Support Groups

Akim: National Association for the Habilitation of the Mentally Handicapped in Israel

Akim is a nonprofit organization that provides services for children and adults with mental disabilities and other developmental disorders. Akim provides community living arrangements, family support centers, and a café which provides vocational training and job placement for young people with mental disabilities. In addition, support services are offered to the families of disabled individuals.

Jerusalem Office:

19 Yad Harutzim St., Suite 304

P.O. Box 53409 ,

Jerusalem 91533

972-2-672-8731

info@akim-jerusalem.org.il

www.akim-jerusalem.org.il

Tel Aviv Office:

Rechov Pinchas Rozen 69

Tel Aviv

972-3-7662222

www.akim.org.il/english/

Alut: Israeli Society for Autistic Children

Alut is a nonprofit organization that works with autistic or PDD children throughout their whole lives, and provides support services for their families. Alut's Beit Lauren in Jerusalem provides personal and group support for families of autistic children. Bet Lauren refers families to services in local communities; maintains a professional hotline during the day; and runs Parents of Autistic Children during the evening hours. For details, see www.beit-lauren.org.il (in Hebrew) or call 972-3-670-9094. In addition to Beit Lauren, Alut runs lectures around the country on topics relevant to autism and PDD, and provides updated information about resources that are available. A support group for family members is also provided.

Main Office:

P.O.B. 943

Givatyaim, 53108, Israel

Tel: 972-3-571-8188

Fax: 972-3-571-8190

www.alut.org.il (English section on the web site is currently under construction.)

Alyn: Pediatric & Adolescent Rehabilitation Center

Alyn is a nonprofit organization treating physically handicapped children and adolescents. Alyn offers services for a broad range of physical disabilities, and is the only facility of its kind in Israel . Alyn includes a staff of medical specialists including physicians, nurses, paramedical services and social workers. It maintains educational staff for day care nursery, kindergarten and a study center; recreation counselors; and a Biomechanical Engineering Laboratory.  Additionally, Alyn offers respite services and safe transportation for children with special needs.

Contact Details
Located on the corner of Olswanger & Shmaryahu Levin Street
P.O.B. 9117, Jerusalem 91091
Fax: 972-2-6433653
Email: alyn@netvision.net.il

Dvora Ben Zvi, Director of In-Service Education
Tel: 972-2-6494387
Michal Bloch, Social Work Department
Tel: 972-2-6494351

www.alyn.org/index.html

Beit Issie Shapiro

Beit Issie Shapiro is an organization that provides a range of services for children with developmental disabilities and their families. These services include special education and paramedical treatment, and innovative new approaches such as hydrotherapy, complementary medicine and multi-sensory treatment. In addition to providing services for children, Beit Issie Shapiro also runs an Emotional Treatment Center, where families are offered the following services: Individual, Couple and Group Counseling; Family Therapy; Play Therapy for Children; Art & Music Therapy; and Psychiatric Consultation.

Contact Details

Issie Shapiro St .

P.O. Box 29 ,

Ra'anana 43100, Israel
Tel: 972-9-770 1222
Fax: 972-9-771 0465
E-mail: bismail@beitissie.org.il.

www.beitissie.org.il

Chimes Israel

Chimes is a multi-service agency delivering a wide range of services such as: prevocational and vocational training, several types of employment, day habilitation training in independent living skills, and individual support services for people with mental retardation who live at home in their communities.

Contact Details:

Yehudit and Meir Rubanenko Campus

13 Ha'Arad Street

Tel Aviv , Israel 69710

Tel: 972-3-644-2427

Fax: 972-3-647-4047

Israel Elwyn:

Israel Elwyn is an organization that helps children and adults with special needs become active partners in Israeli society. The services provided by Israel Elwyn include: preschool developmental centers, educational services, work activities center, adult developmental centers, small business units, supported employment services, job placement and vocational training, transitional employment, supported group homes and dental services. David Marcus is the Executive Director of Israel Elwyn; he is a native English speaker, and he is very helpful.

Contact Details:

Henrietta Szold St .

P.O.B. 9090

Kiryat HaYovel, Jerusalem , 91090

Tel: 972-2-641-5448

Fax: 972-2-643-0495

Email: info@IsraelElwyn.org.il

www.israelelwyn.org.il.