Orr Shalom's Emergency Foster Homes – The Front Line

Orr Shalom operates eight Emergency Foster Homes that care for up to five children aged 0-5 years at any one time on an emergency basis.

These children arrive with just the clothes on their backs after a deeply traumatic experience or emergency crisis. They are cared for immediately by an Orr Shalom emergency foster family whilst the Ministry of Welfare decides if the removal from their biological home is short or long term. A child remains in the Emergency Foster Home for up to three months or until a permanent foster family is located.

Emergency foster families provide food, clothing and equipment to these vulnerable children as well as unconditional love and care.  During this time, the children are also evaluated psychologically and developmentally and are also visited by a social worker on a weekly basis. Once a permanent foster family is located, our emergency foster parents say goodbye to the child that they saved and prepare themselves to receive another child in need.

Due to the exceptionally high level of commitment and care required of emergency foster parents, we supplement Orr Shalom Emergency Foster Homes with extra support from National Service volunteers. Highly motivated, practical and caring young people, National Service volunteers are able to make an extremely valuable contribution to Emergency Foster Homes on a daily basis.

Complementing the professional staff and the emergency foster parents, National Service volunteers are more than just an extra pair of loving hands. They make a significant contribution to the day-to-day running of each house, and enhance the quality and level of attention and care provided to each child. In addition, they act as "big brothers/sisters" to the children, offering them another source of valuable assistance and companionship.

To register interest in becoming an Orr Shalom emergency foster family, please contact Irit Shachar on iritsh@Orr-Shalom.co.il or call our offices on 02 993 6900.

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