Wherever he was, Tom wished he were somewhere different. Though only in seventh grade, his difficult family life left him emotionally withdrawn and underachieving in school.

He seemed a perfect candidate for School with a Heart—Yuval, a school program for troubled youths in Haifa funded in part by Federation partner JDC. In a safe, relaxed environment, Tom was able to build a relationship with his coordinator and receive personalized support.

With their help, after only one year in the program, Tom gained enough self-confidence to play a leading role in the school’s end-of-year program in front of the entire student body, visiting dignitaries and even the mayor of Haifa.