Kivunim: New Directions for Special Needs Youth in Israel

Kivunim: New Directions for Special Needs Youth in Israel is rated 3 out of 5 in the category individual & family services. Read and write reviews about Kivunim: New Directions for Special Needs Youth in Israel. Kivunim: New Directions for Youngsters with Disabilities is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 by and for young people with disabilities who live with motor and sensory challenges, chronic illnesses, genetic diseases and post trauma. The main goals of Kivunim are to advance and empower young people with disabilities through innovative programs that emphasize capabilities and strengths, rather than focusing on weaknesses. The organization operates a variety of programs that promote change on an individual, family, community and societal level. Kivunim provides services to some 300 individuals aged 10-40 with physical disabilities, sensory disabilities and chronic illness associated disorders, with normal cognitive abilities. Our focus is on those who were integrated in the regular education system. Our programs and services are available to all sectors of society, regardless of religion or ethnicity. We drive young adults towards advanced studies and employment - 40% of our graduates are currently enrolled in institutions of higher education or fully employed in the general work force. Our programs include: 1) Wings - Post High-School Service Program which combines national service, independent group living, formal and informal studies towards matriculation exams or a B.A. degree. 2) B’Govah Einayim - an informal youth group for blind adolescents/teens based on a youth movement model. 3) Simane Derech: An afternoon enrichment program for hearing-impaired and deaf youth. 4) Training Apartments: Kivunim's newest project, where twice a week, 14 high school students with hearing impairments and deafness spend an overnight in a training apartment, acquiring and practicing life skills. 5) Kivunei Derech: Alunmi Support and follow-up in order to help them build and sustain a young, active productive community 6) The Shop for Meaning: a unique vocational training center for young adults with disabilities 7) Supportive Housing Project: a pilot which offers a support system for people with disabilities who live and function independently in the community. 8) Mentoring Program for young adults with disabilities who live in the community 9) Cycling Club – Kivunim operates two cycling groups with 15 participants and an equal number of volunteers. Kivunim's programs are developed in partnership with organizations such as JDC – Ashalim and the Department of Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. They offer sustainable and transformative opportunities by encouraging self-management, independence, identity exploration and development in peer settings. Our motto is Diff-Ability, not Disability. The beneficiaries of our programs do not remain participants forever. They become doers, not the done-for. This reduces dependency on family and state services in the long run. Therefore, a grant to Kivunim will contribute to the wellbeing of young people with disabilities in Israel as well as the entire Israeli society.