The Village Way
The Village Way is a transformative educational philosophy developed at Yemin Orde Youth Village that empowers youth at risk to overcome adversity and thrive.
Rooted in the belief that it takes a village to raise a child, every child needs a supportive adult who believes in them, and every young person is searching for meaning, the Village Way equips educators with a shared language, clear values, and practical tools to build nurturing, purpose-driven environments.
With ten core components and a track record of success, this approach turns schools and youth villages into places where teens feel safe, seen, and inspired to lead lives of meaning and contribution.
10 Core Components of the Village Way
Connect youth to shared values, find meaning in tradition and holidays, and develop a sense of national belonging.
Create clean, welcoming spaces that feel safe and respectful and convey communal values.
Helping youth find strength in their personal and cultural history.
Guiding youth to imagine a better future and help them take steps towards it.
(Repairing the World) Encourage youth to give back, take responsibility, and feel proud of their valued role in the wider community.
(Healing the Heart): Support emotional healing and turn struggles into opportunities of growth.
Foster honest, respectful conversations between youth and adults.
Build a strong, values-based community where everyone feels they belong.
Create a warm, personal environment where youth feel they are part of a caring community, not just a system.
Make sure every young person has an adult who shows up and cares.
.png)
Did you know...
Educators actually map out lesson plans and activities using the Village Way circle. This helps ensure they are creating activities that are aligned with the values of the Village Way.
-
SkyConnect youth to shared values, find meaning in tradition and holidays, and develop a sense of national belonging.
-
EarthCreate clean, welcoming spaces that feel safe and respectful and convey communal values.
-
Anchors in the PastHelping youth find strength in their personal and cultural history.
-
Anchors in the FutureGuiding youth to imagine a better future and help them take steps towards it.
-
Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World)Encourage youth to give back, take responsibility, and feel proud of their valued role in the wider community.
-
Tikkun HaLev (Healing the Heart)Support emotional healing and turn struggles into opportunities of growth.
-
DialogueFoster honest, respectful conversations between youth and adults.
-
Community of MeaningBuild a strong, values-based community where everyone feels they belong.
-
Minimizing Institutional CharacteristicsCreate a warm, personal environment where youth feel they are part of a caring community, not just a system.
-
Reliable Representations of Parental WholenessMake sure every teen has an adult who shows up and cares.
Learn from the Experts
For those who want to dive deeper into the heart of the Village Way, we recommend two essential reads. The Village Way by Dr. Chaim Peri lays the foundation of our educational philosophy, offering timeless insights drawn from decades of work with youth at risk. The Village Way: Educating Towards a Life of Meaning by Dotan Levi builds on this vision with hands-on stories and practical guidance for educators and supporters alike. These books capture the spirit, values, and day-to-day tools that make the Village Way so impactful.
The Village Way: Educating Towards a Life of Meaning
By Dotan Levi
This practical guide brings the Village Way to life through real stories from the field, showing how educators can use our values-based approach to create lasting change for youth and communities.
The Village Way
By Dr. Chaim Peri
A thoughtful introduction to the core principles of the Village Way, this book shares the philosophy that guides our work and the belief that every young person deserves a meaningful place in society.