Youth from the Eilat "Unistream" program came in first and second-place in the national "Young Entrepreneur of the Year" competition. 200 youth from all across Israel participated, and the Eilat group received first-place for its social initiative encouraging community activism and second place for its economic initiatives.

"Unistream," an MBA program for youth from the periphery, celebrated its first anniversary with the national competition, held at the Or Yehuda campus of Ono Academic College and co-sponsored by City Finance Group. Five Unistream groups from cities all across Israel presented their social and business initiatives. In the business competition, groups presented creative new products including a bottle-holder for babies, flavored toothpicks, a reversible belt and a special pillow for passengers on long commutes.

The Eilat group's social initiative, which has been operating for the past year, includes activities for young Sudanese refugees; volunteer activities at the Parenting Center in Eilat; aid at the "Beit Refael" annual event; Purim gift baskets for IDF soldiers on seven different bases; activities at "Yad Ezra L'Shlomit"; activities with youth at local kindergartens, and activities for the blind.

The Unistream Center is located in the Tzelim neighborhood and is organized by Hani Levi. It was established last year at the initiative of the Jewish Agency, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the municipality of Eilat and the Association of Community Centers. Out of 240 applicants, 49 10th grade students from all across the city were selected to participate in Eilat.

Programs at the Center expose local youth to the business world through workshops on business initiatives, professional skills and leadership development. The program lasts three years, and participants enroll in 10th grade and continue to through graduation, attending the center two afternoons a week. Last Wednesday, Unistream - Eilat celebrated the start of its second year with presentations before parents, families, and representatives from the municipality.

Published in "Yediot Eilat" September 28, 2007