Orr Shalom’s “Beating the Odds” program, currently supported by the Jewish Federation endowment funds, recently won the 2022 Ashalim Award for innovative initiatives that promote and create opportunities for socio-economic leadership.
For over 40 years, Orr Shalom has cared for children and youth at risk who have been removed from their parents’ custody by welfare authorities due to an extreme lack of protection and parental dysfunction. The Jewish Federation has been a long-time partner with Orr Shalom, providing support through the Jewish Community Fund as well as restricted gifts.
Through the “Beating the Odds” program, Orr Shalom is able to continue to provide resources and assistance for those who have aged out of the system. Currently, there are 350 participants, between the ages of 18-27, who are a part of this graduate program that aims to empower and offer guidance to those who are in transition to independent living.
During a conference on Thursday, November 10, Orr Shalom’s CEO Tali Halaf and the graduate program’s Director Ilanit Cohen were recognized with the Ashalim Award and presented with $5,000.
At the conference, the judges explained why they thought Orr Shalom deserving of the prize: "We were impressed that the program sees each individual in his or her entirety, provides accompaniment, tools and financial support as an integral part of the responses provided to the young adults, and that the team was driven to create a meaningful response for them.”
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