More Information
We at Orr Shalom strive to adapt our settings to the children. In this spirit we opened a varied network of structures to meet their different needs that are categorized as four major tracks:
1. Foster Programs
Central Foster Program has the structure of a traditional foster program, catering to Central Israel, providing short- or long-term love and care for children ages 0-21. Additionally, our Therapeutic Foster Program is a unique framework for children who have recently been released from psychiatric facilities and require a very intimate setting.
2. Therapeutic Family Group Homes
Orr Shalom's first program, started over 25 years ago, consists of a large home in a residential neighbourhood where 7-11 children live in a family setting with a married couple serving as house parents. Here, the children experience a normative model of family life and parental care, go to local schools and participate in community activities.
3. Intensive Care Dormitories
"Friendship Home" for extremely disturbed boys aged 8-14 who have dropped out of all former settings and have no place else to go; and "Beit Goldschmidt," a parallel residential facility for girls ages 11-14 who are victims of serious abuse and suffer from behavioural disturbances. Both programs provide an intimate institutional setting for children who cannot fit into a family type program, due to their primary relationship dysfunction and their propensity to continue the pattern of abuse. There is a special education school on both campuses. These children, whose lives have been a series of crises and difficulties, experience a family setting and for the first time in their lives they know what it is to feel warmth and love, to have someone consider their needs. In addition to the warm and supportive house parents and family environment, the children are treated by a dedicated professional staff of psychologists, social workers and special counsellors, national service girls, soldier-teachers and tutors, in an effort to break the cycle of deep distress.
4. Prevention Programs in the Community
After school centres and parent and child centres are programs geared toward working with the family as a whole in an attempt to avoid removing the children from their biological families. The "HaZula" therapeutic second-hand store provides vocational opportunities, and the Graduates Home provides additional support for Orr Shalom graduates 18 and up who have no
alternative support system or place to live.
For more information please contact us.