> "Turning Point" initiative -
a project designed to make
a positive contribution to the community |
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The First International Bank of Israel (FIBI) has launched the "Turning Point" initiative - a project designed to make a positive, significant and long-term contribution to the wider community, for a period of three years with an option to extend for one or two more years.
After extensive consideration of several worthy causes, FIBI has made a commitment to at-risk youth - young people who are marginalized from normative social frameworks, who lack the skills and self-confidence to create for themselves a positive and productive life. The Turning Point project provides these youths with the crucial opportunity to change their life course, and to return to the folds of Israeli society with the promise of an optimistic future.
During the Turning Point project, at-risk youth create business initiatives, through a combination of school studies, work experience and practical training. The program encourages the development of skills and qualifications that give the youth an opportunity to regain self-confidence in their ability to learn, to work, to contribute and, ultimately, to succeed. As their confidence grows, so does their chance at achieving a positive and productive focus, and of returning to their peer group in mainstream society. The skills acquired by participants in the Turning Point project will also help to put a stop to the downward spiral that has defined the course of their teenage years. FIBI's strong reputation and extensive experience in the successful initiation and guidance of business ventures makes it a very suitable candidate for the administration and financing of this important project.
Turning Point was developed in cooperation with Matan, a non-profit organization that connects community and business, and Ashalim (in association with the Joint Distribution Committee), which specializes in the treatment of at-risk youth.
The project requires funding of NIS 20 million over the next five years. Each year, FIBI will launch 15 ventures, and provide extra financial support to seven existing ventures. In total, we expect to develop 90 new ventures that will provide the turning point for 2,000 at-risk youth, in a wide geographical area with close proximity to FIBI branches. In this way, we will maximize the efficiency of the program by actively involving the FIBI staff and encouraging involvement with the community at large.
The new behavioral patterns, skills and capabilities that participants will acquire during the course of the program will contribute to a real turning point in the lives of at-risk youth. These positive and lasting changes will promote the Turning Point project in the community and help to ensure the reputation and future success of the program.
During the development stages of the program, we consulted with focus groups of bank employees and clients to learn of their responses to the initiative.
The reactions were very encouraging.
Employees' responses
"It touches each and every one of us. I feel connected."
"It gives these kids the tools they need to succeed in the future."
Employees' responses to the question: How can we connect employees and clients for the benefit of the project?
"Post signs about the project in the branches."
"Employees will naturally spread the word that they love the project and identify with it. In staff courses, show a film or presentation about the project."
Clients' responses
"This approach to at-risk youth is excellent. The problem affects us all as a society."
"The project is very moving. I see only a positive outcome as a result."
FIBI is the proud partner of several initiatives, among them:
- Wings of Love - Kfar Menachem - A hostel for marginalized, at-risk youth aged 15-18 years. The program is possibly the last chance for these youths to experience a lifestyle that is open and nurturing. Participants operate an ecological park, working at a petting zoo and breeding farm for unique species of birds.
To view the PDF, click here.
- BizCamp - Day camps that provide an intensive program in entrepreneurship. Camps are conducted three to four times a year for groups of 20-30 teenagers.
To view the PDF, click here.
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