Projects
Discover our ongoing projects and initiatives aimed at improving the community and making a positive impact in Haifa
Global Network - Combating Cyberbullying as Part of a Safe Community Strategy
The non-profit organization "Young People for Haifa", led by Haifa City Council member Kirill Karetnik, works to strengthen the city’s teenagers and young people - not only in physical spaces, but also in the digital environment. In an era when much of teenagers’ communication takes place on Telegram and social media, our responsibility cannot end at the edge of the screen. The Global Network was created as a practical response to the spread of cyberbullying, provocations, harassment, and the lack of moderation in various Telegram channels. The project is led and managed by Dani Sitinov, who is responsible for operational management, channel development, and community coordination. Rather than accepting an aggressive digital environment, an alternative was built - a structured online space with clear rules, responsible administration, and control mechanisms. Today, the network unites around 20 Telegram channels with a total audience of more than 2,500 teenagers from different cities. A team of administrators and moderators, under the leadership of project manager Dani Sitinov, ensures compliance with the rules, responds to participants’ requests, and promptly identifies cases of bullying or conflict escalation. The project is not limited to the online space. During the course of the work, cases of bullying within groups were identified that, in some situations, could have escalated into physical conflicts outside the network. Through monitoring and analysis of activity within the channels, the project team cooperated with relevant authorities - school administrations, the Haifa Education Department, the Community Safety Department, and, when necessary, the Israel Police Forces. Thanks to timely action and coordination with official bodies, it was possible to prevent conflict escalation, stop harassment, and ensure responsible intervention before situations spiraled out of control. For us, the Global Network is not just about content moderation. It is an educational and civic concept: fostering a culture of respectful communication, establishing clear boundaries, and creating a sense of safety for teenagers. The project directly aligns with the vision of "Young People for Haifa" - building a safer city where teenagers feel protected both on the streets and in schools, as well as in the digital space. A strong community begins with a young generation that knows there is a responsible support system behind them. Learn more: https://t.me/HubAnon
Haifa Streetball - Haifa’s Basketball Community
The non-profit organization "Young People for Haifa" believes that strengthening young people and the community happens not only through lectures and social initiatives, but also through sports, live interaction, and shared activity. From this understanding, the Haifa Streetball project was born - an open basketball community in Haifa that brings young people together through the game. What started as a small group of friends with a ball and a desire to play has gradually grown into a vibrant and active community of basketball enthusiasts in the city. The project is led by Ilya Kravchenko, who is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and developing activities both on and off the court. This is an amateur group - open and friendly - built on respect, good atmosphere, and movement. The main principle is simple: everyone plays here. The format is suitable for beginners, occasional players, and those who want to start their week with the right energy. No professional experience is required - just the желание to participate, stay active, and enjoy the game. Haifa Streetball meets every Sunday - at the start of the week - on a regular court in a convenient location with lighting available until late evening. Having a consistent meeting place creates stability, allows participants to get to know each other better, and makes the game part of a regular life rhythm. But the project is about more than just basketball. It is a space for meeting people, socializing, and building new connections. Young people from different neighborhoods of Haifa, new immigrants, and long-time residents meet on one court, communicate, and feel part of something bigger. For Youth for Haifa, Haifa Streetball is part of a broader strategy: to create an active and healthy youth community, to bring positive meaning back to public spaces, and to build an environment where young people feel a sense of belonging. Sport is a universal language. And when we start the week together on the court, we build a stronger city. Want to join? Join the Telegram group and get all the details: https://t.me/+HC0x505u2Rk0OTk0 Come on Sunday, catch the energy - and play.
