Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fisher visits Orr Shalom

We were privileged to host the Governor of the Bank of Israel, Professor Stanley Fischer and Mrs Rhoda Fischer on a visit to Orr Shalom on Monday 21st December. 

The Governor and his wife visited the organization's therapeutic foster care center in Mevasseret where they learnt about Orr Shalom and met with volunteers and professionals. In particular they heard about the organization's unique therapeutic foster care program that cares for 82 children from across Israel with a psychiatric profile. Coming from backgrounds of severe abuse, neglect, post-traumatic disorders or acute emotional distress, these children may have been previously placed in psychiatric hospitals, emergency centers, institutional care or unsuccessful adoptions.  The children, as well as the foster families who care for them, receive specialized therapeutic care and continuous and intensive professional guidance from the social workers who lead this program.

The room was silent as we heard the story of a seven year old girl "L" who had been removed from her home at the age of five, following a childhood of severe abuse and neglect. The foster family who have cared for her for the past two years came to share their experience with us, and told us how "L" is slowly learning to trust in adults for the first time, and through consistent loving care and therapy, is starting to smile.

We then visited one of our seven adolescent girls' homes, which are safe havens and therapeutic environments for teenage girls who have been removed from their families due to traumatic abuse and neglect. These homes care up for seven girls at a time with a staff that includes house parents, a psychologist, social worker, academic tutor and counselor. Here for the first time, the children experience a healthy model of family life where they learn how to "behave normally", thrive in a loving, secure and stable environment and see for themselves that a family unit can be a positive experience. The Homes are open and the children are encouraged to participate in external activities with their normative peers, such as after-school activities and youth movements.

As we summed up the day, it was pointed out that Orr Shalom's work is geared towards ensuring that when they grow up, the children in our care will be able to become contributing members of society, rather becoming welfare cases.

The Governor and his wife were moved and impressed by Orr Shalom's work, and we in turn, were honored to host them and give them a glimpse into our work with some of Israel's most vulnerable children-at-risk.

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