Hakshava
Marianne Early Childhood and Family Center
Field: Welfare
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Requested sum: $5,000
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24% of total budget
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Location: Kiryat Gat
// About the Organization
Marianne Center in Kiryat Gat provides educational and therapeutic services for young children and families. The Center operates several preschools as well as a paramedical unit. Marianne Center conducts parenting workshops and more. All activities are supervised by the Ministry of Education.
// Project Description
The program prepares volunteers who have a background in education such as kindergarten teachers and schoolteachers, many of whom are retirees from the Ministry of Education, to support families and promote optimal integration of children and parents into the community. The volunteers receive ongoing guidance and professional training from specialists and from the program coordinator. The project operates in close collaboration with maternal and child health clinics (Tipat Halav), social workers, daycare centers and others. The project has approximately 40 volunteers.
// Project Goals
The program trains female volunteers to assist at-risk families and reduce educational and social gaps. The volunteers strengthen parents as key figures in the life of the child and the family. They provide parents with professional and educational skills to deal with the children and to integrate the family into the community.
// Target Population
40 volunteers, mostly retired educators, mothers and grandmothers with extensive childcare experience, receive ongoing professional guidance. Approximately 40 at-risk welfare families participate and receive personalized support from the volunteers.
// Outcomes
Expected short-term outcomes: retain 40 volunteers through ongoing workshops, guidance, and professional lectures scheduled throughout the year. Long-term expectations: As a response to a growing need, the Marianne center will integrate volunteers into daycares and kindergartens, training them as professional models for caregivers.
// Project Timeline
The program is scheduled to run throughout the year. July–September: Preparation and identification of families. October–March: Weekly meetings for volunteers, and the matching of volunteers with families. April–May: Monitoring and evaluation of the program’s progress. June: End-of-year closing event for volunteers.
// Budget Sustainability
For long-term financial sustainability, the Marianne Center will diversify funding sources from- Kiryat Gat Municipality, grants, private and public support, with careful budgeting and efficient management to ensure the continuation of the program.
The program is essential and has a significant impact. If the partnership will not fund the full requested amount, the Marianne Center is committed to securing alternative funding to ensure the program proceeds as planned.
// Project establishment status
The program is currently operating in the Partnership Region and is very successful. Marianne Center plans on continuing the program this coming year, maintaining the scope of activities and expanding according to community needs.