Hebrew Conversation Club for New Olims – an Initiative by the NGO "Young People for Haifa"
At the NGO "Young People for Haifa," we understand that for many new immigrants who have arrived in Haifa in recent years, Hebrew is not just a new language. It is a cultural barrier. You can live in Israel for years, finish ulpan, understand almost everything, read messages, manage daily life, and still feel awkward speaking—for example, when buying milk at the supermarket. Afraid to make mistakes, afraid of not being understood, afraid of sounding "not good enough." This fear is quiet—but deep inside. Those who haven’t experienced it cannot understand. It is precisely from this understanding that our Hebrew conversation club was born—a space where language stops being an obstacle and becomes a living, human tool for communication. The club meets every Monday at 18:30 at 4 Garav Ohana Street in Haifa. For more than a year and a half, the meetings have taken place regularly and during this time have become a true home for hundreds of participants. Each meeting gathers 15 to 40 Haifa residents, taking a small step for themselves, but a very important step toward self-confidence. The audience is lively and diverse, with most participants being new immigrants and not only them. Some have lived in Haifa for just a few months, while others have been in the country for ten or twenty years but still do not feel comfortable speaking. Among the participants are students, young professionals, parents, and people who have simply decided it is time to stop being afraid of their Hebrew and move forward. They share one goal—the desire to overcome the language barrier and feel confident on the street, at work, and even with the vegetable vendor at the Talpiot market. Each meeting focuses on a topic from everyday life: work and interviews, relationships, daily situations, Israeli culture, or even awkward moments familiar to everyone. Participants are divided into groups by level so that everyone can speak at their own pace and feel comfortable. Each group has a facilitator—a native speaker who gently guides the conversation, helps with words, and supports dialogue. But this is not a grammar lesson or a school class; it is a real, living conversation. Here you can make mistakes, pause to find the right word, laugh, and most importantly—speak without fear, because everyone is accepted as they are. Real changes happen not only during the meetings but also beyond them. People who initially only listened start to respond. Within a few weeks, they participate in discussions; within a few months, they initiate conversations themselves; and after six months, they confidently sustain discussions. This is visible: more confidence in the store, at university, at work, and in interviews. The language stops being foreign and ceases to be a barrier. But along with language, something greater happens—a community is formed. Connections, friendships, and mutual support emerge. People stop feeling alone in a new city. The conversation club becomes a space of belonging—a place where integration happens not only through language but also through life in our city. The Hebrew conversation club is much more than language practice; it is part of the vision of the NGO "Young People for Haifa"—to build a young, confident, and united Haifa. A city where new immigrants do not stay on the sidelines but become an active part of urban life. Because we are convinced: new immigrants are the future of Haifa. We continue to meet every week because we understand: sometimes a single meeting can change an entire life. Come join us—we will be glad to see you or your friends—to learn, develop, and grow together with us.
Lectures and Events in Haifa: a Community that Learns, Connects, and Grows Together
A city is not just buildings and streets; it’s the people who live in it, the conversations that start over a cup of coffee and continue after a lecture, the questions seeking answers, and the meetings that spark change within. At the NGO "Young People for Haifa," we believe that a community does not form by chance—it is built through gatherings. That is why we regularly hold lectures, meetings, and events, creating a living space where people can learn, reflect, debate, explore topics, and, most importantly, feel part of something bigger. Our lectures take place at the organization’s office at Garav Ohana 4 in Haifa. Each event gathers 30 to 100 city residents. But it’s not about the numbers; it’s about the energy. People come not just to listen and leave. They stay to socialize, ask questions, exchange contacts, find like-minded individuals, and sometimes encounter those with different perspectives who make them see a topic in a new light. This is how a real community emerges. We host one to four lectures per month, inviting speakers who truly add value: professors, journalists, military representatives, entrepreneurs, politicians, bloggers, civic activists, and leading specialists in their fields. The topics are chosen deliberately—they reflect the real questions and concerns of Haifa’s youth and new immigrants: the history of Israel and understanding the country you live in; integration and adaptation; psychology and emotional resilience; Holocaust memory and historical heritage; career and professional development; relationships and social connections; politics and public processes; culture and identity; personal skills development—communication, public speaking, self-confidence. These gatherings provide not only knowledge but also confidence. Understanding the context helps people feel part of the city and society. When there is understanding, a sense of belonging arises. In addition to lectures, we regularly host holiday and cultural events: Hanukkah, Purim, Rosh Hashanah, Independence Day, New Year (Sylvester), and communal viewings of Eurovision. Sometimes these are small, intimate gatherings; other times, large and vibrant events. But it is always a space where people can meet, connect, and spend time together. For many young people and new immigrants, this is where their first friends are made, first connections are formed, and they realize that Haifa is not just a city—it’s home. Our goal is not merely to fill a calendar with events. We create an environment where young people can grow, develop, and feel supported. Lectures provide knowledge. Events create connections. Community gives a sense of home. And when there is a sense of home, young people stay, invest in the city, and help build its future. Because a strong Haifa is not just beautiful scenery and academic institutions. A strong Haifa is a city where people know each other, talk, learn, and together shape a shared future.
