Thanks to UK donors the UK branch of ICEJ is able to send funds to many projects, reaching all sectors of Israeli society.  We support the Red Carpet Centre in Tel Aviv on a monthly basis and recently Karen Beattie was able to visit and see for herself the incredible loving care given there.

“When we arrived at the centre, we were met with a warm welcome by Anat and her team of
volunteers. Anat has run this centre for 21 years and still manages to smile and encourage all those
who visit. The centre has a small salon for hair, feet, and nails, a rest area, showers, and a dining
area. At present, it is open two days a week, and there are plans in place to open another centre in
Haifa.”

On the day of Karen’s visit, around twenty women came to the centre for a variety of services,
including food, clothing, showers, hair washes, and pedicures. Karen observed the loving care these
women received, noting: “The ladies were treated with so much love and respect, which they do not receive on the streets. It was heart-breaking to see what a life of drugs, prostitution, trafficking, and abuse has done to these women. The Red Carpet Centre helps to restore a degree of dignity to their lives.”

While the women are served inside, men knock on the door for food and wait outside to receive a
plate of hot food and a drink. It is a poignant image of the centre’s commitment to meeting the basic
needs of all, no matter the circumstances.

The relationship and trust that Anat and her team have built over the years with these women are
truly remarkable. Karen reflected: “This relationship and trust have taken many years to establish, but you cannot help but feel the love that the entire team has for these broken women.”

Karen continued, saying, “This is a part of Israel that is ‘unseen.’ The poverty and degradation are
such a contrast to Jerusalem and need our support and prayers.”

Jannie Tolhoek, an ICEJ staff member in Jerusalem, accompanied Karen on her visit and reflected on
the importance of seeing first-hand the power of their donations, saying:
“Having the opportunity to host Karen and witness her experience at the centre was a powerful
reminder of the real-world impact of our donors’ generosity. It is one thing to hear about the work
being done, but seeing it first-hand, with the women whose lives are being impacted, makes all the
difference. The love, dignity, and hope being restored here are a direct result of the support we
receive from donors around the world. This is where the heart of our mission truly meets the reality
of change.”

Through the generosity of donors and dedicated volunteers, light is brought into one of Israel’s dark
corners, offering hope and restoring lives. Your continued support can make an even greater impact,
helping to bring hope to those who need it most.

Let us help roll out the red carpet and restore dignity—donate today and make a difference.