At-risk youth from culturally marginalized groups suffer multiple disadvantages - social, cultural and economic, are more prone to suffer neglect and therefore more likely to de velop dangerous behaviors in school, at home, and with friends. Lacking supportive envi ronment, these pressures often lead to violence, addictions, substance abuse and even sui cidality. Nurturing the mental strength of these youth is fundamental to their survival, and to their ability to develop coping mechanisms that allow them to handle the challeng es and difficulties they face, as well as the self confidence, motivation, sense of purpose, maturity and tenacity that are crucial for them to ‘turn the corner’ and improve their life chances. At present, however, the overburdened welfare system in Israel fails to deliver adequate integrative solutions, especially to youth from disadvantaged groups in the pe riphery.