Pomegranate Giving Day for Youth Concludes as Smashing Success, $2.55 Million Raised in 24 Hours

Today, at 2 PM EST, 18 pioneering Jewish organizations from across the globe begin the long-awaited, largest-ever online Jewish giving day specifically for at-risk Jewish youth, #GivingforYouth with possibly the highest stakes ever – all or nothing.

These agencies are raising between $20,000 to $300,000 individually, with a collective goal of topping the $2 million mark, with donations being quadrupled.

To donate & view participating organizations, visit: Charidy.com/GivingforYouth

Investing in Our Youth as a Global Jewish Community

The venture is sponsored by the Brooklyn-based Our Place, together with Abe Banda of Pomegranate.

According to Rabbi Aryeh Young, Executive Director of Our Place, this 24-hour period is truly vital for so many of the participating organizations.

“There is not a single participating organization, whether in Los Angeles, Israel or Australia, helping at-risk youth that is not understaffed, underpaid and is actually able to operate at full capacity,” said Rabbi Young.

“For many organizations, this is also a final opportunity to help pay salaries of heroic Rebbeim, therapists and program directors who are available literally around the clock, often in the middle of the night, for so many in crisis.”

“We urge everyone to do whatever they can to take part in this historic effort that will literally save the lives of Jewish young men and women all over the world,” added Banda. “The situation is dire for so many, but nothing could be worse than knowing that dedicated people out there were ready to help, but weren’t able to because they lacked sufficient funding.”

In what is no longer a secret, 60 young people in the tri-state area alone have committed suicide or died from drug overdoses in less than seven months, dating back to Rosh HaShana.

Rabbi Zvi Gluck of Amudim, elaborated, “My job is to be busy saving lives and helping those who need it the most. The more time I spend on seeking donations, the less time I am available to help those who are reaching out in times of despair. Hopefully, today’s campaign will make it easier for all of us to go back to saving lives, instead of chasing dollars.”

The Charidy campaign runs through 2 PM EST on Wednesday, April 13^th and is an unparalleled opportunity to help kids at risk in the biggest way possible. Take part in the campaign by donating any amount, large or small, at charidy.com/givingforyouth.

The #GivingforYouth Campaign capitalizes on the well-known and innovative collaborative Charidy crowdfunding model to increase attention, communal support, and large donor investment for their cause.

All donations are quadrupled. The online pledges on the day of the fundraiser will be matched by three donors each organization lined up in advance, which will quadruple each gift.

All or nothing. If the organizations do not meet their online goals, none of their pledges are processed or collected.

24 hours. The online goal must be met within 24 hours, leaving no time for donors to procrastinate.

EVERYONE Fund. For donors interested in giving to all organizations at once, this fund will be distributed equally to help organizations as they race to meet their goals.

To view the participating organizations or donate, go to charidy.com/givingforyouth.

All of the participating organizations address various needs in different locations. Agencies such as Amudim and Regesh / Tekuma deal with crisis intervention, a broad approach that oversees the big picture ensuring that proper services are provided. Drop in centers and summer camp programs, including the Chananya Backer Memorial Institute, Aliya, Girls Loft by Aliya Girls, Our Place Boys, Our Place Girls, Center Girls – Mercaz Rochel, Torah Youth Center, The Center, Aish Tamid, Aliya Youth Space and summer camps, such as Project Extreme’s separate boys and girls camps and Gavz Boys provide a safe haven and positive social interaction and often serve as a springboard to other beneficial outlets and activities. Recovery and rehabilitation are essential components of the equation, with agencies including Retorno, The Living Room, the Saving Lives Coalition and the SAFE Foundation working closely with those in various stages of recovery from addiction, helping them return to a clean and sober life. Finally, educational institutions likeMatara Therapeutic Boarding School,Yeshivas Lev Shlomo, Yeshivas Ner Eliezer and Bais Menachem Youth Development Program offer alternative educational environments for Jewish youth who cannot succeed in a traditional Yeshiva setting. BJX specifically places extra emphasis on at-risk prevention, before the crisis intervention process becomes necessary.