In times of emergency, Shanti House serves as an "essential enterprise," and our operation and counseling teams all work together and stay with our children 24/7 to continue the daily emotional support of our community. Therefore, as the war started, we relocated all our children, graduates, lone soldiers, and professional teams to the Desert Shanti House in the Negev.
In the aftermath of the massacre that began this war on October 7, we opened the doors of the Shanti House youth village in the desert to welcome families and individuals from the kibbutzim and villages on the Gaza border, and families from the now-evacuated north in need of a home.
Our gates are also open 24/7 for IDF and reserve soldiers in need of a place to rest for a few nights, and for youth from all over the country, who are at risk or whose lives may be in danger, that are being referred to the Desert Shanti house through welfare services.
Most of the people coming to us have been forced to leave their houses, and many bring nothing or only very minimal equipment with them.
We provide them with accommodations and any additional services and supplies needed: food, clothing, personal equipment, hygiene products, baby food, leisure equipment, etc.
In addition to the essential basic needs, we provide mental and emotional support through the treatment centers and sports facilities available at the Shanti House youth village in the desert: Therapeutic horse riding, petting zoo, therapeutic farming, hydrotherapy, and a creative center that offers a variety of occupational therapy activities such as carpentry, welding, sewing, and more. These activities are performed under the guidance of our teams of counselors, professionals, and volunteers.
