Believing in Ometz Akko Believing in Ometz Akko
Transcription
Believing in Ometz Akko Believing in Ometz Akko
בע"ה ♦♦ 14 years of activity ♦♦ 25 projects ♦♦ 90 young families ♦♦ 3,000 participants ♦♦ 14 years of activity ♦♦ 25 projects ♦♦ 90 young families ♦♦ 3,000 participants At the request of the local community, five families from all over the country came to Akko in 1997 and founded Garin Torani Ometz Akko, with the intent to alter the harsh reality of the city, to lead a dramatic change and bring new growth and development to Akko and the Galilee region. 14 years after its establishment, the Garin Torani is comprised of 90 national-religious young families (over 250 people) which, together with the community and the local authorities, have established over 25 projects, directly affecting the lives of 2500 people, mostly children, youth and young adults. Thanks to a wide scope of activities and their substantial impact on the region, Garin Ometz Akko has become one of the most influential organizations in the North of Israel. The organization is recognized, appreciated and supported by all the local authorities and collaborates with businesses and many national organizations. Among the goals of the organization: ♦♦ City and community advancement. ♦♦ Community involvement: reducing social-educational gaps of children and youth in educational institutions and improving welfare services in the city. ♦♦ Creating value-enriched cultural activities for Akko's residents. The operating principles: Garin Ometz Akko creates and operates projects out of a desire to meet the needs of the community and, together with the local authorities, provides a real solution and response to inquiries and requests coming from the field. The Garin is interested in cooperation with national authorities and organizations, in general, and local organizations, in particular, and collaborates with many other organizations. Some of them, influenced by the Garin activity, specialize and develop their own projects in the city and the region. Members of the Garin are families are from the national-religious sector, but most activities involve all city residents, religious and secular alike. ♦♦ Establishment of an active young community and encouraging young families to join the city. Believing in Ometz Akko Thanks to a wide scope of activities, and their substantial impact on the region, Garin Ometz Akko has become one of the most influential organizations in the North of Israel. The organization is recognized, appreciated and supported by all the local authorities and collaborates with businesses and many national organizations. Believing in Ometz Akko 52 Ben Shushan St., PO Box 2766, Akko Israel - עכו,2766 .ד. ת, 52 רח‘ בן שושן 52 Ben Shushan St., PO Box 2766, Akko Israel - עכו,2766 .ד. ת, 52 רח‘ בן שושן 52 Ben Shushan St., PO Box 2766, Akko Israel - עכו,2766omez@omezakko.co.il .ד. ת, 52 רח‘ בן שושן- Fax: 972-4-981042 : פקס- Tel: 972-4-9550127 :’ טל- omezakko.co.il omez@omezakko.co.il - Fax: 972-4-981042 : פקס- Tel: 972-4-9550127 :’ טל- omezakko.co.il omez@omezakko.co.il - Fax: 972-4-981042 : פקס- Tel: 972-4-9550127 :’ טל- omezakko.co.il Garin Ometz's projects include: The Network of Learning Centers and After-School Child Care Facilities was established to provide a comprehensive and genuine service to the local disadvantaged population and to reduce social gaps. It serves hundreds of students with social and educational difficulties, children from families in distress, who need educational activity frameworks in the afternoon, as well as dozens of youths at risk of dropping out of the educational system. In the past school year Garin Ometz operated 8 after-school child care facilities in Akko: a Safe Home - intensive center for children ages 6-12; the Big Brother D'Orayta center for youngsters at risk; an educational center for junior high school students; Place in the Heart (Makom Balev) (for boys and girls) and an adults club. Activities include: ♦♦ Safe Home - three intensive welfare after-school centers for children ages 6-12. ♦♦ Big Brother - two after-school facilities for youth at risk. ♦♦ After-school educational facilities - two facilities for middle school students in the city. ♦♦ Programs for adults - after-school educational facility for women in the Caucasian community, for woman empowerment and development. ♦♦ After-school Garin Ometz learning centers - to promote educational and social subjects. Garin Ometz Educational Centers The activities of Garin Ometz Learning Centers take place in the afternoons, in 7 primary and high schools in Akko (Ort Vocational, Miftan, Gordon, Rambam, Noam, Amit Kennedy - Girls, Amit Kennedy - Boys), through learning center for educational and social advancement. A total of 220 children and 38 counselors participate in these activities. Partners - The Municipality of Akko - Department of Education, Department of Welfare, The Jewish Agency for Israel, the "Yedidim" organization, the Oren Fund, the United Israel Appeal of Canada, the Israel Center, the Authority for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee, and the Ministry for Development of the Negev and Galilee. ♦♦ At Noam-Herzog school 217 children enjoy a unique program of activities conducted by students and professionals. In addition, a personal mentoring project and pedagogical content center provide aid to the teaching staff. ♦♦ For the second year in a row Gordon school is operating the project "Transitions – Beginnings", which provides training and mental preparation for junior high school, as well as a learning center to prepare homework and to study for tests in small groups of five students. Rambam School boasts the unique project "Kol Rambam," where students act every week as radio operators and interview people and celebrities from the community, interview as well as "Oneg Shabbat" programs that include the study of the weekly portion, Mishnayot studies, all accompanied by music. ♦♦ Students from the Midrasha lead exciting educational activities on the deepening of Jewish identity in the city schools, covering the topics of Midot (personal attributes), values and Jewish holidays. ♦♦ From the variety of summer camps that were offered to children by the city, Garin Ometz and Tikvateinu summer camps stood out, as they attracted 300 children and “proved it is possible to offer a pleasurable and entertaining summer camp to children, without impoverishing their parents" (Yishai Rubin from Garin Ometz). Believing in Ometz Akko The Chesed Center was established in 1999 by members of Garin Ometz and acts as an aid center for food distribution to needy families, the sick, elderly and disabled home-ridden residents of Akko. Based entirely on volunteers, it is managed, also on a volunteer basis, by David Abady who received the title of "Notable of Akko" for his important contribution to the city. The center's activities cover: ♦♦ Weekly distribution of 400 food packages to families and individuals. ♦♦ Distribution of over 600 sandwiches on school days to needy children in 12 schools in the city. ♦♦ Food distribution operations in the city before Rosh Hashanah and Passover; over 900 food parcels are distributed with the help of soldiers, students and dozens of volunteers. ♦♦ Financial counseling and a social assistance program for needy families. Ometz Akko Torah Center Ometz Akko Torah Center is a prominent project in its scope and success among the local population. Each week 700 people attend various projects at the Torah Center, composed of religious centers and programs operated by the Garin members. The center's projects include the High Yeshiva and Kollel "Mevakshei Hashem”; the morning Beit Midrash for pensioners and adults; evening Bet Midrash, open to the public; the Midrasha to promote Jewish identity in elementary schools and high schools; children's afternoon Talmud Torah, Torah classes for children and youth; Yeshivat Bein Hazmanim for junior high school and high school students; Torah classes throughout the city and community Shabbats; and the institute for Bar Mitzva training. Partners - the Municipality of Akko, O.U., private donors, the Aguda L'Hitnadvut (Sherut Leumi), the Estates Committee, the Authority for the Development of the Negev and Galilee, the Ministry for Development of the Negev and Galilee. Garin Ometz Akko as a source of employment - The Garin employs 42 residents of Akko, while hundreds others engage in project work through the partner organizations. The Garin operates more than 100 volunteers in all its projects. Garin Ometz Akko during vacation - The Garin increases its activities during school vacations, and operates summer camps (for 300 children), nursery schools, care centers, learning centers, study groups for matriculation, new year programs, etc. Garin Ometz Akko at events - Garin Ometz provides cultural assistance to hundreds of families during Jewish holidays, with programs, joint meals, marches, dances, prayers, etc. Garin Ometz Akko as a dynamic force - The Garin is a dynamic force in encouraging the participation of youngsters from Akko, Nahariya, Tiberias, etc. in its programs: Mishol (JDC), community garden, care centers, etc. Garin Ometz Akko as an umbrella organization - The Garin, together with the authority, coordinates the activities of 15 voluntary organizations: Ayalim, Ha'noar Ha'oved Vehalomed, Bnei Akiva, parachuting instructors, the urban kibbutz, Dror Habonim, Mechina Gal, etc. Projects of the Ometz Akko Torah Center Mevakshei Hashem high yeshiva and kollel Center for Jewish identity at state schools Torani learning center at Amit Kennedy School Beit Midrash for Pensioners Talmud Torah for children Bar mitzvah program Participants 30 1,000 40 18 35 250 a year D'Orayta program for youngsters Events before Jewish holidays Weekly Torani booklet 70 120-500 700 copies Believing in Ometz Akko