British Friends in Major Donation to Orr Shalom

From left to right: Sandra Parnell, Chair of British Friends, Tony Abrahams, Phyllis Abrahams, Ruth Gertler, Ivor Gertler, Treasurer British Friends and Michael Fisher, Development Director, Orr Shalom

Israel - May 2011: A delegation from British Friends of Orr Shalom, that supports Orr Shalom, Israel’s largest non-profit caring for 1,300 children and youth at risk who have been removed from their homes by the social welfare services due to severe abuse and neglect, flew to Israel to present Orr Shalom with a 50,000nis donation.

British Friends supports Orr Shalom’s therapeutic family group home in Mevasseret, one of 24 such homes across Israel that provide a safe, loving, therapeutic environment to the children in Orr Shalom’s care. This donation will be used to support children in family group homes.

Orr Shalom’s therapeutic family group homes each accommodate up to eleven children (aged 6-18) who were removed from their families. With a married couple serving as house parents, and a psychologist, social worker, academic tutor and counselor on staff, the children live in a supportive environment and are provided with a chance for a better future.

In addition to 230 children in the 24 therapeutic family group homes, Orr Shalom also cares for 790 children in foster care in the center of Israel, 90 children in an award-winning therapeutic foster program in Mevasseret, 40 babies and toddlers in eight emergency foster homes around Israel, 40 boys and girls with extreme behavioral disturbances who live in two closed facilities, and over 100 children in preventative care programs.

British Friends of Orr Shalom hold regular fund-raising events such as golf tournaments, bridge afternoons and quiz evenings to raise funds for Orr Shalom children.  For more information about British Friends of Orr Shalom’s activities, or to donate please contact ivor.gertler@orrshalom.org.uk.