A simple sheet of paper divided into eight squares opened 13yearold “Danny’s” most painful wounds – and his own path toward healing. “Tell your family’s story – beginning, middle, and end – using these eight squares,” instructed Boys Town Jerusalem guidance counselor Ronit Asbag.
A childhood marked by trauma
Danny and his classmates bent over their pages, filling in each square with quiet determination. Danny’s story read: “Dad & Mom fight. Dad beats up Mom. Police. Kids crying. Jail. Suitcases. Divorce. Sadness.”
The shared impact of divorce
“Each story is different,” Ronit explains, “yet the 12 boys in this group share a powerful bond. Their parents’ divorce has brought complex emotional challenges. Over the 15 sessions, we give students a set time and place to process the stages of the trauma they’re experiencing.” A parallel program for high school students is led by BTJ social worker Udi Chamo.
A safe place to heal and be heard
The 90-minute sessions are based on the American program Rainbows for All Children, which supports youth coping with separation or divorce. At BTJ, these sessions give boys the invaluable chance to speak openly and take meaningful steps toward healing.
Learning to cope, rebuild, and trust again
“We explore ways to deal with guilt and anger, understand the stages of trauma, seek safety and stability, adapt to new living arrangements and shifting family dynamics, learn who and how to trust, and much more,” Ronit notes. Today, over 30% of BTJ students come from divorced families – a number that continues to rise. The painful war years following the Corona crisis have added strain to already fragile homes. High unemployment has deepened poverty, especially among singleparent families, compounding the emotional burden on children.
Supporting boys through divorce and toward a stronger future
“We are extremely grateful to generous BTJ donors worldwide,” adds BTJ CEO Yoni Strimber. “Their support empowers us to grant students priceless tools to build healthier futures. I only wish I’d had such an incredible workshop when my parents got divorced.”
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