UPDATE ON LVL PROGRAMS
Remedial teaching – Talya Cohen, Program Coordinator
During the past year, our program has provided remedial teaching assistance to 70 students either at Mercaz Rakefet or in their schools. The program now runs in the following schools – Ahavat Yisrael, Darchei Noam Etrog, Levine, Moriah and Orot. Many of the students receive help through our Therapy Assistance Fund. In the new school year we will be opening small learning groups to help with writing skills, reading and learning strategies with an emphasis on language.
From Risk to Opportunity, Vardit Speigelman, Social Worker.
Our staff is looking forward to running the program for a third year. We have 10 children registered for this unique program (the maximum number we are permitted to accept) which integrates special needs babies and toddlers into regular day care.
In July, our staff met with each of the parents in the program to discuss the children's progress and we were thrilled to hear their excitement about the children's progress and how much the program enabled the parents to work and better care for their families knowing that their little one was receiving the best possible care and therapies.
The continued cooperation between Mercaz Rakefet, the welfare department of Bet Shemesh, Ashalim, and the Bet Shemesh Matnas (specifically Maon Rimon of Hatchala Chachama) allows us to continue to provide this important program and see such wonderful progress for the participants.
Toy Library, Maayan Cohen, Project Coordinator.
We now have over 200 games and toys in the toy library.
Our opening hours are:
Sunday and Tuesday – 9.00 – 18.00
Monday and Thursday – 9.00 – 16.00
Wednesday – 12.00 – 16.00
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Ariel girls help sort toys |
Membership is 120 shekels a year plus a security deposit.
Our annual Pesach toy drive added many new games and toys to the toy library. We sort and count every game and puzzle before we catalogue it and put it on the shelves. Many thanks to Ariel youth group girls (leaders and older teens) who came to help us with the task.
A donation from the Happy Puzzle Company UK and an anonymous donor allowed us to add many new educational games to the library.
Success Begins at Home – Einat Wultz, speech therapist.
The program, in partnership with the Benjamin Children's Library, is now in its third year. We will commence again in October with two groups of parents – a general group of mothers and fathers and a group for orthodox mothers. We will be adding workshops to our program for kindergarten teachers and home daycare workers to teach them about child development and language and literacy in pre-school age children. The program is funded by the Jewish Federation of New York.
WHAT'S NEW AT LVL
ADHD Evaluation and Therapy Center for children, teens and parents
We are pleased to announce that we received a grant from Bituach Leumi to run this program and plan to commence by the end of 2010.
Many students are evaluated but the findings and recommendations are rarely implemented and therefore little or no progress is made. This program will evaluate 40 students (age 9– 18) and build an individual supportive therapy program that includes remedial teaching, emotional counseling and/or life coaching. The program will also offer training for parents and teachers of the students to reinforce the skills and lessons learned through our program. Contact the Center for more details.
Creative Expressive therapies now at Mercaz Rakefet
We will be offering additional music and art therapy from October 2010. These therapies are used as an alternative for children in emotional counseling. Contact the Center to register for these therapies.
Fundraising 2010
Save the date – 27 October 2010 – A Fashion Show at Eshkol HaPayis, Beit Shemesh. Please join us for an evening of fashion and glamour with well known boutiques from Jerusalem, Modiin and Ranaana modeling and selling their clothes and hats. We will also have jewelry from local and Jerusalem designers.
Support Ligdol v'Lifroach and have a great evening out.
If you would like to be involved please contact one of our function coordinators:
Tamar Lesnick – tlesnick5@gmail.com
Valerie Zwiren – vzwiren@gmail.com
New Local Business Sponsorship Program
You run your business and we'll look after the children! Your donation through our Local Business Sponsorship program will help us continue running programs for local children from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure that all children receive the assistance they need regardless of their ability to pay.
Gary Swickley, of Kosher Casual, is a 2010 Business Sponsor of LVL |
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And to the consumers in our community – look around the BS/RBS shopping center and support businesses with our sticker.
Contact Emma Link for details emma@ligdolvlifroach.org.
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Ziva and David Schapiro - May 2010 |
A National Award for our Director
Ziva Schapiro received a national award for "Excellence in Volunteerism" from the Minister of Welfare and Social Services. This recognizes her dedicated work as volunteer director of Mercaz Rakefet and Ligdol v'Lifroach Child and Family Services for the past 9 years.
Ziva is director, occupational therapist and counselor to many families in the community offering them a listening ear, advice on their child's disability (learning or physical) and how to navigate the special education system.
We wish Ziva many more active years working to help children with special needs in the Beit Shemesh community.
LVL goes "on-line"
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Join up and get updates, interesting information and articles.
Now you can donate to LVL on line. Through Israeltoremet.org you can learn more about our projects and donate through a secure giving site. It's as easy as clicking on the logo.
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Maayan Cohen, Cheryl Corn
and Ayelet Farkas |
Summer at LVL - Cheryl Corn – Program Coordinator 2010
This summer (2010) Mercaz Rakefet ran a special program to enrich Hebrew language proficiency for children experiencing difficulties with two languages. The program was provided free, as a community service, but due to limited space was restricted to only 16 participants, though many more had wanted to join. The ages of the children ranged from 4-9 years old.
There were 12 wonderful teenage volunteers who played with the children, using the games available in the 'mischakiyah' (toy library). A volunteer was usually paired with one child, though sometimes the ratio was one volunteer per 2 children. The idea was to have a fun, 45 minute session of game playing, where Hebrew was the only language spoken. The children chose from board games, coloring, imaginative play and ball playing in the 'chatzer'(outside play area). The volunteers encouraged the children to speak in Hebrew during the games.
As coordinator of this program, I am happy to report the program a success. The children were always warmly welcomed and had a fun-filled experience where they were the center of attention. As a result of this and the warm atmosphere, they understood that speaking Hebrew was in their reach.
Bat Mitzvah Chesed Program 2009/10
The 6th grade girls of Etrog Elementary School in Ramat Beit Shemesh participated for the second year in our batmitzvah chesed program. The girls sold LVL key chains to raise money and helped make didactic educational games under the guidance of Talya Cohen, Coordinator of our Remedial Teaching Program. The games are used as teaching tools by our staff in their lessons.
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Fagie Benstein - guest speaker
at our Board Breakfast |
Visitors to LVL
Mrs Fagie Benstein – past campaign director for the Jewish Federation of Toledo, Ohio.
Leora Pushett – Director of Educational Resources at Center for Jewish Education, Baltimore, Maryland.
Zac Harris – Past Director of the Helen Bader Foundation
HOW TO DONATE MONEY AND/OR TIME
In Israel: To contribute to LVL – a tax deductible organization (Tax ID no. 580436863) send checks made out to “Ligdol V’Lifroach Child and Family Services”, Sderot Tzeelim 6, Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Or by credit card by calling our Center on 02-9920497 to give your details.
In the USA: US Tax deductible contributions of at least $25.00 may be sent (and must be made payable) to PEF Israel Endowment Fund, Inc, 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 607, New York, NY 10017 with a note clearly stating that it benefit Ligdol v'Lifroach Child and Family Services.
Online:
Donate dollars or shekels online through a secure giving site log on to www.Israelgives.org/makedonation/580436863 to donate direct to LVL.
Donate your Time –If you have ideas and enthusiasm, an understanding of children in need, and have time to give to organizing events, we would like to hear from you. Please contact emma@ligdolvlifroach.org.
