aleh 2013 end of year report
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ALEH 2013 END OF YEAR REPORT
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Mission StatementIntroductory Remarks AccomplishmentsDateline 2013PartnersFinancials Challenges & Vision
ALEH believes that every child, regardless of disability, has the right to benefit from the best available care, develop to his or her fullest potential and live a quality life.
Today, over 650 children with cognitive and physical disabilities receive state-of-the-art medical, educational and rehabilitative care in ALEH’s four facilities. In addition, ALEH provides thousands of outpatient treatments annually. Without ALEH, many of these children would otherwise spend their lives in hospitals, with no opportunities for rehabilitation, education, and the love and warmth of a home.
Thanks to ALEH, these children are able to live in much the same way as non-disabled children: attending school, participating in
vocational programs and enjoying activities such as swimming at the beach or touring the countryside. Integrative activities involving family, volunteers, school children and IDF soldiers promote inclusion of the disabled within the community at large. At the heart of ALEH’s success is the intensely personal relationship that develops between caregivers and the special children they care for.
As a result, the children at ALEH are developing far beyond the boundaries of their initial prognoses. ALEH has succeeded in proving that within every child lies the seed of hope and potential, a spirit that can communicate, learn, and enjoy friendship, laughter and love.
ALEH MissionStatement
05 |
It is our honor and pleasure to present you with a comprehensive report of ALEH’s accomplishments over the year 2013.
Looking back over the years to a time when families with severely disabled children were shunned and ashamed, lost and confused, we are proud to have led the change for acceptance, awareness, and quality care. The hope, dignity and acceptance of our special needs children today is in large part due to ALEH’s tireless commitment to enable every child to benefit from optimal care and therapeutic opportunities in order to realize their potential. Your friendship and support have been so meaningful to us – and to the children - over the years. Like every family, we have shared pride, joy, and tears, touching moments and milestones. Even more so, the bond that connects us is the choice we have made: to love these children, to
nurture them, and to give them every opportunity to grow. Together, we have chosen to see beyond their disabilities to the spirit and potential within.
Many challenges await us this coming year. As we move forward with new programs, new technology, and new avenues of hope, we need your continued partnership more than ever. Our children are proof that it is possible to live a life of dignity and quality, even for the most vulnerable and dependent. We ask that you continue to walk with us on the path that we have chosen – on behalf of those who need us all along the way.
May you and your dear ones be blessed with the hope and potential you bestow upon our children every day of their lives.
Yours sincerely,
Dear Friends,
Yehuda MarmorsteinDirector General, ALEH
Doron Almog, Major General (Res) Chairman, ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran
Over the years, ALEH’s steadfast commitment has changed the face of rehabilitative care in Israel. In 2013, we continued the trend, with ALEH serving as a center of excellence for people with disabilities in Israel. At the same time, we have developed a number of cutting-edge rehabilitative programs that are being studied and replicated worldwide.
Jet Streams installed in ALEH Negev’s residential courtyard provide multi-sensory, therapeutic cool fun for residents.
The introduction of iPads is an outstanding technological tool in ALEH’s schools, enabling students to learn concepts, language and communication, and offering greater motivation to actively participate in educational cognitive skills-building and games.
Accomplishmentsof the past year
Innovations in 2013:
A new Eye Click Virtual Reality system enables residents to actively participate in the fun of a soccer game, catching butterflies, picking flowers and more!
A pilot Riding Therapy Program tracks the progress of each resident in meeting therapy goals. The program includes horse-led carriages with wheelchair-bound residents. More moderately disabled residents ride the horses themselves and help care for the animals.
A pilot Computerized Eye Tracking System enables our multiply challenged children to communicate via visual responses. Ultimately, the computer system will accompany the child, as a laptop attached to his/her wheelchair, and will offer a new avenue for communication in every setting and throughout the day.
A new “Talking” Library has created specialized story kits with accompanying puppets, vocal effects and multi-sensory supplemental items. Parents are invited to borrow a kit to read with their children at home.
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Integration in 2013
ALEH Moriah opened its inaugural Community Home, where 9 residents live in their
own beautifully designed home alongside a regular kindergarten within the Gedera community.
A second kindergarten class for regular children opened in ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran.
