not only for the child himself, but for his entire family!
Weekend and Off Hours Services for Special Needs Children
Fridays and Erev Chag
For parents, caring for a special needs child is a special merit, as well as a round-the-clock project. At Ezrat Achim, our goal is to support the parents of special needs children in Bet Shemesh, to partner in their mission and help ease their daily struggle in juggling the needs of their special child, along with caring for other family members.
On Friday afternoons, the children come to our centers where they are lovingly taken care of by our dedicated staff and volunteers. After being served a hot lunch, they are transported home on Ezrat Achim’s vans two hours before Shabbat. This program is tremendously helpful for the families who are able to focus on preparing for Shabbat and by the time the children come home just before Shabbat, there is a calm and happy atmosphere in the home.
Shabbat
Every Shabbat, rain or shine, our volunteers bring the children to centers in several different neighborhoods across the city. Our wonderful volunteers pick up each child, and bring them to the nearest center- which can sometimes involve a very long walk. The day is filled with fun and friendship, as well as a delicious seuda shlishit meal. Two hours after Shabbat, our vans arrive to transport the children and volunteers home. This gives families a chance to rest and gather strength for the upcoming week, as well as enabling parents to spend quality time with their other children.
Chagim (Holidays) and School Vacation
On holiday afternoons, without exception (yes, that includes Yom Kippur!), volunteers pick up each child and take them to the nearest center- which can sometimes involve a very long walk. The children enjoy a fun-filled day and a delicious meal and then about an hour after the Chag, the vans arrive to transport the children and volunteers home. This gives the parents the ability to spend quality time with their other children, while secure in the knowledge that their special needs child is having a wonderful day, cared for by the professional staff and volunteers of Ezrat Achim.
Rosh Hashanah, Sukkos, Lag BaOmer, Fast Days, Yom Ha’atzmaut…
Whenever school is closed, Ezrat Achim is open.