Speaking English Without Fear – an Educational Project by the NGO "Young People for Haifa"
At the NGO "Young People for Haifa," we understand that when someone moves to Israel, attention naturally focuses on Hebrew. Work, documents, studies, everyday life—everything requires adaptation to a new language. But in this process, another, less obvious thing happens: English, which was once confident and active, gradually moves to the background. Words are forgotten, confidence decreases, and a language that used to be a tool for opportunities becomes passive knowledge. At a time when English is the language of careers, high-tech, academia, and the global world, many people begin to feel shy about speaking. That’s why we created the English conversation club at the NGO "Young People for Haifa"—a space where English becomes a living, free, and confident tool for communication again. The club meets every Sunday at 6:30 PM at 4 Garav Ohana Street in Haifa and has been an integral part of our community for over a year and a half. Each session brings together 10 to 20 Haifa residents—young professionals, students, new immigrants, and local residents—who understand how important English is for their future. The reason people come is simple: English is the language of opportunity. Job interviews, university studies, work in international companies, traveling abroad, professional networking—all of this requires confidence in the language. But without regular practice, even those who once knew English well begin to hesitate, lose confidence, and avoid speaking. Our club provides exactly what is often missing: live, regular, and supportive practice. Each session is led by a professional English and Chinese language teacher—a native speaker with extensive experience working with different skill levels. Classes are based on prepared topics, diverse formats, and activities, making the meetings structured and professional, yet lively and dynamic. This is not a school lesson or an exam class; it’s a space where participants can speak freely, experiment, make mistakes, and grow. The club is open to all levels—from beginners to fluent speakers who want to maintain their English. Everyone finds their own pace and space. What happens after a few months? Confidence returns. Participants start speaking more easily and freely, and the fear of searching for words disappears. The tension that builds up when a language hasn’t been used for a long time gradually fades. English stops being a memory from school and becomes a real tool for work and life again. This shows in fluency, creativity, and readiness to engage in conversation without hesitation. But, as with the Hebrew conversation club, something more than just language learning happens here: a community is formed. People meet, exchange ideas, build connections, and feel a sense of belonging. The club becomes not only an educational space but also a part of the city’s social life. The English conversation club is part of the broader vision of the NGO "Young People for Haifa": to build a young, self-confident, and globally connected community. We believe that language is not just vocabulary—it’s freedom, opportunity, and self-assurance. And sometimes, it all begins with one Sunday evening meeting. Come join us. We’ll be happy to see you or your friends—speaking, learning, and opening new doors to the future together.
The “Goodness Warehouse” of the NGO "Young People for Haifa" – a place where items gain new meaning and people receive real support
At the NGO "Young People for Haifa," we believe that true help comes from the heart. Sometimes help is a simple dish, sometimes a warm blanket, a coat, or an ordinary kettle. Everyday items that are no longer needed by one person can become the first step toward a new life for another. It was this understanding that gave rise to the “Goods Warehouse” project. The project began with small, deeply human requests. Residents approached us asking to provide items to new immigrants who had just arrived in Haifa and were starting their lives from scratch, or to people in difficult circumstances. Some lacked basic kitchenware, others didn’t have pillows, and in some cases, families of new immigrants moved into completely empty apartments—without warm clothing or essential household items. Initially, we organized one-time yard sales to connect those who had things to give with those in need. But it quickly became clear: the need doesn’t disappear after one event—it exists every day. Thus, the "Goods Warehouse" was born—a space of mutual aid, social responsibility, and sustainable consumption. The warehouse operates regularly twice a week at the organization’s office at 4 Garav Ohana Street in Haifa—on Sundays from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. On these days, dozens of people come: new immigrants and families in need, setting up their homes, as well as local residents choosing conscious consumption and the reuse of resources. Young people, elderly individuals, and families come, each with their own story, but all share one understanding: a community is built through mutual support. At the warehouse, one can find clothing, shoes, kitchenware, bedding, blankets, household items, and many other essentials. The inventory is constantly updated thanks to residents who donate items in good condition—with respect for those who will use them next. We deliberately accept only items that are truly usable—because real help always comes with respect. Items not suitable for use are sent for recycling through specialized facilities, ensuring environmental responsibility. For new immigrants and those in need, the warehouse is free—they can take everything they need at no cost. For others, a voluntary donation system applies: each person decides if and how much they wish to contribute. This creates a living system in which everyone can be both a giver and a recipient. Since its inception, the "Goods Warehouse" has assisted dozens of families and individuals during the most critical moments of their lives. People moving into empty apartments found basic items here, allowing them to start a new life with dignity and less stress: plates, bedding, warm clothing, and more. Sometimes help is a simple solution; sometimes it’s simply the ability to have a peaceful dinner at home—because you have your own plate. The "Goods Warehouse" is much more than a storage place. It is a space of trust, solidarity, and a culture of mutual support. Here, items are not thrown away—they continue to serve people. A community is formed that understands: an unused resource can become a blessing for someone else. For the NGO "Young People for Haifa," this project is part of a broader vision: to build a connected and supportive community in the city, where people help one another and understand that real strength begins with mutual responsibility. Because a strong city is not just buildings and roads—a strong city is its people, ready to share and support each other.