There are currently 43 children in
the on-site daycare center, where they interact with severely disabled children in a natural way on a daily basis.
Streetball in Jerusalem dedicated a day of basketball activity to ALEH’s children, who
joined Israel’s sports heroes and fans on the court.
Gederah residents and Jerusalemites marched alongside ALEH’s children in a show of
solidarity, support, acceptance and community involvement.
ALEH’s children were proud participants in the Jerusalem Marathon, “running” in their
wheelchairs along with Team ALEH racers.
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Building Development
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ALEH Jerusalem and ALEH Moriah opened new special education
schools, integrating children from the community – 43 children in Moriah, 75 children in Jerusalem
Building is moving ahead at a fast pace at ALEH
C.A.R.E.S. – a comprehensive educational and rehabilitative center in the center of the country that will enable the acceptance of an additional 200 special needs children. The shell of the basement pool level and the first two floors of classrooms and therapy rooms are already
complete, and finishing work is well underway!
ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran completed construction on a new residential home,
which will offer another 48 severely disabled adults an unsurpassed quality of life.
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“We believe that every
disabled child has
the right to benefit from
the best available
care.”
“ALEH is more than just a
rehabilitation center; it is a warm, loving home, which provides my
daughter with the tools and activities she
needs to grow and develop.”
Growth ALEH’s support throughout the world grew, and the ALEH global family now includes over 50 countries - from Australia to Zimbabwe!
Volunteers keep reaching out to ALEH, giving of themselves and being enriched in return. This year ALEH welcomed 1,000 new volunteers!
ALEH’s child development centers and rehabilitation clinics greatly expanded services this year – offering 2900 outpatient treatments monthly.
ALEH has become one of the most desirable places for National Service Girls who wish to spend a meaningful year making a real difference – 23 outstanding girls are working in ALEH Negev this year, and ALEH Jerusalem had over 50 applicants to choose from vying for only 7 slots.
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
02012
400
2011
379
2010
377
2009
348
2008
336
2007
323
2006
292number of residents
number of residents
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Larry Feinstein, an 80 year old man from Flint, Michigan, chose to celebrate his long overdue Bar Mitzvah in a very special way by ‘twinning’ with an ALEH Jerusalem resident. The joint celebration was an emotional and joyous time for both of them and for the staff and friends of ALEH.
The Safari animal therapy program has helped residents of Aleh Negev-Nahalat Eran gain a sense of responsibility and self – as they learn how to take care of defenseless creatures. Stroking, petting and helping to feed the animals stimulates the senses, and the safari has become a popular stop for visitors. This year, we welcomed new goats, chickens and birds.
ALEH took strides to encourage integration and acceptance of the disabled community within Israeli society. Over 300 people took part in the 3rd annual March over the Jerusalem Chords Bridge, including ALEH residents, families, caregivers, volunteers and friends from around the globe. Festivities were capped off with singing, dancing, and the release of 500 balloons into the air to signify the buoyant spirit and unrestricted potential of ALEH’s children.
01January:
02February:
03March:
ALEH’s innovative Communication Therapy Programs adapt cutting-edge technology to open new horizons for disabled children and young adults who cannot speak in the conventional way. Instead of being condemned to a life of silence, residents can express their needs, feelings and choices. Residents are now empowered to connect with those around them, and to discover further potential.
ALEH enjoyed a series of exciting trips and outings to enjoy the wonders of nature – overcoming all the major logistical challenges inherent in these outdoor excursions. Taking a wheelchair-bound severely disabled child who needs to be fed through a “Kangaroo” feeding tube to the beach, or for a picnic, or to the zoo, is no simple matter. But seeing our residents smile and appreciate an outing just like ‘other’ children made all the efforts worthwhile.
Children who have intellectual disabilities along with physical limitations such as cerebral palsy ordinarily cannot experience simple childhood pleasures like picking flowers and popping bubbles. But thanks to therapeutic virtual reality pioneered at ALEH, they can reap the physical and emotional benefits of interacting with a simulated environment where handicaps are irrelevant – and the sky’s the limit!
