From the Press

Forty years ago, Mariuma Klein founded Shanti House and has since guided thousands of at-risk youth and young adults facing life-threatening situations. Throughout these years, she learned crucial lessons about the human spirit – about the choices that drive us, our capacity for change, our need for safe spaces, and our passion for life: “Meeting thousands of children who came to us has been an endless stream of lessons in love, compassion, and courage.” Here are some of them.

From the press articles about the Shanti House and Mariuma Klein.

Click and discover a world of videos – The Shanti house on YouTube

After being canceled last year due to the war, the journey honoring at-risk youth returns on November 22nd, with modifications due to the current situation – an 83-kilometer trek through open terrain rather than roads, ending in a special ceremony in Jerusalem.

It began with COVID-19 and continued through the social-political crisis that unfolded here. Mobile phones became like “virtual friends,” a source of relief from loneliness.

The ongoing war and evacuation of thousands of families from their homes in the Gaza envelope and northern Israel has created a deep crisis among many youth and young adults. Ahead of International Children’s Day, Shanti House launches an unconventional campaign aimed at reaching those lost young people without a home or community, who risk falling into street life and substance abuse.

Israeli society must understand that investing in youth today isn’t just about social responsibility – it’s an investment in our national resilience. If we don’t address trauma today, we’ll find ourselves in a decade facing an entire generation of wounded adults // A must-read column by Shanti House’s founder and CEO

Shanti House launches a new campaign for International Children’s Day, reaching out to youth in distress through stickers and flyers designed to resemble Telegram dealer messages. Mariuma Klein: “We can’t wait for them to come to us. We need to reach them in their language, in their spaces.”

Shanti House Bike Ride Sets Off for Jerusalem This Morning: “Hundreds of Cyclists Join Annual Ride Supporting At-Risk Youth”

Hundreds of cyclists participated in Shanti House’s annual bike journey, starting in Tel Aviv and finishing in Jerusalem, covering 85 kilometers: “A journey that symbolizes the fulfillment of a dream for us.”

The youth center is known for its devoted care of young people. Today, Shanti House also provides support to evacuated youth, hoping to prevent them from falling into difficult situations. Shanti Kid, treatment coordinator, and Deputy Liron Marco, a Shanti House graduate, shared the story of Shanti House’s 40-year journey, the complexities of caring for evacuees (“We too realized we needed to take action with evacuated youth”), and Liron’s moving story. Watch the full interview.

Minister of Education Yifat Shasha-Biton announced tonight (Monday) the award of the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement to Mariuma Klein, founder of Shanti House. The center, established in Tel Aviv in 1984, cares for at-risk and homeless youth, and according to the organization’s website, has helped tens of thousands of young people since its founding. In 2001, the center received recognition from the Ministry of Welfare, and over the years, homes were opened in Jerusalem and the Negev.

Eden, a Shanti House resident, together with Mariuma, interviewed by Lucy Aharish on Channel 13 News: “Today’s youth will educate and protect our children tomorrow. Youth are our responsibility and our future.” Shanti House – Choosing Life

As Purim approaches, Shanti House’s volunteer service year community is planning a grand celebration to make the holiday special and joyful for the at-risk youth in the house. We went to hear about their work.

An innovative experiment is taking place in the middle of the Negev: a youth center with activities, a game room, and even Facebook. Behind the project stands Mariuma, who has already succeeded in transforming thousands of young lives in central Israel and is now bringing the same vision to the Negev.

Mariuma Klein, founder of Shanti House which supports at-risk youth, received the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement for her social and community work. Prize Committee: “The commandment ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’ guides her path.” After winning, she said: “This prize is the state’s recognition of children who were once invisible. They are my heroes.”

Mariuma Klein, founder and director of “Shanti House,” will receive the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing 38 years of helping over 60,000 at-risk youth who found a home with her. “Every child,” she says, “needs to learn to break free from feeling like a victim.”

Congratulations Mariuma! I was overjoyed to inform Mariuma Klein of her selection as Israel Prize laureate for Lifetime Achievement. Mariuma dedicates her life to youth, working with immense dedication to guide them with acceptance and nurturing into the education system and society. The countless success stories that have emerged from Shanti House are the greatest testament to her significant contribution to Israeli society.

Mariuma, one of the few Israelis chosen as a Top 25 finalist in CNN’s prestigious CNN HEROES project, was selected from thousands of nominees from over 187 countries worldwideto join this exceptional team of CNN HEROES. Mariuma and Shanti House underwent thorough financial, organizational, and personal evaluations. It’s a great honor for her to represent Israel and Shanti House children in this important project. The project is led by network star journalist Anderson Cooper. A CNN team came specially to interview Mariuma and film the organization’s activities. Mariuma Ben Yosef: “I’m excited to be one of 25 global finalists and part of such a distinguished group of people who have brought change to the world… I’m proud to represent the beautiful side of my country and especially proud to represent Shanti House children and graduates, who are my life’s inspiration. This nomination is thanks to them.”

How did a girl who was abandoned at the age of 2, sexually assaulted at the age of 5, raped at the age of 17 and living on the street, still manage to help around 63 thousand girls and boys at risk?

At -risk and life -threatening youth in Israel and the founder of the Shanti House, Mariuma Klein the Shanti house

For 35 years, the Shanti house has been working and giving youth and children at risk the feeling that they never had – we believe in them. Young people who until recently walked the streets and passed by the Shanti house, tell about the amazing experience that changed their lives: “This is the best thing that happened to me”

Shi-Lee Telker wandered alone on the street for many years, until he arrived at the Shanty House.