Volunteers Needed to Help the Families of the Sick and Disabled As Part of a New Yad Sarah Program

A new and exciting program was formed this week between the Social Services Branch's Volunteer Unit and the local Yad Sarah Branch: "Im Lev HaMishpacha (With the Family Heart)." The project is aimed at the families (below the age of 60) that are treated by the Social Services Branch, such as sick families or families with disabilities. The project is also suitable for individuals that are ill or disabled. The initiative to provide these families with special treatment came from Yad Sarah, who successfully runs a similar project in the Jerusalem area. During Yad Sarah Chairman Eli Rosenberg's first meeting with his project team and Makom head Yoela Tavor, they decided to increase the cooperation between the two organizations and run the programt in Modiin Maccabim Reut as well. Tavor noted that families dealing with sickness and disability often experience complicated and continuous breakdowns. Many of the family members' physical separation from their family members make the communal aspects of the city especially important for them.

As part of the program's framework, a Yad Sarah member will come to the family's home once a week and assist its members either the entire family or the specific sick or disabled family member, according to that particular family's needs. The program provides social support for the patient and his or her family. Families will be referred by the Social Services Branch to the project coordinator, who will have direct contact with the family's social worker. The process of matching a volunteer with a family will be done by Yad Sarah's project coordinator, and the volunteers will receive professional guidance on working with the families by the Social Services Branch.

We have also received word that Yad Sarah is in need of additional volunteers that would be willing to give their time and participate in this great program. Those who are interested are asked to contact he Project Coordinator at 0546220118, or the Volunteer Coordinator, Mrs. Ronit Stigman, at 0732326420.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

7:55 PM