0604April:
05May: June:
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Thanks to the efforts of dedicated volunteers, ALEH’s kids enjoyed a fantastic Shabbaton hosted by the wonderful Merkaz Shapira community. Dedicated volunteers packed up feeding tubes, medicines, special foods and all the other necessary paraphernalia to make the weekend retreat possible. Extra travel and staffing costs reached NIS 20,000 – much of which the volunteers raised by themselves – but all agreed that it was well worth the investment.
ALEH Bnei Brak Nursery & Kindergarten moved to a roomier location – and now, over 100 developmentally delayed babies and toddlers can receive the early intervention they need to mainstream into regular learning environments. The program works to discover each child’s abilities and develop them to the fullest, and to offer support and encouragement to their families – including their loving grandmothers!
Since their retirement, Shula and Meir Abergil – a religious couple in the south of Israel, have been volunteering at ALEH Negev with Saafiya – a young Bedouin girl. The experience has enriched their lives immeasurably, and Saafiya has become part of their family. “It is hard to explain the depth of the connection we forged with Saafiya. If I had to describe it, I would call it a soul bond.”
08 0907July: August: September:
October: which features items created by residents in their vocational workshop via the use of special techniques, was expanded and upgraded this year, thanks to a generous donation from the Golden family. The beautifully designed and packaged items are now sold in several new venues, including Steimatzky book stores, Tamares Hotels, ALEH’s online boutique, and popular websites such as Etsy.
For Shalev, a pool almost ended his life. But ALEH’s cutting-edge hydrotherapy pool has also given Shalev and his parents hope for the future. Hydrotherapy is one of Shalev’s favorite activities, and he is now able to reach therapeutic goals including physical progress and emotional wellbeing.
In December, ALEH’s children enjoyed a whole new level of experiential learning, with the building of an Active Chanukah Learning Center. Residents were invited to use the various kits revolving around Chanukah themes and symbols – a veritable festival of the senses! During Chanukah, we all pause to acknowledge the miracles in our daily lives. For ALEH’s children, every small step is a miracle— and we are all truly grateful.
10 11 12October: November: December:
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PartnersALEH relies on the support of government ministries, business and corporations, foundations, philanthropists, activists, school children and caring individuals around the world to continue offering its children every opportunity to
grow and develop. Together, we are committed to helping Israel’s most vulnerable children live the quality life that every child deserves.
We are proud to have friends around the world. ALEH is a
global community based on the principles of sensitivity, commitment and kindness, making a difference in the lives of Israel’s most vulnerable children and building a better, more caring world.
“Connecting us all is our deep commitment to helping the most vulnerable sector of Israel’s population, enabling each child’s spirit to shine forth.”
ArgentinaBarbadosBelgiumBrazilBulgariaCanadaChinaCosta RicaCyprusDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorFinland
FranceGermanyGibraltarHong KongHungaryIndiaIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaMalaysia MexicoNetherlands
New ZealandNigeriaNorwayPakistanPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPortugalPuerto RicoRussiaScotlandSingapore
SlovakiaSouth KoreaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandThailandTurkeyUnited KingdomUruguayUSA (inc.Alaska!)Zimbabwe
ALEH Supporters Worldwide
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ALEH’s myriad programs are constantly expanding, developing and growing in many different venues. The annual budget is a reflection of this ongoing development.
The following financial data relates to ALEH’s four facilities during the year 2012.
Turnover of OperationsOver the last seven years, ALEH’s turnover of operations has expanded by 55%. This is reflected in its expansion of programs, number of residents, treatments, treatment costs, innovative technologies etc.In 2006 ALEH’s overall turnover was about NIS 77,000,000.In 2012 ALEH’s overall turnover was about NIS 119,000,000.Expansion: 55%
Turnover of Operations:(in NIS thousands)
140000
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
76,584 87,388 107,430 106,809 114,108 116,744 119,479
ALEHFinancial Data
Development BudgetDuring the past few years ALEH has undertaken several large capital projects, including renovations of existing structures as well as the establishment of new buildings.A great deal of resources was invested in development, part of which was fundraised from designated funding and part of which was funded by ongoing donations.Donations specifically earmarked for construction projects are not included in the operating budget. Marked as “designated funding,” they appear in the Development Budget.The following chart reflects the scope of the operating budget as well as the designated funding budget during the years 2006-2012.
