Emotional Resilience

JICC strengthens emotional resilience in East Jerusalem by empowering women and children to cope with daily stress, anxiety, and the challenges of ongoing conflict. Built on MiniActive’s network of 2,000 women volunteers across 14 neighborhoods, the initiative offers accessible, community-based responses that reduce stigma, protect privacy, and foster stability in families and communities.

Impact

193

Women gained tools for resilience, self-care, and empowerment

335

Children participated in emotional processing and creative expression workshops

Hours of activities monthly

Context

Women and children in East Jerusalem face growing stress and anxiety from conflict, instability, and lack of accessible mental health services.

Stigma around therapy and the need for privacy make traditional options difficult to access. JICC’s community-based resilience model provides culturally sensitive, accessible support that equips women and children with coping tools while strengthening families and community trust.

Strategies

Women’s Resilience Courses

Practical trainings in body-mind balance, compassion, healing, and personal empowerment (“Keys to Success”), along with therapeutic sports sessions.

Children’s Emotional Processing

Creative art workshops (“Safe Spaces,” “My Voice is in My Art”), experiential gardening (“Planted and Rejoiced”), and emotional support sessions across nearly all East Jerusalem neighborhoods.

Community Empowerment

Leadership development for 600+ core MiniActive women who extend the program’s reach, deliver rights-based lectures, and connect residents with municipal and national services.

Relevant Staff

Intisar Qaraeen

Director of MiniActive

Email:

jicc@jicc.org.il