Hi, how are you? Many good things have been happening with us lately, and it's important for me to update you on what's going on. Why? Because your generosity allows us to continue our heartfelt efforts every day for people in distress.
So, I invite you to catch up here on our clients' photo exhibition which has opened in the Community Restaurant, the "Recipe for Success" course for at-risk girls, our plans for renovating the restaurant, and the difference between a one-time donation and a standing order.
I hope this update brighten your day and bring you some comfort during these times.
Yours,
Hagit from Be'er Sova
Can Pictures Talk?
A special photo exhibition is displaying these days at our Community Restaurant in the center of Be'er Sheva. It is the result of a photo-voice process undergone by diners and volunteers. This process gives people the opportunity to express themselves and showcase their world through the lens of a camera. The diners and volunteers documented daily life in the restaurant and shared what Be'er Sova means to them. Through the exhibition, we gained insight into aspects of our diners that we were less familiar with, and they were given a chance to voice their perspectives and create an empowering presence in the space. This project is part of a collaboration with the Department of Social Work at Ben-Gurion University. Here is a small taste of the exhibition (the translation follows below):
translation: "You can see me in the picture holding the door open with a "Welcome everyone." I am a person with love, generosity, patience, and excellent interpersonal skills. It is important to me that the face of the restaurant is seen, including the staff and servers who are working. I greatly appreciate these people; they are the ones who bring the food to the table, ensure cleanliness, and provide water.
The reality outside is tough. There are difficult people, and everyone looks out for themselves. I wish people would open their hearts and be kinder, knowing how to help each other. What's special about this restaurant is that for a symbolic amount, my needs are met. Sometimes, even without money, I get food because all they care about is that I eat and am not hungry.
In the restaurant, it is important to behave nicely. Good behavior is essential to maintain order for everyone together. I love the people and the volunteers, and this is my part in the restaurant, to take care of it." (Daniel Belili, photographed by Omer, a social work student, on 9/5/24.)
Recipe for Success
This week, 18 girls and young women gathered for the first lesson in the "Recipe for Success" course, supported by "Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank." They are only 17-18 years old, but each has a complex and difficult life story. They are victims of violence and sexual abuse, and have been in and out of various frameworks. All are known to social services, and they are already accustomed to failures and disappointments.
We have the privilege of being the first framework that believes in them, sees them, and allows them to learn what they love: patisserie! In the course, they will learn the basics of patisserie and receive support that will help them grow and embark on a new path. By the end of the process, they will step into life with tools for economic independence and positive behavior that will enable them to create a new life story.
Restaurant Facelift
We are currently preparing for the redesign of the community restaurant space in collaboration with "International Fellowship of Christians and Jews." Our goal is to "bring the outside in" and give diners a sense of nature and freshness. To achieve this, we will add elements that make optimal use of natural light, introduce greenery, renew the floors, paint, tableware, serving utensils, and more. It is important to us that diners receive a high-quality experience in a pleasant, high-quality, and welcoming restaurant. All changes will be made alongside our ongoing activities, ensuring that visitors continue to enjoy nutritious and delicious meals every day, even during the renovations.
How Can a Standing Order Change Lives?
I am often asked whether it's better for us to receive one large donation once a year or smaller, continuous donations through a standing order. Of course, every donation and all assistance is important. However, there is something special about standing orders that helps us significantly. Why?
Because a standing order allows us to better plan our expenses in the long term. It enables us to ensure that we can reach the elderly person with meals or a food package next week. It allows us to assure a young girl that she can continue meeting with her social worker even next month. Thanks to standing orders, we can commit to classes for needy elderly people. In other words, standing orders provide us with certainty that enables us to help people not just from day to day, but also through long-term processes that can truly change lives!
*For a monthly standing order, select the "Monthly" option at the top of the donation form. For an annual standing order, select the "Yearly" option.
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