Operating Budget + Designated Funding Budget (in NIS thousands)
180000
160000
140000
120000
100000
80000
60000
60000
40000
20000
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
76,584.4 87,388.2 107,430 106,809 114,108 116,744 119,479
45,468 19,724 21,050 29,689 16,243 25,072 34,153Earmarked revenues
Current Cycle
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Budget Income SourcesALEH receives the bulk of its funding from the State of Israel via various government ministries and local insurances.ALEH’s fundraising efforts focus on programs and projects that enable us to offer the children a higher
quality of life: smaller staff-per-child ratio, extra paramedical treatments, technological advances, customized equipment, and a variety of stimulating cultural activities. Philanthropic support enables us to enhance the level
of care given to the children, and to initiate various programs and projects that encourage further rehabilitation and development.Following is a breakdown of ALEH’s main sources of support:
OperatingBudget2012-Income(in NIS thousands)
Other income 667
Ministry of Education28,194
CommunityTreatments3,396
Donations13,347
Health Ministry494
Health Care Funds8,782
Local Authorities5,205
Welfare Ministry58,692
Estates and funds 697
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Operational Expenses
Auditedfinancialstatementis availableupon request.
Operating Budget
2012Financing1%
Public Relations2%
Medical6%
Education15%
Food4%
Maintenance14%
Operations (salaries)
8%Medical and Professional Staff
(salaries)15%
Caregiving Staff (salaries)20%
Depreciation10%
Administrative and General Expenses
5%
4
650+
700
600+
80%
49%
35,000
$4,100
ALEH Facilities: Bnei Brak, Gedera, Jerusalem, Negev
Infants, Children, Teens and Young Adults in ALEH facilities and educational frameworks
Staff members
Volunteers
Government funding for Operating Costs
Matching government funding for Capital Building projects
Outpatient services provided to the Community annually
Monthly cost per residential child
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Challenges &Vision forthe Future
As we look forward to introducing new rehabilitative developments that will enable our children further opportunities for growth, we also seek creative solutions to the challenges that we currently face:
ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran is located in Israel’s Negev region. Recruitment of professional staff is difficult due to the travel distance from central Israel. Furthermore, the demanding work schedule and physical and emotional difficulty in working with the severely disabled leads to a high staff turnover rate. To meet this challenge, ALEH will develop training and scholarship programs for promising paramedical students living in the Negev. It will offer incentives and higher training to workers who demonstrate dedication and ability. It will also establish staff residences on ALEH Negev grounds.
1.Recruitment and retention of quality staff
ALEH’s children require full supportive care within a medically safe environment. Their serious conditions preclude the option of living at home or attending regular schools. At the same time, we recognize their right to be part of regular society and to be accepted and valued for their strengths and abilities.
We seek further opportunities to reach out to the community and invite them to become part of ALEH – by establishing regular kindergartens within ALEH’s facilities, running joint social and recreational programs, opening integrated daycare centers, and making our rehabilitative programs available to the community at large. We will expand awareness initiatives via developing further boutique sales venues and participating in community events such as marches, sports, and happenings. We will also share our research and information with the public at large.
Further Integration
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Challenges &Vision forthe Future
With the continuing development of educational software, virtual reality programs, and alternative communication methods, ALEH seeks to make these available to every single child on an ongoing basis.
We seek to introduce computers and iPads for every child, during school and in the residential facilities. This will require the purchase of assistive devices, specialized equipment and internet accessibility throughout the facilities. Establishing specialized on-site workshops will enable the design and customization of the necessary devices, as per each child’s needs.
Maximizing Rehabilitative Technology
3.
Unfortunately, more and more children require ALEH’s therapeutic services, and our Child Development Centers are in constant demand. The families of these children lack the resources to practice therapy goals at home, a fact that greatly hinders the children’s progress.
We seek to establish Specialized Lending Libraries, to give parents access to materials and devices that will enable the children to practice therapy at home. We also wish to develop a professional tutoring program, where students accompany the children to therapy and then practice with them at home several times a week.
Expanding Therapy for Community Children
4.27 |
If you think all angels live in heaven, you
haven’t visited ALEH, a special
place where angels are loved and cared for by
angels.
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