Youth Renewal Fund is the philanthropic and strategic funding partner for the Darca Schools Network in Israel. Darca provides Israeli high school students in lower income communities—regardless of ability, religion, birthplace, geographic or socio-economic status—an excellent education designed to improve social mobility. The schools emphasize academic achievement and the values of tolerance, democracy and active participation in national and community life.
Israel currently faces one of the largest and fastest growing gaps in educational achievement between rich and poor. An under-educated population puts Israel’s predominantly knowledge-based economy at risk. Through Darca schools, Israeli children discover and harness the power of education as a means to improve quality of life for themselves, their communities and their country.
Since Youth Renewal Fund’s inception in 1989, the goal has always been to spearhead educational innovations to improve social mobility in Israel. 34 years later, this foundation remains stronger than ever. Youth Renewal Fund seeks to serve as hub for educational research and innovation in the US and thanks to our partnership with Darca, we are able to strategically implement our findings in Israel. Looking forward, YRF looks to expand this foundational component and, with the help of Darca, leverage education as a means to a strong and prosperous Israel.