Video clip on The Haifa Center featuring our graduate – Pninit

January, 2012 – Dr. Stan Goldman, of the Weinberg Foundation, visited The Haifa Center and saw from close up the scope of our activities. He was most impressed by all the new activities since his last visit 4 years ago. The cook, working in the kitchen of the Day Care Center, honored him with a plate of hot soup and some fresh falafel!

Orna Alshech, Director of the Israel Glencore Foundation, visited and was very impressed by the many programs and projects.

Rabbi Michael Alfer, Degel HaTorah representative at the Municipality, and members of Haifa Center administration met with Mr. Pini Vagman, of the Social Services in Haifa Municipality to brainstorm solutions for those in need in the community. On the same topic, our administration met with MK Uri Maklev, who took an interest in the work we are doing and the need for treatment and a support system.

Pnina Berkowitz has been invited to participate in a conference organized by "Ashalim" in February '12 dealing with new initiatives for at-risk children and youth.

A DAY OF GOOD DEEDS will take place on 20 Feb. '12 sponsored by Ru'ach Tova Organization, which connects between non profit organizations and volunteers. We will be privileged to have a large group of volunteers at our Early Childhood Center who will paint and garden. Thank you in advance for this wonderful venture!

January, 2012 – Libby Hayes from “Homes for Families” in Boston visited The Haifa Center as part of a Haifa-Boston delegation. Haifa and Boston are twin cities, and Bostoners who are visiting have been taken to various organizations and given a taste of the real Haifa. They have been hosted by members of a leadership course, which our PR Director – Riki Moadav  is participating in. New connections have been made between members of different organizations, and we look forward to fruitful outcomes.

A series of lectures is being provided for volunteers in our Women-to-Women Program (Isha LeReuta). On 11 January ’12 Anat Geiger, MSW and Art Therapist, presented an experiential workshop on Dyadic Therapy using Art. Dyadic Therapy – Parent- Child – using art as a medium, is a wonderful way to help children get in touch with non-verbal part of their personalities. Isha LeReuta, in conjunction with municipal Social Services, is a volunteer project with women in the community making house visits and helping other women who have difficulty functioning and running their homes. Natali Monski, MA student in Expressive Therapy who is doing her practical work at our center helped present the workshop.

More visits at The Haifa Center:

• Mr. Panchaud from Switzerland, Emouna Foundation representative, visited and was most impressed by new projects and activities in Snoezelen Room.
• Mr. Jalal Hatami, Deputy Secretary General of Bahai World Communtiy visited and expressed his sincere interest in our work.

A mentoring program for children who lack a father figure at home was launched in conjunction with "Big Brothers Big Sisters - Haifa", entailing 4 hours a week of fun activities and quality time together. This fills a void in the community.

Interactive workshops using puppets for special ed kindergarten children to promote awareness on abuse and the importance of child protection. Children learned how to say "NO" and to reveal unpleasant secrets to an adult. Workshops were presented by "The Crisis Center for Religious Women – Jerusalem".

For advice deciding what kind of help your child needs – you are welcome to make an appointment at the Haifa Center receive guidance and referrals to professional treatment. Phone 04-8678758 and ask for Pnina or Yael.

Hadas Rabinowitz, Director of Matya, Haifa Education Department, joined us at the Haifa Center and was very impressed by all she saw.