School alone cannot bring about meaningful and long-term change. In each elementary school we have created a Learning Center that operates after school hours. The goal is to achieve a learning continuum and to work intensively with each child. The Centers are active three days a week and the participants benefit from tutoring (with emphasis on closing scholastic gaps) and a variety of recreational and social enrichment activities. This takes place in a warm and supportive environment that enables the children to positively use their leisure time while strengthening their self-confidence and improving their social skills. In addition, the children are provided with a meal while at the center.

The staff of the centers receives support and guidance from Bakehila and includes professional teachers, Year of Service youth and other volunteers (students, National Service girls, youth, etc.)

Mentoring Children 

Each Year-in-Service volunteer (Shinshin) works closely with one or two children meeting once a week for an hour. The Shinshin defines the goals for the mentoring process with the particular child: the focus may be educational or social development, or both. If the focus is scholastic development, the tutoring usually occurs during school hours; if the focus is social development, the Shinshin will typically visit the child at home, spending time with the family, as well.