From May 17-19, we will be participating in a three-day, 70+-kilometer trek in the upper Galilee called "Miles for Smiles – Bi'Shvil AKIM-Jerusalem" to raise funds for much-needed programs for residents of Jerusalem with intellectual disabilities and other developmental disorders. * * * * * AKIM-Jerusalem has, since its inception, preferred to provide support to families who continue to care for their children with disabilities at home, rather than leave the families with no option other than institutionalization. Today the Family Support Center programs include Home Care support which allows quality, one-on-one time with the member of the family who has intellectual disabilities by care-providers trained, supervised and monitored by AKIM-Jerusalem. * * * * * Other projects run by the Family Support Center include a Training Apartment workshop series, Job Opportunity Advice service and Family Counseling Services. * * * * * For those who require it, AKIM-Jerusalem provides “in-the-community” housing, operating 3 hostels and 17 apartments in the city of Jerusalem, which house close to 170 residents. Clients are referred by local and regional welfare agencies and the large majority of them originate from below average, low-income families. In many cases, the parents are no longer alive to see to their care. * * * * * Although part of the services provided in the hostels and apartments is funded by the Ministry of Welfare, leisure time activities, further education and specialized para-medical services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, etc., are not covered by the government. The costs for new construction and renovation of buildings and for equipment acquisition are also, at best, partially covered for by the government. As a consequence AKIM-Jerusalem must raise extra-budgetary money for these services from outside sources. * * * * * AKIM-Jerusalem also runs an extended school day program at the Ben Yehuda School of Special Education. The 30 children that attend this program are aged 7-15 with medium to serious intellectual disabilities. Several of the children in the group also have autism and all have severe behavioral problems. For the parents of these children private care is usually well beyond their means and there are very few options run by the State if they want to work a full-day. The aim of this project is to give these children a rich and diversified leisure curriculum, which encourages mental, emotional and physical development and is open five days a week from 2-6 p.m. * * * * * Participating in the fundraising trek involves a substantial commitment of time and effort on our part, and is very challenging physically. To the extent that we are able to raise funds, it is also very worthwhile. Thanks for your support.
$180 Donated on 23/05/2016
₪380 Donated on 19/04/2016
$100 Donated on 21/04/2016
$100 Donated on 19/04/2016
$75 Donated on 04/05/2016
$72 Donated on 19/04/2016
$72 Donated on 18/04/2016
$72 Donated on 17/04/2016
$54 Donated on 20/04/2016
$50 Donated on 18/05/2016
₪180 Donated on 01/05/2016
$36 Donated on 01/05/2016
$36 Donated on 21/04/2016
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Akim-Jerusalem, a voluntary, a-political, non-profit association, administered by parents and other representatives of the general public, that provides services to persons with intellectual disabilities of all ages and levels of and more...