Turning Point (Nekudat Mifneh) brings together five programs treating youth at risk, using tools of employment and entrepreneurship to address their problems in the transition to work. It was established in 2006 at Ashalim’s initiative and comprises: NFTE – Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship; Reshatot (Networks) – developing skills and contacts for working life; (Assinu Esek (It’s a Deal) – setting up and supporting business projects; Derekh Hamelekh, (The King’s Way) – a mentoring program of vocational training and job placement; and Universita Be’am – introductory university courses in different fields. Apart from responses to participants, Turning Point aspires to contribute to services working with youth at risk by strengthening the aspects of preparing for working life.
The development, implementation and funding of Turning Point are shared by the public sector, the business sector and the Third Sector.
The evaluation study was conducted in 2009-10 to provide implementers with information on program functioning as a basis for improvement and expansion. The study included an integrative evaluation of Turning Point programs, relating to common issues of implementation and an in-depth examination of two programs: NFTE and King’s Way.
The study reviewed the overall initiative and compared its working principles against the principles emerging from the literature on programs of transition to work for youth at risk. The study indicates that Turning Point shares several of the factors of success such as imparting soft skills and support by a significant adult. However, it recommends adding principles of action that are not fully implemented in the program: long-term support, individual attention and involvement of the business sector from the early stage of program development.
The study findings were presented to program staff and the steering committee, contributing to the working processes of both the umbrella program and the programs evaluated in depth. Attempts were made to draw conclusions from what was learned about the programs and changes were introduced to their implementation and general management.
The report includes the executive summaries of the evaluations of NFTE and King’s Way, the reports of which were published in 2011. The current study was funded with the assistance of Ashalim, together with the First International Bank and the Matan organization – Investing in the Community.