KIDS FOR KIDS mission is to foster tangible supportive activities and humane services for the innocent child victims of terrorism who have been left orphaned, maimed, and traumatized.

KIDS FOR KIDS develops and emphasizes the quality of chesed (kindness) which is inherent in every child.

Working through neighborhood schools, centers, established organizations, and non-affiliated individuals, KIDS FOR KIDS accesses this characteristic of kindness as well as the high energy level of youth, channeling both into activities which will brighten the future of those whose lives have been forever changed as a result of senseless hatred and violence.

The local Israeli chapters of KIDS FOR KIDS not only participates in projects to raise funds, they also are in a position for hands on actions to raise the spirits of those children effected by the violence; volunteers going to the hospitals, homes, or where the injured or orphaned child and their family need loving support.

Of major concern is trauma and the unfortunate development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is so easily cultivated in Israel’s current environment. It is imperative that this issue be realized, addressed and resolved, as best as possibly. To that end, KIDS FOR KIDS is whole heartedly dedicated to the children we refers to as ‘kids who fall between the stretchers’…those not on any official governmental or private agency list. We are dedicated to these children’s recovery.

Where we’ve been
The violence, murders, and constant threat of terror catapulted this organization into being and the understanding that “if you’re not part of the solution, you are part of the problem” rang through the grief. The KIDS FOR KIDS concept took shape.
Within a short period of time, our loosely band of volunteers went into action. Together, we understood that traumatic events can shatter a child’s most basic beliefs about trust and safety and possibly leave the trauma victim in a state of perpetual physical alertness, mental hypertension, or a condition known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

KIDS FOR KIDS initial step was to establish contact with a Psychological Clinic to take our KIDS who need trauma/stress related treatment. When we saw more was needed, we instituted RECOVERY SUPPORT TEAMS After seeing the multiple consequences of trauma to our children, KIDS FOR KIDS has begun instituting individual designed programs for children suffering from the effects of terrorism. Our synergetic approach with a ‘cooperative spirit’ between help professionals is a rare concept in Israel, and we are witnessing the success of this method.
For example, when Sara’s mother. (not her real name) called for help with her 13 year old daughter who’s close relatives were killed in a terrorist attack, KIDS FOR KIDS realized that Sara would need more than one therapist at the Jerusalem clinic. KIDS FOR KIDS established a RECOVERY SUPPORT TEAM to accommodate Sara’s needs. In her case, the team consisted of a Pedestrian/Psychiatrist expert in the trauma reduction method of rapid eye movement; a psychotherapist proficient in Play Therapy; and an art educator gifted in therapeutic arts. K4K is watching Sara progress towards recovery.

Emergency Recovery Teams and Training
In addition to our first two initiatives, the Clinic and the development of the concept of Recovery Support Teams, our focus and our need in relation to the Israeli public, is in creating trained groups composed of both lay and professional people who will be on call to service the ‘witnesses’ of a terror attack providing them with both an emergency debriefing and safe escort home or to necessary facilities.

We need financial support for the follow-up care of these traumatized children which include those who “fall between the stretchers”, and are KIDS FOR KIDS primary focus; i.e., attack witnesses, siblings, neighbors, and friends of the dead and wounded. In order to care for the multitude of children accounted for under this umbrella we need to create age appropriate support groups facilitated by therapists trained in trauma related modalities.

As matters escalate to the point where many Israeli citizens are wary of commuting to Jerusalem and less volunteers are willing to travel out to the besieged or isolated areas, another solution to the trauma problem needed to be found.

We knew that a Crisis Intervention Training program must be instituted in order that appropriate lay-people living in each self contained settlement, village and community will be prepared to handle situations where cases of trauma often result.

KIDS FOR KIDS has arranged with a renown Center for the Treatment of to conduct courses in Crisis Intervention focusing on the Trauma of Violence and War.

The Center’s approach is that in most cases, the majority of people can learn to deal and integrate even the most shocking of psychological and emotional situations if they are given the tools to ‘manage’. With the techniques the Center teaches, the children’s chances of preventing the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increases.

As the year progressed
We entertained KIDS, brought them into Jerusalem for parties and museum visits.
We conducted structured and therapeutic activities in hope that by expressing themselves in such projects as KIDS Essays presented and published in an NCSY booklet, “where the poppies grow” in the hope that the children would find relief from negative and harmful feelings.

We visited hospitals and homes and offered our hearts, a listening ear, and solutions for problems where we could. We instituted our KIDS FOR KIDS And Friends volunteer program in Gilo, a beleaguered Jerusalem neighborhood under fire for almost the entire year of terrorist violence.

As a fundraising project, KIDS FOR KIDS produced a CD Album, THE STARS COME OUT.for the KIDS featuring some of the Jewish world’s most popular singers such as Mordechai Ben-Dovid, Avraham Freed, Sam Glaser, Yehuda Katz, and Chaim Dovid. Robert Ledderman’s Perki Efrat joined with OUR KIDS to record an original song “Yellidim Shel Shalom” the organizations rousing banner song.
To depict the change in an Israeli child’s life since this War-of-No-Name, we produced a short video film, “Roses Among the Thorns”.

KIDS FOR KIDS Youth Advisory Board Members and other K4K representatives traveled abroad and spoke to thousands in schools, synagogues, homes, and community centers, raising consciousness and awareness of the true situation in which our Israeli children find themselves. If you are interested in hearing one of our KIDS, let us know.

This is an organic, grass roots organization springing forth with ideas, energy, and passion from those who’s hearts hear what the KIDS are saying. Like our song says, “Kids For Kids, we are you.”

As Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has recently remarked, "A war has fallen on us." And it is towards the young and innocent, so limited in their own resources to deal and navigate through this war, who our efforts are most directed.

Your tax deductible donation will go a long way to help the KIDS in Israel who have been left effected by terrorism. We are concerned by the thousands who are candidates for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by being ‘witnesses’ to the vast escalation of violence and terror. And who are the witnesses? They are the youngsters all around us who are suffering the loss of a friend neighbor, or classmate. They are the children who happened to be on that block when the explosion occurred, who saw the terrorist attack unfolding, the body parts on the street, the pain of a suffering victim. This can be the child living next door to a murdered victim or the child who rides that bombed number bus regularly. The media and aftermath reinforces the painful drama in an unhealthy way. Stories continue after an event occurs with trauma right there with the person, repeating itself in moments, in memories, in nightmares.

Your tax deductible checks can be made payable to:

American Friends of Old City Charities: Kids For Kids
c/o Avery Gross
30 Bay Street,
Staten Island, NY 10301-2512

The tax exempt #13-3743550