In South Tel Aviv neighborhoods, late-night child wandering is a significant issue, primarily affecting children from the undocumented population in Israel. This behavior is often linked to incidents of violence, endangering the children’s physical and emotional well-being. According to municipal data, in 2022, South Tel Aviv’s asylum seeker population included approximately 30,000 people, with about 2,500 children aged 6-12 and 3,500 under the age of 6.
One of the primary locations for this harmful activity is "Retsifim Park" – a large public park situated near the old central bus station. The area is marked by an unsafe atmosphere and issues such as drug trafficking, prostitution, and crime, which intensified during the COVID-19 crisis.
To address the issue of child wandering, a mapping process was conducted, revealing several key insights. The problem is particularly prevalent on summer vacation nights. Lacking safe and suitable spaces, and deterred by the unsafe atmosphere of the park, neighborhood children often turn to alternatives such as parking lots, roads, and other unsafe public areas.
Many families in the neighborhood, primarily from the asylum seeker community, face severe financial hardship. Children are often observed wandering late into the night, frequently taking on caregiving responsibilities for much younger siblings without adequate skills or support. Some reported that their parents work during these hours, and nearly half said their parents were unaware of their whereabouts.
These children are regularly exposed to violence and unsafe situations with little to no protection or guidance. This unstable environment not only jeopardizes their safety but also distorts their understanding of acceptable behavior, posing significant challenges to their development and well-being.
At "Retsifim Park", the children were diverse in age. Despite the park’s well-lit central area, they often gathered in the darker surrounding spots, spending their time eating snacks, teasing each other, and mocking nearby adults. Most came alone, while some brought younger siblings.
Creating a Social-Educational Solution
In 2021, the "Retsifim Park" project was launched in Neve Sha’anan through a collaboration between the Community, Culture, and Sports Administration, Mesila (Assistance for Asylum Seekers and Migrant Workers), and Urban95. The initiative aimed to create a safer environment and provide a suitable public space for neighborhood children and parents.
The project worked on multiple fronts to enhance and improve the park, and introduced the concept of a “Play Street” in the neighborhood to create additional safe and welcoming spaces for children and their families. Following the pilot’s success in Neve Sha’anan, the Play Street became a monthly event funded by the Community, Culture, and Sports Administration. The initiative also strengthened ties with community coordinators, who came to know the children by name, as well as their parents and personal stories.
However, the activity primarily addressed afternoon hours, leaving the issue of nighttime wandering unresolved. We sought a safe and engaging solution that would attract the children, stimulate their development, and provide a consistent space where they knew they could come to play safely.
To this end, the Community, Culture, and Sports Administration allocated a small two-room building with a yard and garden near "Retsifim Park". A team of workers and volunteers was assembled to operate the space and welcome the children.
Initially, we tried introducing Salta activities but faced several challenges. Most of the children arrived without their parents, while many of the workshops are designed to strengthen the parent-child bond. Facilitators also had to be highly flexible and creative in adapting the activities and navigating the cultural and language barriers.
In another attempt to address the issue, we assembled a “starter kit” for the play space – a curated selection of age-appropriate games for children aged 2 to 9 that could be played individually, in groups, or with adults. During the pilot, we observed which activities resonated with the children, identifying the games that captured their interest and kept them engaged.
Ultimately, the solution evolved into free-play activities within the protected structure adjacent to the park, where children are invited to come, stay, and play. The staff operates the space late into the night, tailoring activities to the ages and needs of the children and toddlers.
Characteristics of the activity in the space:
Partnering municipal units:
The Community, Culture, and Sports Administration; Mesila.
