[Lightly edited for privacy, accuracy, and punctuation.]

Jerusalem Post, Up Front, 25 May 2007: “Letters”

Sir, - I commend Larry Derfner for his article “Lost Generation” (Up Front, May 11), which no doubt has heightened public awareness regarding a traditionally overlooked segment of Israeli society: at-risk youth. I also applaud his mention of Elem, one organization reaching out to street kids.

However, I was surprised that he should cite Elem as “the main private organization” in Jerusalem to help this population. In fact, many worthy groups reach out to street kids.

One is the Crossroads Center, located directly across from Kikar Zion, whose staff works alongside, and often in tandem with, Elem representatives. Crossroads targets a specific subset of this population: English-speaking teens—tourists and students abroad, and Israeli citizens—who comprise a growing and troubled population.

While Elem workers remain in Zion Square throughout the night, Crossroads Center social workers and volunteers operate out of Crack Square, which Derfner presents as a hub of street life. Rather than wait for teens to approach them, Crossroads staff members circulate throughout downtown three to four nights each week, actively seeking out teens in bars and alleys. They provide immediate assistance when necessary and inform youth of the long-term assistance Crossroads has to offer.

As a result of our at-night, on-the-streets action, Anglo youth regularly leave the streets to come to the Crossroads Center. There—at rates of 15-60 per day, 150-200 per week, and over 700 per year—they have access to a variety of tools and services with which they can turn their lives around.

Crossroads, Elem, and many other organizations are working to strengthen and empower teens on the streets. All deserve recognition.

ZAHAVA BLUMENTHAL
Development Officer
The Crossroads Center
Jerusalem