Protected Housing in Ashkelon

While, in general, people with mental illness are still stigmatized, in recent years we witness greater acceptance and awareness in the normative community regarding mental illness.  Taking this into consideration, a protected housing unit was established for adults with emotional disabilities to give this population support, mentoring and guidance while integrating into the normative community.  Established in 2001, 50 people now reside in protected homes.  Gvanim is honored to operate this program.

Protected Housing in Ashkelon is part of the network of services provided by Gvanim Ashkelon Center; most of its support is provided in the resident’s home, with the understanding that a person’s home is the center of his or her life.  Each resident receives guidance designed to meet their specific needs, desires and abilities.  Mentoring covers many topics including basic living skills such as cooking, home maintenance and budget management.  The residents participate in decisions regarding what skills they will learn to ensure that the support they receive will best meet their goals, enabling them to develop to their full potential. They create a plan that covers their health management, their social life, their occupational development and their free time activities.

Mentors encourage residents to widen their social circles with various activities including participating in social gatherings in their free time.

The Protected Housing program operates under the auspices and supervision of the Ministry of Health and the National Insurance Institute.  New residents are referred to the these services by mental health authorities (through a Ministry of Health committee) and by the Ministry of Defense. 

Gvanim thanks its program partners:  Ministry of Health, Municipality of Ashkelon, National Health Institute, Ministry of Defense.