Families First

Poverty is many-faceted issue that adversely affects individuals, families, communities and society as a whole; breaking out is extremely difficult and requires a multi-dimensional effort. Even when families living in poverty have the motivation to change their situation, their limited access to critical resources often prevents them from doing so.

The Families First Initiative (“Noshmim L’Revacha”) began as a pilot program of the Ministry of Social Services, Rashi and JDC Israel, aiming to fundamentally change the social services approach to poverty. A social worker and mentor work closely together with each family to build an intervention plan taking into account every aspect of life – finances, work, education, health, and so on – and provide tools that allow the family to minimize its dependence on welfare services and to become self-sufficient.

“Power Centers” operating in the initiative’s locales offer additional services to program participants and other people in financial distress. These include workshops and individual guidance in areas such as pre-employment preparation, realizing rights, managing the household budget, and more.

The initiative is currently implemented in more than 100 communities across the country, serving some 3,000 families per year, in addition to 12,000 Power Center beneficiaries. While the Ministry of Social Services took responsibility for the operation in 2019, Rashi continued to develop the IT system we designed to enable data-based management, handing it over during 2024.

Soldiers’ Families First is a spin-off program targeting families with a son in the army whose performance is affected the family’s financial difficulties. By helping the family, the program helps the young man focus on his military service and earn an honorable discharge, which significantly improves his chances of social-economic mobility.

Partners

Government | Philanthropy

Operating body

Yahdav Association | Northern Goals Association