Miriam Diener

Nirim

Nirim was founded by commanders and brothers in arms of the late Navy Seals Sergeant First Class Nir Krichman, who was killed in action in 2002. They were motivated to create a program that empowers youth at high risk, and to name it in his memory, Nirim. Since 2003, Nirim provides youth at high risk an opportunity, in many cases their last, to overcome their harsh life circumstances, discover their strengths, and become self-confident and successful members of society. Nirim changes the lives of 500 teens every year. The words youth at high risk hardly convey the magnitude of suffering and loss of hope that these children are exposed to. Physical and emotional violence, poverty, detachment and abandonment, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, low self-image and lack of confidence as well as an experience of failure from any educational framework, are just some of the toughest elements in the story of their lives. Derived from a profound belief that every one of our adolescents, regardless of their starting point, can achieve academic and personal goals far beyond their own expectations, we employ two unique educational-therapeutic programs: Nirim Youth Village located on the northern shore of Israel, is a unique residential setting for 100 at-risk youths aged 14 -18. The Nirim Track is a highly intensive program for youth removed from their families by the Office of Youth Protection Authority or referred to us by the Juvenile Court as an alternative to jail. Nirim in the Neighborhoods is a community outreach program currently active in socio-economically deprived, crime-saturated neighborhoods in 15 cities throughout Israel. Nirim in the Neighborhood Centers are open daily and late into the night, offering over 400 youth an opportunity to turn their lives around, facilitated by educational mentoring, outbound challenge activities and tools for parental guidance and support.