"Dror" (Freedom) - the first therapeutic emergency center for GLBT youth in Israel "Dror" is a unique center for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender adolescents, who experience rejection and alienation based on their sexual orientation. The center is a part of the unique solutions system of "Hassut Hanoar" authority, in the Ministry of Labor and Welfare, in cooperation with Tel-Aviv-Yaffo Municipality, "Shahal". "Dror" is a temporary shelter, which provides basic home conditions for 9 male and female adolescents, for a period of no longer than 6 months. Besides offering a safe home, a warm bed, and meals, it also provides mental and social support, direction in finding future solutions, as well as enrichment and educational activities. Crisis intervention and counseling are given in a safe and accepting atmosphere, and by a professional, open and supportive staff. "Dror" is the first and only center designed to answer the needs of out-of-home GLBT youth in Israel, and one of the only related institutions in the world which is operated by government establishments. The center was opened in May 2002. Until this year, there were no special services offered to the gay, at risk youth in Israel. Previous intervention attempts failed due to lack of knowledge, insensitivity to specific needs of GLBT youth, and negative attitudes among professionals. We hope that "Dror" will be a first stage in increasing public awareness and creating social change. Target Population: Male and Female adolescents, 14-18 years of age, with gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender sexual identity. As a result of their sexual identity many of these adolescents: Have left their homes by choice or force, or were emitted from other institutions need to be taken-out immediately from their families, due to a background of physical or mental abuse are on a verge of running away from home. While wandering on the streets, they are facing the risk of crime, drug-abuse and prostitution. Goals and targets: Short-Term Goals: To provide an immediate shelter and basic home conditions for homeless at-risk GLBT adolescents. To prevent deterioration due to crime, drug-abuse, prostitution or suicide attempts. Staying in "Dror" will decrease wandering hours and the chances of facing these dangers. To provide crisis intervention and short-term therapy (personal and in a group): this includes counseling which focuses on examining personal experiences, reinforcing attitudes and behaviors which are aimed to aid self acceptance and encourage feelings of purpose and meaning in life; all done in a safe and supportive atmosphere. To decrease anti-social behavior, and to increase the ability to create trusting relationships with formal and informal figures as well as with peers. To bridge and mediate between the adolescents and their families, in circumstances that returning home is an option (project running by "Noam"). To plan personal, long-term, out-of-home placement solutions when returning home is not an option. To find an appropriate educational or occupational setting for each adolescent. Long-Term Goals: To develop an information center on the treatment of GLBT youth: which includes collecting data and increasing public knowledge and awareness on the various needs and characteristics of GLBT at risk youth. To provide knowledge and direction to professionals working with GLBT youth, in order to guide them towards an attitude change and to help them acquire improved treatment skills. To develop and expand the out-of-home placement solutions and fosterage services, as well planning additional support systems for GLBT homeless adolescents in the future. Paths of Referral to Beth Dror Adolescents can refer themselves, based on information given by friends, acquaintances, or through advertising and information bulletins. Services that refer youth include: Therapeutic services in the community (the service for the girl in distress situations, departments for advancement of youth, welfare workers, probation officers) Emergency services (police, first aid stations) Emergency hot-lines ("Eran" - psychological first aid, "The white line" - for GLBT community) "Elem" patrols and the GLBT organizations in Israel Principles: The house is operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It holds no more than 8 adolescents at a time. Our policy is to allow the adolescents to stay for a period of no longer than 6 months. The staff and professional factors in the community will make sure that the out-of-home placement solution is appropriate for the educational and therapeutic needs of each youth. "Dror" functions as a shelter, and provides basic home conditions, such as lodging, bathing, hygiene, health and food. The center provides enrichment and educational programs according to the needs of the adolescents living in "Dror". The adolescents follow binding/obligatory rules and norms, as an inseparable part of the center's organizational culture. The adolescents are expected to take an active part in the home's maintenance and its regular household tasks. During the first stage, the adolescents stay at the center for the purposes of diagnosis and evaluation. Only after the staff decides that staying at the center can help them, a personal plan is built for each youth. The staff includes: a manager, social worker, matron, educational guides and volunteers. Our vision is to become a therapeutic, educational and social center for all of the LGBT youth population in Israel.