Summer’s underway!
The first group of children from families devastated by terror, have now begun their programs in our day camps and overnight camps.
The camps – some from our Gan Israel Day Camp system, some other camps – are scattered throughout Israel. The children are enjoying the normal schedule of camp activities but there is an added component that addresses directly the trauma the children have experienced. This includes workshops and special programs geared to an understanding of the situations the children have gone through, and how to help them heal emotionally and psychologically.
We work directly with the staff members at each of the camps involved as well as with our psychological advisory team to ensure that the children not only have a carefree, wonderful summer, something every child deserves, but that they also have the support and help they need to overcome the trauma they have experienced.
We want to share one touching story with you that illustrates well the importance of these camps and of all of CTVP’s unique work.
We were recently approached by a woman who had been widowed some years ago when her husband was killed in a bus bombing in Jerusalem. Her children were very small when the tragedy occurred. But now, they are at an age where they can begin to understand their loss and the horror of how their father died.
The mother felt that they needed even more help now than they did in the beginning. So we increased our involvement by getting the children into our summer camp programs and directly involving a psychologist to work with them.
The fresh air and sense of normalcy that the camps provide are already helping these children and indirectly their mother as well. This is yet one more example of the life-sustaining work we accomplish together through CTVP and its broad array of programs. Thank you
