In Ari’s 22 years of life she has experienced more than anyone should ever have to live through.
Ari has been placed in more homes and shelters than years she’s been alive. 32 times she was pushed from one place to another, given Ritalin before the age of six to simply numb her instead of treating the root of her trauma from her childhood in one of the toughest neighbourhoods in Jerusalem. Abused in numerous ways by her father and brother she ran away from home when she was 12 and found herself surviving on the streets as a prostitute. It goes without saying that under these circumstances she never finished school and fought through her teenage years being tough and trying to earn respect in the world of street prostitution.
Then something unexpected happened and Ari found refuge in one of the shelters we partner with who saw great potential in this young girl. Knowing about our Initiative 2021-2023 Ari was introduced to us and joined the two-year educational program that will enable her to enter the job market. Ari is on her way to making her dreams come true and for the first time in her life she is experiencing people who believe in her more than she does herself and won’t let her give up on her goals. Despite struggling with dyslexia she is very smart and eager to learn so she can eventually become an actress.