The project Youth Futures was created for “children-at-risk”. “Children-at-risk” are children and youth under the age of 18 who, whether for personal reasons or because of their family situation, are not able to meet their potential. Especially affected are children from sections of society where educational achievement is low, children of single parents, as well as children from broken families or from areas where unemployment is high. In order to really help these children and youth, it is important to spot a potentially difficult situation as early as possible, and to act swiftly. The initiative Youth Futures, established in 2005, aims to do exactly that. With the help of trained mentors who are already active in elementary schools, intervention is early and intense. Youth Futures gives these children their self-esteem back. They can once again hope, dream and be children. In cooperation with the school, the parents and project leaders, a custom-made care and support program is devised. Thanks to a relationship with a new key worker, a so-called mentor, children are supported in their cognitive and emotional development, their worries and fears are taken seriously and their individual abilities encouraged. This way, they can rediscover a zest for life and gain perspective, a slide into crime and violence can be avoided. The Youth Futures program is available all over Israel, from Afula and Akko to Be’er Sheva, Lod and Sderot.