Sea of Friends

Developing children’s self-confidence and interpersonal skills through rowing

The Sea of ​​Friends program is designed for children at risk and with special needs in elementary school (grades 3-6) and secondary school, and operates out of the Daniel Center for Rowing.

The program is designed to 

1. Develop participants’ self- image and self-confidence;
2. Develop participants’ interpersonal and communication skills by teaching active listening, respect, listening, and inclusion.

The program combines group work sessions and rowing at sea or on the Yarkon River over 15 weekly three-hour sessions led by expert facilitators. The sessions comprise an opening workshop, a water activity in which the students ‘go into the world’ to face challenges, and a closing workshop to reflect on the process. Each group comprises no more than 15 students to ensure each participant receives the attention and support they need. Students gain a lot from overcoming challenges which may have previously seemed insurmountable, and achieving these in a group context bolsters their self-confidence.  

This meaningful, powerful program is in high demand and scalable to as many students as possible. The Tel Aviv Foundation is seeking a philanthropic investment to engage as many students as possible in this positive growth experience.

Requested donation (over three years): $360,000