Krembo Wings, a haven for children with and without disabilities, faces a funding crisis in the wake of ongoing national trauma.
Krembo Wings, a haven for children with and without disabilities, faces a funding crisis in the wake of ongoing national trauma.
Krembo Wings, one of Israel’s truly unique youth movements, has been fostering inclusivity and friendship among children and teenagers with and without disabilities for over two decades. The organization's impact transcends societal divides, uniting diverse communities across the nation. Since the events of October 7th, they've intensified their efforts to support displaced families and communities, providing vital activities and a sense of normalcy for children with disabilities in over 500 hotels and facilities. As the new activity year approaches, and with domestic donations declining, the movement is in urgent need of support.
Krembo Wings: A Unique Model of Inclusion
Krembo Wings stands out as a one-of-a-kind youth movement, not just in Israel, but potentially worldwide. It brings together children and teenagers with and without disabilities from all sectors of Israeli society - Jewish, Arab, Druze, religious, and secular - in a shared educational and social environment. Since its inception two decades ago, the movement has expanded to over 94 branches across the country, becoming a "safe haven" for approximately 9,500 children and youth.
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Krembo Wings continues to be an anchor for thousands of boys and girls in Israel
(Photo: Gil Lupo)
"We are a youth movement whose goal is to create a place, meaning, and friendships for every child in Israel. To ensure that no child is alone."
Talia Harel Bejerano, CEO of Krembo Wings, shares her journey, "I arrived 16 years ago as the first employee of Krembo Wings, and from my very first moment, I understood its uniqueness. I started speaking with a young man in a wheelchair, assuming he had a cognitive disability, and the first thing he wrote to me on his communication board was, 'Don't pity us.' After a long conversation with him, I realized that this was a place I wanted to be a part of."
For the past 8 years, Bejerano has served as the organization’s CEO, and her motivation has only grown stronger. According to her, "The goal of Krembo Wings is to create friendships for everyone. No matter who they are. We are a youth movement whose goal is to create a place, meaning, and friendships for every child in Israel. To ensure that no child is alone."
Breaking Down Barriers: Everyone is an Active Participant
Krembo Wings challenges the traditional volunteer-participant model of youth movements. Everyone, regardless of their abilities, is an active participant, shaping the movement's activities and ethos. This fosters a sense of empowerment and ownership, especially important for children with disabilities who may often feel marginalized.
The activities are diverse, including weekly social gatherings, personal mentoring, leadership programs, and adapted community activities. All activities are led by young people, and the children eagerly anticipate them every week.
Krembo Wings' uniqueness also lies in how it adapts activities to all participants. "If there is a child with epilepsy, for example, there will be no flashing lights. Our agenda develops a 360-degree accessibility mindset among the participants," explains Bejerano. "There are sensory aids, and a hygienic assistant is present at every activity to assist with intimate needs of participants with disabilities. The other participants are not responsible for this because the members are friends and partners who help one another but do not take care of each other. The activities in the movement are based on the belief that everyone needs support; the difference is in the level and type of support. We are all a proactive force in society."
"Since October 7th, we have been a vital anchor for thousands of families and youth."
The recent crisis has highlighted the critical role of Krembo Wings. Bejerano shares, "The war caught us off guard, like everyone else, with shock and pain. But we quickly realized we had a lot to contribute. We have a 'reservoir' of inclusive youth members and alumni capable of handling complex situations, bringing joy and energy, and being socially active."
Since then, youth members have worked tirelessly, assisting displaced families with disabilities and organizing special activities in over 500 hotels and facilities. "We established three activity centers in areas for evacuees, operating daily to provide a dependable framework for families and children," says Bejerano. "Families were evacuated with no warning, distanced from their homes and communities, crammed into tiny hotel rooms – all with a child with disabilities. Krembo Wings' activities were sometimes the only time that these parents could take a break."
The activities of Krembo Wings extended beyond helping displaced people. "We made hundreds of home visits to children who hadn't left their homes for months," says Bejerano. "And in parallel, the regular activities of our youth movement continued."
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Krembo Wings, a haven for children with and without disabilities
(Courtesy of Krembo Wings)
"Despite an increase in our activities due to the war, donations and support have actually decreased."
Despite the growing demand, Krembo Wings faces significant budgetary challenges. "The demand for our activities is enormous," explains Bejerano. "We receive daily inquiries from young people wanting to join us or requests to open new branches. A majority of our annual budget comes from donations, both public and private. We are a non-profit organization that depends entirely on the generosity of the people of Israel and the corporate sector.”
Following the war, donations have decreased significantly, making it difficult to open the upcoming activity year. "Understandably, donations were first directed towards the emergency needs of the war, but what about the need to also support social organizations that work for Israeli society and care for its future?" asks Bejerano.
A Call to Action
Krembo Wings is calling upon the public, the business and corporate sector, and fellow civil society organizations to help them open the new activity year. "We are launching a campaign that says, 'Especially now, let's preserve what's good.' Krembo Wings is a good place for thousands of children with and without disabilities. We must ensure that the good remains with us, for the day after the war. We see ourselves as a social Iron Dome," explains Bejerano.
A significant portion of the movement’s donations come from businesses. "In some cases, we build wonderful collaborations with employees," says Bejerano. "I give lectures to some of our partner companies, sharing the spirit of Krembo Wings and the amazing work of our youth with the employees and leadership. The employees tell me afterward that I make them prouder of their own organization and its values."
"The future generation of this country's leaders will emerge from Krembo Wings."
Bejerano concludes by emphasizing the importance of the movement in building the future generation, "The youth of Krembo Wings are the future leaders of our country; they will emerge as our future leaders because they are not afraid of differences, they know how to deal with challenges and conduct difficult and complex conversations. They have what it takes for leadership."
“Krembo Wings is more than just a youth movement,” Bejerano continues. "It is part of the landscape of Israeli society, it is a school for values, belonging, inclusion, and friendship. A school for life."
Now, more than ever, Krembo Wings needs your support to continue being an anchor for thousands of children and youth across Israel. Every donation will help the movement continue its vital activities and successfully open its upcoming activity year. "We want to invite and welcome everyone who needs us and wants to join. And there are thousands who do," says Bejerano.
