From Summer Break to New Beginnings: WIZO Women’s Communities Reopen with Hope and Strength

“For the first time in years, I could see my children enjoying something I couldn’t give them. It gave me renewed strength and hope that everything is possible and dreams can come true,” shared A., a participant in WIZO’s “Safety Net” program.

August 2025 marked a continuation of WIZO’s efforts to support women survivors of violence and their children. The month began with a three-day family retreat in Tiberias, bringing together 59 women and 105 children from communities in Nahariya, Karmiel, Kiryat Yam, and Sderot—areas heavily affected by the October 2023 war. Thanks to a generous donation from JNF, families stayed at the Leonardo Club Hotel and experienced a pause from daily struggles, trauma, and uncertainty.

The retreat offered more than a vacation: it provided a healing experience, a sense of belonging, and equality, leaving lasting impressions on both mothers and children. One particularly moving moment occurred when a child, who had repeatedly told his mother he didn’t believe they were going to a hotel, finally saw it upon arrival—creating a corrective, joyful experience after years of disappointment.

“I am so grateful to all the staff who cared for each of us, providing even a moment of peace amid the challenges we live with,” wrote another participant. From poolside fun to children forming instant friendships, the retreat radiated support and warmth.

Continuing the Summer: August Activities

After the retreat, WIZO maintained the momentum of support through summer activities across communities, ensuring families remained engaged and children experienced joy and growth:

• Cinema outings with popcorn and drinks for all families.
• Beach activities in Kiryat Yam, Haifa, Hadera, Herzliya, and Sderot with the “Yam Rescue Guardians” organization, emphasizing personal safety while helping children confront fears, process past traumas, and gain confidence.
• Local events included guided trips to the Springs Valley (Kiryat Yam), cooking workshops (Ramat Gan), summer pool activities (Karmiel), and family programs at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel Country Club (Jerusalem).
• Teen-focused sessions in Herzliya engaged older teens in discussions about social challenges and personal risk factors, aiming to create ongoing communication channels for adolescents in the program.

Parents and children shared heartfelt gratitude:

“Even as a mother, you made my daughters’ dreams come true. The children were thrilled—smiles from ear to ear!”
“My daughter experienced a healing moment with the sea. She was scared at first, and then suddenly she was surfing!”
“Thank you, WIZO. This summer was amazing—from the hotel, the activities, the treats, everything. You made us feel like family.”

A Comprehensive Support System

At the heart of these moments is WIZO’s “Safety Net – Be’Rosh Moram” program, a pioneering initiative that provides a full support system for women and children emerging from cycles of violence. Active in 11 communities nationwide, the program supports around 170 women and 200 children through long-term rehabilitation toward independent, self-sufficient lives.

“Meeting WIZO staff in the community gave me the push to leave the house, find work, and rebuild. They became a warm family for me and my children. Through WIZO courses, I rediscovered my own strength and potential,” shared one participant.

The program provides emotional guidance, legal counseling, food vouchers, empowerment workshops, vocational training, and child support—all tailored to each woman’s needs. Most importantly, participants never feel alone: the communities themselves become supportive families, a reliable safety net.

Expanding Impact Through Partnerships

This year, WIZO expanded the program’s reach through two key partnerships:

1. Livnat Poran – helping women navigate healthcare and social security rights, enabling them to secure monthly incomes, disability allowances, and other entitlements.
2. Leket Israel – providing interactive nutrition workshops led by professional dietitians to empower women with healthy, accessible, family-friendly meals.

Returning to Routine

As August concludes, WIZO’s regular programs and workshops are reopening—not only for the “Safety Net” communities but for all WIZO women’s communities, both long-standing and new. Women are returning to their normal routines with renewed energy and hope, carrying forward the confidence, skills, and connections they built over the summer.

WIZO’s approach goes beyond protection—it’s about rehabilitation, empowerment, and sustainable community support, helping women rebuild lives, hold homes, pursue dreams, and live safely and independently.