Help Preschool Kids with Disabilities in Ashkelon

Chimes Israel’s New Early Childhood Rehabilitative Daycare Center Will Serve As A Model For The Future

The project is to build and equip a fortified, state-of-the-art early childhood center for children with disabilities in Ashkelon is still in its early fundraising stage. We still need to raise $926,136 from this $2,084,245 budget.  As soon as the funds are raised, we will be able to build this state-of-the-art fortified rehabilitative early childhood center.

With the understanding that early diagnosis and proper intervention is critical for achieving the most favorable outcomes in young children with disabilities, the Ashkelon municipality has granted Chimes Israel land to build and operate a new early childhood center, and plans have been drawn for a building that can accommodate 80 children. The young children have autism, developmental delays, genetic syndromes and other disabilities, with the majority living at or below the poverty line. Chimes Israel's current early childhood facilities in Ashkelon are in four overcrowded, inadequately repurposed residential homes.

Since 1991, Chimes Israel, an Israeli not-for-profit, has become a leader in developing and providing innovative, evidence-based habilitation services and support for children, adults and seniors with disabilities and other barriers to independent living. In partnership with the government of Israel, other entities and local municipalities, Chimes Israel has grown to serve over 1,400 individuals of all ages. We provide early childhood, education, habilitation, employment and leisure services in 14 regions throughout Israel. A fundamental tenet of our services is the belief that people with disabilities can thrive with necessary support.

For over a decade, Chimes Israel has partnered with the Municipality of Ashkelon to provide disability developmental services for 60 toddlers in rented residential homes that have been modified for the purpose. Despite the less-than-ideal physical facilities, these two programs have been hugely successful. Based on anticipated population growth in Ashkelon and the expanded need for early intervention services, Chimes Israel has been asked to step up to fill the void by constructing a center to serve as a model for future services in the region and beyond. The land for the building has been provided by the Municipality in a newly developed area.

Chimes Israel’s role is to help people with disabilities achieve their greatest level of independence as members of their communities. Chimes Israel is recognized nationally and internationally for its network of high quality, human-centric services. One of its hallmarks is the Chimes Rehabilitative Daycare Centers operated in cooperation with four different municipalities. The eight existing locations currently serve over 200 children from ages six months to three years. Each of these centers combines a full range of professional resources under one roof to maximize the potential of children with developmental challenges. This model has demonstrated the success of comprehensive early intervention.

It is anticipated that a portion of the cost of design and construction will be paid by the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi) and the Ashkelon municipality. The remaining funds to support this important initiative must be raised from committed supporters in Israel and abroad.