now carrying an overwhelming burden.
Young Adults Program
