Background
Since its inception, Yeladim - The Council for the Child in Placement, has been working with volunteers, who have much to offer children in group homes. Two types of volunteer work have evolved during the years: the development of special relationships with individual children over the course of many years; and working with groups of children in the group homes or helping with group home activities.
Over the past few years the work of these volunteers has been coordinated through a professional staff. A national volunteer coordinator is responsible for the project as a whole, and for those who work in central Israel, and a part-time social worker is responsible for the volunteer work in the north of Israel. The coordinator's work is composed of several components:
1. Matching individual and family volunteers with children, or groups of children, in group homes in central Israel. Individual volunteers and their families are encouraged to form relationships with specific children living in group homes, particularly those who are unable to visit their families of origin on weekends. The volunteers are encouraged to visit the children, host them in their family homes, and become significant adults for them. What these children need from the volunteers is the experience of a stable relationship with one, or preferably two adults, who are warm and responsible models of parental functioning, and who are capable of providing the child with the experience of a caring family atmosphere.
2. Linking specific group homes with various factories and Hi-Tec industries. The factories then donate essential equipment to the group homes, such as air conditioners and computers, invite the children for outings, and provide families of employees who form meaningful relationships with specific children.
3. Placing volunteers in varous tasks in the group homes is also a part of the coordinator's job. These volunteers help with the everyday management of the homes, and with the children's activities. They operate various enrichment programs, help with the children's schooling, and assist the homes with their regular services.
4. Conducting group meetings for the volunteers in order to provide support, guidance and mutual consultation.
5. Advising and supervising regional social workers.
The regional social worker is responsible for matching volunteers with children, and for guiding and supervising them. This is similar to components two and three of the coordinator's work.
Project Goals
The main purpose of this project is to give the children in group homes a long term positive experience with one or two warm and caring adults. When possible, the volunteers are able to offer the children an experience of sharing with a stable family. In addition, the purpose is to help the group homes obtain essential equipment, and assist them with their everyday operations.
The more specific project goals are:
a. Matching between volunteers and the various types of volunteer work needed.
b. Preparing the group homes for working with the volunteers.
c. Training the volunteers who will care for a child.
d. Matching between the volunteers' competencies and wishes and the children's needs.
e. Guiding and supervising the volunteers in their work.
f. Mediating and coordinating the work among the social services, the homes' staffs, and the volunteers.
g. Locating factories and Hi-Tec industries that are willing to become involved with group homes, and linking between the two.
Aims and Relevance
Children in group homes usually come from deprived backgrounds, where parents do not fulfill their roles, and have caused harm to the children. The experience of warm and stable parenting and family life can reverse the impact of early life experiences, as is known in child development theory and research. If these children can be provided with a meaningful relationship with an adult, much will have been contributed to their social-emotional development.
In addition, many group homes lack basic and essential equipment. The children benefit greatly from air conditioners or computers, and the homes are always in need of new refrigerators, tables, and chairs.
Further, many group homes suffer from staff shortage. Volunteers who help with the everyday management of the homes tend to become quite meaningful to the home and the children. Enrichment programs and assistance with schooling are always welcomed.
Project Program
The coordinator in charge of the project and the regional social worker interview new volunteers, and together with the social workers of the group homes, match them with the appropriate children. They follow up on the volunteers' work. The contribution of social workers in the homes is essential for optimizing the matching between children and volunteers, and for follow up on the volunteers and the children assigned to them. This effort on the part of the social workers requires hours of their time. The Ministry of Social Welfare has approved this effort for the Yeladim Volunteer project.
The Council has been conducting the Volunteer program, w;hich is currently operating in central and northern Israel, for several years. The needs of the children in the south are great, and a social worker in charge of the project in that area is a necessity.
