In the heart of Tel Aviv, hidden from the public eye, exists a women’s outreach center that offers much more than just food and shelter. The Red Carpet salon, supported by the generosity of Christians from around the world, is a sanctuary for some of the most vulnerable women in Israeli society. For over two decades, this center has provided essential services and, more importantly, the love and care these women never receive on the streets. Through its all-inclusive approach, the center helps restore dignity, offering destitute women a chance at a better life.
Karen Beattie, an ICEJ supporter from the United Kingdom, recently had the opportunity to visit the Red Carpet center and witness firsthand the incredible attention and care that is given to the women who come through its doors.
“When we arrived at the center, we were met with a warm welcome by Anat and her team of volunteers,” recalled Karen. “Anat has run this center for 21 years and still manages to smile and encourage all those who visit. The center 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 center in Haifa.”
On the day of Karen’s visit, around twenty women came to the Center for a variety of services, including food, clothing, showers, hair washes, and pedicures. Karen observed first-hand the loving care these women received.
“The ladies were treated with so much love and respect, which they do not receive on the streets,” she said. “It was heartbreaking to see what a life of drugs, prostitution, trafficking, and abuse has done to these women. The Red Carpet center helps to restore a degree of dignity to their lives.”
While the women are served inside, men knock on the door and wait outside to receive a plate of hot food and a drink. It is a poignant image of the center’s commitment to meeting the basic needs of all, no matter the circumstances.
The rapport that Anat and her team have built over the years with these women are truly remarkable.
“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 reflected.
“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,” added Karen.
Jannie Tolhoek, with the ICEJ Aid team in Jerusalem, accompanied Karen on her visit and explained the importance of seeing firsthand the power of their donations.
“Having the opportunity to host Karen and witness her experience at the Red Carpet center was a powerful reminder of the real-world impact of our donors’ generosity,” explained Jannie. “It is one thing to hear about the work being done, but seeing it firsthand, 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 Christians 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, the Red Carpet salon brings light into one of Israel’s darkest corners, offering hope and restoring lives. Your continued support can make an even greater impact, helping to bring hope to those in desperate need of a hand up in life.
Help us roll out the red carpet and restore dignity for more such women in Israel through our ‘Future and a Hope’ program.
