About the Shanti House
Organization for At-Risk and Life-Endangered Youth
About
Shanti House - Forty Years of Activity for At-Risk and Life-Endangered Youth in Israel
Shanti House opened in 1984 for at-risk and life-endangered youth aged 14-21, first of its kind in Israel.
Shanti House welcomes youth from across Israel, all population segments and sectors, regardless of religion, race, sex, nationality, or gender. We provide therapeutic, emotional, and practical support for youth and young adults on the edge, helping them find their way back to society and a better future.
What we do:
Provide continuous care through emergency shelter (temporary home) or long-term framework
Open 24/7, 365 days a year
Two locations: Tel Aviv and Desert Youth Village, with third location opening in Ein Kerem in 2024
Collaborate with community professionals under Ministry of Welfare supervision.
Services:
Emergency shelter for youth in immediate risk
Short-term stays until suitable placement
Long-term residence (up to 7 years) with full support through military service and transition to independence.
Entry methods:
Independent/emergency arrival
Professional referrals
Court decisions
Many arriving youth face risk situations, disconnection, abuse, neglect, complex trauma, and substance abuse issues. Without intervention, they risk further marginalization.
Shanti House offers comprehensive programs addressing therapeutic, educational, and emotional needs. Staff provides family-like support while developing individualized rehabilitation plans.
We emphasize on values of compassion, tolerance, and solidarity, practical independence skills, Social and professional development, Economic independence and Integration into society.
Since establishment, thousands of youth have chosen life: escaped street life, completed education, served in IDF, gained higher education, and successfully integrated into society as independent citizens.
Our vision:
“Returning runaway, at-risk, and homeless youth to an optimal life path by creating a supportive environment tailored to their needs.”
Creating a family experience is the cornerstone of Shanti House. The unique treatment method “The Shanti House Way,” developed by Ms. Mariuma Klein, founding CEO of Shanti House, is adapted for working with at-risk and life-endangered youth and young adults. It addresses all their needs, focusing specifically on trauma and complex post-trauma situations. The therapeutic process takes place within a home that provides a protected, safe, accepting, supportive, and loving environment. “The Shanti House Way” is based on youth’s right to choose to save their lives, and the house serves as solid ground for strengthening their ability to choose and dare to dream.
With 40 years of field experience working with at-risk and life-endangered youth, we believe it’s our duty to implement and advance all knowledge and experience in education, family support…
Words of the founder- Mariuma Klein
From the book “The Shanti House Way”:
For souls like mine who experienced extreme violence, sexual abuse, suffering, pain, and especially abandonment by parents – who should have been our anchor, security, and primary embrace – there stands a choice to disconnect or overcome, to be a victim or choose life.
A moment of enlightenment led me to my calling and life’s purpose. In clarity, I understood my path was to create a cosmic family for souls like mine who never experienced home and family. Through God’s guidance, homes were created for children like me who lived without homes.
This moment came at age 21 when I found my purpose. With this mission, nothing could stop my understanding and belief in my chosen path. I knew I came to help children like me choose life, faith, passion, optimism, and hope when they could have chosen death from their experiences. They save my life daily, as I choose life with them every day. While I couldn’t choose for them, I could and still can lead and empower them to choose life.
I deeply believe one can choose to live as a victim or grasp life with both hands.
I wanted our homes, from outer to inner layers, to reflect the optimism, joy, embrace, and love they deserve, regardless of religion, origin, or gender, because we’re all God’s children and God is one for all.
Over years of living with the children, I developed a method, language, and means to connect with them at eye level, with choice being our common ground.
This knowledge I want to share worldwide, so homes can be established following Shanti House’s model – led by love, compassion, acceptance, security, and respect between people.
Daily, I’m grateful to witness miracles in every child’s choice to save their lives. Grateful for the inspiring team of souls who chose to walk with me, giving strength, hope, and love to children who chose life.
I am blessed!
Mariuma
2000
Mariuma received the Presidential Award for Volunteerism
2000
Mariuma lit a ceremonial torch at the Independence Day ceremony
2007
Mariuma received the Honorary Citizen of Tel Aviv-Yafo Award
2016
Mariuma gave a TEDx talk in Israel
2017
Mariuma in CNN Heroes
2022
Mariuma is a recipient of the Israel Prize
2016
Mariuma at a TEDx conference discussing the Shanti House organization and the choice of life made by youth who came to Shanti Houses to save their lives
2017
Mariuma is chosen
as one of the
CNN heroes
CNN Heroes 2017, CNN Global’s Flagship Project: Mariuma was selected from thousands of candidates across 100 countries to participate in the prestigious CNN HEROES flagship project.
Mariuma and Shanti House passed all financial, organizational, and personal due diligence checks. She became one of 25 finalists – among the few Israelis to represent Israel and Shanti House children in this important project.
“I’m moved to be one of 25 global finalists and part of such an honored group of people who brought change to the world… I’m proud to represent the beautiful side of my country and especially proud to represent Shanti House’s children and graduates, who are my life’s inspiration. This nomination is thanks to them.”
Members of the organization
Judge (Ret.) Alon Rom, Chairman | Attorney
Mariuma Klein Shanti, CEO | Founder
Arle Cohen, Audit Committee | Businessman
Gadi Friber, Audit Committee | Hotelier
Doron Livnat, Board Member | Businessman
Keren Corinaldi-Gabai, Board Member | Marketing & Communications Consultant
Ran Wolf, Association Member | Urban Planner & Project Manager
Gil Gamon, Association Member | Businessman
Amir Guy, Association Member | Entrepreneur
Michael Illouz, Association Member | Strauss Philanthropy Business Manager
Adi Livnat, Observer | Businessman
Yoav Zuckerman, Observer | Founder – Zuckerman Project Management & Consulting Ltd.
Gil Katzenlenbogen, Observer | CEO Brand New Ltd. – Business Entrepreneurship
Yaron Blum, Observer | Senior Business Executive
Guri Alfi, Observer | Comedian and Actor
Partners along the way
Business companies:
- Bazan group
- New Med Energy Ltd
- Bolthaup Investments
- Strauss Group Ltd.
- Harel Insurance
- Bikurei HaSade South marketing agricultural produce
- Ashstrom
- Meitav Dash Investment House Ltd
- For Investment Ltd.
- JUS Marketing Ltd. (Gantt)
- Matan Community Investors
- Rom Israel Ltd.
- E.V.Com ltd - Lonnie Hertzikovich
- Public Trustee
- Argentoles Ltd
- Melisron Ltd
- Tidhar Group Construction Ltd.
- Hamashbir Ltd.
- Benecare foundation, Educational and vocational program
- Jerusalem Municipality
- Tel Aviv Municipality
Banks:
- Bank Hapoalim
- HSBC bank
- Leumi bank
- Mizrahi Tefahot bank
Funds:
- Marie Bendt Foundation
- 2BCommunity
- The Jerusalem fund
- The DM Charitable Trust
- Azrieli Israel Foundation
- Shelters for Israel
Private contributors:
Ms. Raia Strauss Ben Dror
Mrs. Marian and Mr. Doron Livnat
Ms. Rivka Sker and Mr. Uzi Zucker
Ms. Orit Atzmon
Mr. Sam Ben Avraham
Dr. Eliana Hava Chachmei
Ms. Neta Golan
Ms. Malka Kamer
Ms. Malka Sheldov
Ms. Neta Golan
Ms. Leslie Joyce and Mr. Zvi Meir
And many other good people along the way…
Branched organization:
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF SHANTI HOUSE
partners on the way:
Reuveni Friedan IPG – advertising agency
Mr. Avi Zeitan
Mr. Tzur Golan