Youth Encounter Program
Within the mostly able-bodied world, disabled young people can feel isolated and lonely, unable to communicate or to control the movement of their bodies − segregated from mainstream society and confined by their own harsh daily routine. Years ago, ILAN recognized the importance of ministering not just to the physical needs of their patients, but to their social needs as well. Perhaps one of ILAN’s most significant achievements has been the success of its Youth Encounter Program, which provides opportunities for physically disabled and non-disabled young people to meet and interact as peers, and to develop relationships based on mutual respect and understanding. These encounters often lead to friendships that flourish beyond the structured framework of the ILAN program.
Today, under ILAN’s auspices, sixty physically impaired youths, aged ten to twenty-one, routinely interact with an equal number of their healthy volunteer counterparts during weekly encounter sessions in Tel Aviv. Together, throughout the year, they also party and celebrate the holidays, share weekends, attend special events, dance, engage in sports, and go on tours – activities enjoyed by all “normal” teenagers. In July and August, the children take part in ILAN’s Summer Camp Program.
The handicapped young people who participate in the Youth Encounter Program demonstrate noticeable social growth and significant improvement in their self-image and self-confidence. In fact, the Youth Encounter Program exactly fulfills ILAN’s mission: to enable Israelis with neuromuscular disabilities to enjoy the best quality of life possible, from the day of their birth and throughout the rest of their lives, by providing for their special needs and advancing their integration into society.
The Youth Encounter Program, which was started in 1988, is run out of ILAN’s headquarters and draws young people from all over central Israel. It is staffed by a project coordinator and eight counselors. The program’s annual budget in 2014-2015 is $67,000, which includes the cost of transporting the disabled children, the staff, and volunteers; compensation for the project coordinator and counselors; and related expenses, such as activity materials and supplies. With demands on its already stretched resources – such as the extraordinary expenses incurred because of the recent Gaza Conflict – this year, ILAN is finding it especially difficult to cover the cost of the Youth Encounter Program with general operating funds. There is an urgent need to find support for the program from other sources, such as institutions and individual donors, who share ILAN’s goals.
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