Tel Aviv Youth Center Offers Safe Night Space to At-Risk Teens on Beach Promenade
In Tel Aviv's Trumpeldor Beach, a youth center operates nightly during summer to provide a safe, welcoming space for at-risk teenagers who often roam the streets. Managed by Yitzhak Younian, a 35-year-old social worker, the center is one of eight funded by Israel's Ministry of Welfare under a national program for vulnerable youth. The center offers free snacks, drinks like raspberry juice, board games, and most importantly, attentive youth counselors who engage teens in conversation and build trust.
Younian emphasizes the center's nonjudgmental approach, explaining that the goal is simply to be present where the teens naturally gather, without pressuring them. Many teens initially hesitate but often return, some staying quietly while others open up about personal issues such as relationships, smoking, or school challenges. Social worker Hadar Cohen notes that even small moments of sharing or simply being present without conflict or alcohol consumption are considered successes.
The center also serves as a bridge to official welfare services when needed. Recently, staff identified a distressed teen who initially avoided entering but later accepted help after trust was established. The program aims to intervene early, preventing escalation to crises involving substance abuse or violence.
Ila Meir, director of the national "360" program for at-risk youth, stresses the importance of meeting teens "at eye level" with genuine listening and without judgment. The youth center sees a diverse group from various backgrounds and ages, with older teens arriving later at night. Staff observe increasing substance use and social difficulties among youth compared to previous years, reflecting broader societal challenges. While smoking and drinking are prohibited inside, rules are enforced with understanding and respect.
This initiative represents a proactive effort by Tel Aviv municipality and the Ministry of Welfare to create a supportive environment that addresses the complex needs of vulnerable youth before problems worsen.
