Resilience for children from disadvantaged homes - partnership with WIZO

Photo by Wizo Israel

Israel Life Saving Federation is proud to have partnered with WIZO to teach a mix of water safety skills and personal resilience to children who escaped the cycle of domestic violence.

Through the partnership, ILSF's Resilience Rescue program, pioneered as an emotional resilience program for children from Israel's Gaza border communities that were massacred and displaced in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, is now being extended to other communities.

The program, adapted to participants in WIZO's "Growing Together with Heads Held High" program, teaches practical life-saving skills with tools to strengthen emotional resilience and build self-confidence. Through activities on the beach and on land, the children participate in teamwork and experience moments of success in a safe and supportive environment.

WIZO's "Growing Together with Heads Held High" communities are support networks for women and their children who have broken free from domestic violence.

Initial programs were held for children ages 6-12 in Herzliya and Hadera, and are due to be expanded over the summer.

Australian Ambassador to Israel Ralph King (center) with ILSF volunteers and WIZO representatives.

The workshop is made possible thanks to the generous support of WIZO Australia, an initiative led by World WIZO President Anat Vidor.

Vidor emphasized: “This initiative exemplifies how WIZO, in partnership with Jewish communities worldwide, expresses our deep commitment to strengthening Israeli society. Thanks to WIZO Australia’s support, we are giving these children an empowering experience that combines personal resilience with Zionist values, reinforcing the unbreakable bond between Israel and the Diaspora.”

The program received support from Australian Ambassador to Israel, Dr. Ralph King, who visited children during activities on the Herzliya beach.

“The 'Growing Together with Heads Held High' communities provide women and their children with the opportunity to build new lives filled with hope and security,” says Hadass Dagan-Bloom, WIZO’s Head of the “Growing Together with Heads Held High” program. “Our partnership with the Israel Life Saving Federation enables these children to enjoy an empowering activity in a natural and safe environment, strengthening their self-confidence while teaching values of responsibility, teamwork, and helping others. Not only are they acquiring crucial skills, but they are also experiencing successes that positively influence their emotional and social development.”

ILSF partnership leader Paul Hakim adds: “Marine activities are a powerful tool for building emotional resilience. At sea, children learn to face challenges in an unfamiliar environment, which fosters adaptability, courage, and confidence. We have seen how children who have experienced trauma begin to open up and thrive through our activities, and that is exactly what we hope to see with these communities as well.”