Israel

Lamitnadev

In Beit Shemesh (approx. 85,000 inhabitants) and the surrounding area there is a diverse population encompassing new immigrants from Ethiopia and Caucasia (Kazakhstan), single parent families, and a veteran population – all these sectors have one thing in common – daily socio-economic distress.

This distress is manifest both in the difficulty of supplying basic needs such as, food, clothing and shelter, and socio-emotional needs – educational and employment gaps, lack of environmental and emotional confidence, exposure to various risk factors and the list goes on and on.

Lamitnadev’s aim is to redresses social, economic and educational inequities and to implement projects which will achieve these goals and enable the young people of these communities to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to improve their situation.

Keren Malki

Keren Malki’s work is based around the idea that no place is better for a child with special needs than that child’s own home. Neurological disorders, severe illness and developmental problems in childhood present major challenges in the lives of all concerned. Keren Malki’s work  focuses on providing specialized equipment and home-based therapies. The overall goal of Keren Malk is to support families who wish to care for their special-needs child at home, rather than to institutionalise these children.

Micha Society for Deaf Children

Early identification of hearing impairment during the critical stages of infancy and early childhood can significantly increase a deaf child’s chances of integrating with hearing peers. Micha’s goal is to treat, educate and rehabilitate deaf and hearing impaired infants and young children (0-6) so they can enjoy an active lifestyle and integrate into mainstream school and the hearing society.

Centre for the Advancement of the Blind

The Center’s programs are geared toward the rehabilitation of the blind and visually impaired with the aim of enabling them to cope with daily life and motivating them to achieve their ambitions. Programmes include summer camps for Israel’s blind and vision impaired youth.

Haifa Centre for Chi.L.D

Click here to watch a short film about the Haifa Centre

The Haifa Center for Children with Learning Disabilities (Chi.L.D.) is a dynamic therapeutic center with a vision to provide children and their families with vital educational, social and therapeutic services. They operated an Early Childhood Rehabilitative Day Care Center (ECR Center) which addresses the needs of developmentally delayed toddlers, a nursery and two kindergartens. By treating children with learning disabilities and a myriad of other problems the aim of the Haifa Centre is to provide opportunities for success.

Hiyot

Hiyot’s mission is to respond to the difficulties faced by the Ethiopian Israeli community and help them integrate into all aspects of Israeli society. Hiyot runs after-school enrichment center which provide children with homework support, enriching cultural activities and student mentors as well as early childhood development programs and youth outreach programmes. These programmes aim to provide Ethiopian Israeli youth-at-risk with a positive, safe and informal meeting place while supporting each child’s personal development and preventing youth vagrancy, alcohol and drug abuse.

Kehillat Netzach

Kehillat Netzach is an afternoon day care program whose purpose is to allow parents to  work knowing that their children are safe, comfortable and enjoying themselves in a home-like atmosphere.  Staff provide a framework for the children to learn about Israeli and Jewish holidays, prayers and ceremonies.  Children participate in cooking and crafts and various activities related to Judaism.  Special events such as theatretrips, movies and inflatable “bouncy castle” parties take place frequently too. A summer day camp,  youth group activities and our Bar/Bat Mitzvah group continue of this educational process.

Jordan Valley Development Fund

The goal of  MAPAL is to assist immigrant families in educating bilingual children with the aim of their successful integration into the Israeli school system. MAPAL offers an afternoon care center, evening school and holiday programmes for children aged 4-17. Children may attend holiday camps at Sukkot, Hanukkah, Passover and over the summer vacation. Here they can study music, dancing, painting, maths, English and Hebrew and learn more about the traditions, culture and history of the Jewish people.

SELAH Crisis Managment

SELAH’s programmes  reach out to children who have experienced violence and disaster, to provide immediate aid and practical solutions for their most immediate problems, as well as compassionate, one-to-one care. SELAH’s aim is to “being there” for the child, listening, alleviating fears and helping to restore the shattered sense of safety.  Bringing these children together through special retreats, wilderness activities, adventure experiences, and nature excursions strengthens their connection to Israel and provides space for sharing and developing coping skills.

Sha’ra Hanegev Hydrotherpay & Rehabilitation Centre

Hydrotherapy Centre in Shaar HaNegev is dedicated to the rehabilitation of those who have disabilities, but also for those injured in terror attacks. The centre has a pool for water therapy as well as gymnastic and exercise rooms and offers 2,000 therapy sessions each month. Hydrotherapy sessions build confidence, aid rehabilitation and improve mobility. In addition they provide important vital opportunities for disabled children to participate in sports and experience the  feeling of well-being that water-based activities can generate.

Simcha Layeled

Simcha Layeled is dedicated to improving the quality of life and social welfare of disabled and seriously ill children.  They offer personal tutoring and recreational activities tailored to meet individual special needs  and a “big brother/sister” program. Simcha Layeled provides year round activities in 10 children’s wards in hospitals in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Rehovot and Raanana.  Support and recreation meetings are available for parents, along with trips and holidays for the children throughout the year, including winter and summer sleep-away camps.

The Therapeutic Riding Centre of Israel

The Therapeutic Riding Center of Israel is dedicated to improving the lives of disabled individuals through Animal Assisted Therapies ( AAT). The Center offers therapeutic riding lessons, outdoor riding trails and a dog-assisted therapy programmes with the aim of improving the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functions of the participants. Children with a wide range of physical and emotional disabilities, children with cerebral palsy, young blind children and children who have suffered trauma  due to an accident or terror attack participate in the programmes on offer.the rhythmic motion and warmth of the horse can relax the muscles, give a general feeling of comfort and improve muscle toning and posture. Therapeutic riding can facilitate cognitive and sensory motor development in young children with special needs, as well as help develop a sense of responsibility and self-confidence in older children.