In the past few years, TRCI has been working with National Insurance and the Lev Hasharon<\/p>\n
Regional Council, on a unique project that trains youths for viable future employment, in the<\/p>\n
field of horses and dogs. This project provides them with vocational training which they receive<\/p>\n
under a blanket arrangement that includes their participating in community voluntary work. In<\/p>\n
each cycle there are 30 boys and girls aged 15-17, from the Lev Hasharon Regional Council,<\/p>\n
who are chosen by professionals according to the parameters established at the start of the<\/p>\n
program, which is closely monitored by social workers and educators.<\/p>\n
The Structure of the Program<\/strong><\/p>\n The program works on three levels \u2013 practical, voluntary and social:<\/p>\n The practical level \u2013 training in the kennels or stables: during the first month they tried out<\/p>\n activities in the kennel and stable in order to choose the most suitable for them. They then were<\/p>\n given theoretic training in riding and dog training, beginning with the evolution of the animals<\/p>\n and through to appropriate access and solving problems. During the summer, after extended<\/p>\n training, the youths joined the TRCI staff working for a salary, and at the end of this process they<\/p>\n were examined. Those who passed were given a certificate as either a \u201cRiding Instructor\u201d or a<\/p>\n \u201cDog Trainer\u201d. On the practical level the youths gained practical tools to manage their finances<\/p>\n and prepare them for real life.<\/p>\n The voluntary level<\/strong> \u2013 The youth\u2019s voluntary work was participation in the activities of special<\/p>\n needs children of their age group, whose physical functions were reasonable (able to walk, some<\/p>\n with some aid) but who had communication difficulties (intellectual disabilities or autism). On<\/p>\n this program, a volunteer was selected to accompany each special needs youth, and they were to<\/p>\n accompany them during all activities in the stables or the kennel, from the moment they arrived<\/p>\n at TRCI and until they got onto the bus. Before and after each meeting, there were prep sessions<\/p>\n in which the volunteers were given information about the activities for that day, and afterward<\/p>\n they shared their experiences. Over time very warm relationships between the two groups were<\/p>\n established.<\/p>\n The social level<\/strong> – the chosen youth came from various settlements in the region, girls and boys,<\/p>\n religious and secular, from different school in the jurisdiction. The purpose was, amongst<\/p>\n others, to generate a feeling of pride in belonging to the group. For this purpose the connection<\/p>\n began from the moment they first gathered on the bus, and met with the professionals who would<\/p>\n accompany them throughout the process. They were constantly in touch with the families. The<\/p>\n group not only enjoyed the course and the voluntary work, but they also participated in parties<\/p>\n and social activities that contributed to strengthening the relationships within the group.<\/p>\n To sum up<\/strong> \u2013<\/p>\n After a long program that lasted 18 months, these young people and their families can testify to<\/p>\n the huge change this program has produced in their lives, and we are therefore able to crown this<\/p>\n year a huge success.<\/p>\n Thanks<\/strong><\/p>\n We would like to thank everyone who contributes and supported this important project:<\/p>\n National Insurance: Thanks to Mrs. Efrat Ben Horin, Director of the Foundation for Children<\/p>\n and Youth at Risk, at the National Insurance for the generous funding.<\/p>\n The Lev Hasharon Regional Council: Thanks to Mrs. Orit Bar, Director of the Dept. for Social<\/p>\n Welfare and Community.<\/p>\n Thanks to Asaf Mashiach and Sahar Dahari for leading the program with unusual caring and<\/p>\n involvement.<\/p>\n Thanks to the management of TRCI and the staff of instructors who transformed the idea into<\/p>\n reality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the past few years, TRCI has been working with National Insurance and the Lev Hasharon Regional Council, on a unique project that trains youths for viable future employment, in the field of horses and dogs. This project provides them with vocational training which they receive under a blanket arrangement that includes their participating in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[130,136],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles-en","category-success-story-en"],"yoast_head":"\n