Our frameworks
Every girl and boy in our Home has a special place – both in our hearts and in the appropriate framework.
At present, there are 5 major frameworks at Bet Elazraki:
The main Children's House - for boys and girls aged 6-13. The building is equipped with all that is necessary for good, comfortable living, adapted to the children's needs. Here, in thriving rooms, most of our activities take place – parties, meetings, workshops, lessons and more – this is the heart of the Home.
The teenage girls' house– for girls aged 14-18. Established in 1998 by the wonderful women of British Emunah. A separate building, exquisitely furnished and equipped, intended for the older girls who live there with their counselors. The women of Emunah continue to nurture their "baby". The teenage girls' house, located next to the main building, provides the girls with privacy, on the one hand, and enables them to lead an independent lifestyle in which they all take part in everyday tasks. The girls thus learn vital skills that allow them to develop their independence, femininity and future assimilation into society. On the other hand, they are still "at arm's length", enjoying all the care and support they require from the children's home staff. Furthermore, they take part in the various social activities at the Home.
The teenage boys' house – for boys aged 14-18. The idea to establish a house for the adolescent boys was "copied" from the teenage girls' house and works on the same principle. In the past, due mainly to a lack of resources our boys had to leave the children's home when they turned 13. Many of them returned to the streets, to the cycle of risk. At a certain stage, a building was rented for the teenage boys where they could live and function as a separate unit albeit integrated in the life of the children's home. Over the years, the boys "migrated" from one rented building to another, causing the Elazraki association to bear the formidable costs, on the one hand, while refraining from investing funds in caring for a house that isn’t "ours". However, this story had a happy end - salvation came from many generous people around the world and today our older boys also have a well equipped house in which they live and function just like our teenage girls.
The Infants Emergency Shelter – a "lifesaving station" and a safe haven for babies and children removed from their family due to immediate, life threatening situations. The shelter operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day – always open and ready to accept babies, toddlers and children brought to the children's home by court order. These babies and children are exposed to physical and emotional risks, e.g.: drug addict mothers, alcoholic or mentally ill parents, states of abandonment, neglect and abuse. The emergency shelter takes into its protecting arms any child that needs to be rescued, from newly born babies to 14 years-old children. The emergency shelter is much more than a place of tranquility and protection; it is a window of hope. While there, every child undergoes diagnosis, family background is reviewed and foster families or other appropriate permanent frameworks are located. The shelter can take in approximately 15 children. The staff lives on the premises. For reasons of discretion, the shelter is located in a separate building, distanced from the Children's Home.
The Family Intervention Center – a unique, innovative framework combining personal promotion of children along with rehabilitation of the family unit. The center was built in partnership with "Ashalim", the Israeli Joint, intended to provide solution for children who can only sleep at their parents' home. 50 children and their parents participate daily in activities. The children come from a background of severe distress, but were diagnosed with potential for rehabilitation on both personal and family level. During the day they enjoy all activities and facilities offered at the Home, including transportation to school, meals, educational and cultural enrichment, therapy sessions, plus the added value – workshops and programs with their parents. The rehabilitation program is designed for 3 years and upon successful graduation the major objective is obtained – rehabilitation of the family unit and renewed assimilation of the child in his parents' home.
