At youth village, Portland dollars buy love
By Deborah Moon Seldner
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During their mission to Israel, 33 Oregonians visited the Neve Michael Youth Village, which provides a home for some 250 at-risk Israeli youth, and delivered two donations to support further the village's Portland Petting Zoo.
Linda Georges presented a check for $25,000 from the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and another check for $500 from the kids on the Oregon Jewish Community Youth Foundation Board to Hava Levene, head of Neve Michael Youth Village.
"We are very proud and honored to present this money from Portland," Georges said. "We definitely have a special place in our hearts for this place."
Neve Michael is a safe haven for Israeli children at risk whose biological parents can no longer care for them. The home provides sustenance, education and a warm and caring environment to more than 250 needy children from the age of 4 to 18.
Levene said that children live in family units during their years at Neve Michael. Couples with one to three children of their own take in eight to 12 at-risk children and raise them in homes in the village with the aid of Israeli women doing alternate service from the military.
"Some children require different kinds of therapy to assist them in overcoming their ghosts of the past. It is without doubt that animal therapy provides an important type of therapy," said Levene.
So last year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland funded the addition of a petting zoo.
Levene said that the petting zoo gives children a place to give and receive unconditional love and a safe place to communicate their pain.
Many of the Oregonians said they were very impressed both by the work done at the youth village and by the support federation gives to that cause.
"It's so nice to know where our money goes. This is so worthy," said Karen McAllister, of West Linn.
Faye Samuels of Portland said, "I thought it was incredible. I'm a special ed teacher and to see how these kids are living —it's heartwarming."
Her husband Stan Samuels added, "It was very inspiring. It's nice to personalize what federation is doing."
Liz Lippoff said, "We need to use the work they do to explain to people on a personal level what work we do. Federation donors need to understand there are personal stories behind every dollar we give."
Yael, a service worker at the village, shared some anonymous stories of residents' trials. She told of a 6-year-old found wandering the streets because his mom was drinking and no one knew where his father was. When one child arrived, Yael said, he would sneak into the kitchen to take food at night because he didn't believe he would get three meals a day.
"I never thought things like this really happened," Yael said. "When you read about a murder in the paper, you never think of the children whose dad killed their mother. You never think anyone would abuse a 5-year-old."
Colleen Larson of Eugene said, "I didn't know federation was supporting this. I feel good that federation supports that."
Nancy Green said, "I am so pleased with the work they are doing. With children you can see the results. It speaks for itself."