ByRosa Doherty, Rosa Doherty
1 min read
ByRosa Doherty, Rosa Doherty
Hackney Council has honoured Charedi charity Kol Boniach for its commitment to helping at-risk teenagers over the past 16 years.
At a reception on Tuesday, the council's speaker, Sade Etti, said that "to witness Kol Boniach's work has been inspiring. They have helped over 430 teenagers, relocating them to new homes and ensuring they learn new skills."
She told the charity's leaders: "You are an example of what we need in our community and our society."
The charity was established by Stamford Hill activist Rabbi Osher Schapiro and works mainly with teenage boys in London, Manchester and Gateshead.
A testimony written by one of its success stories was read out at the award reception at Hackney Town Hall.
Adam Levy, 26, from Stamford Hill, was helped by Kol Boniach after his father was sent to prison and his mother died from cancer.
"I was a 14-year-old alone in the world. I spent my days wandering aimlessly and headed towards a world of juvenile delinquency. They gave me help with training, finding a job, giving me therapy sessions, warm meals and a sweet home." He is now happily married with children and is running a business.
Praising Kol Boniach's work, Councillor Michael Desmond said: "We see a lot of bad things about bad people in the papers but this is a good story about good people.
"People know if there is a problem in the family, they can go to the charity and get support."
Rabbi Schapiro said that "without the tireless work of our volunteers, I'd have given up. The work we do relies on the charity of our community. We work out of our shuls and our homes. It is changing the lives of the young people that matters."