 |
Reaching Out to the New Ethiopian Immigrant Community in Jaffa
|
In the past year, dozens of Ethiopian immigrant families moved from government immigrant absorption centers to the city of Jaffa. However, of the 56,114 Ethiopians who immigrated to Israel from 1989-2004, less than one percent settled in the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality. The previous statistic explains the lack of organized and effective social services in Jaffa to assist Ethiopian immigrant children and their families in transitioning to the new society.
|
Accordingly, The Jaffa Institute adapted its award-winning educational and cultural enrichment after school program to support new Ethiopian students. Based on the success of our integration program at the Bet Shemesh Educational Center, the Jaffa Institute expanded our after school program (moadonit) in Jaffa Dalet to include services specifically for new-immigrant Ethiopian children. The children range between the ages of 7-12 and are divided into two groups - group one: ages 7,8,9; groups two: ages 10,11,12.
|
The children are based out of the Jaffa Institute's "Jaffa Dalet" program site - a building donated to the institute by the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality. Importantly, the children tackle all integration obstacles with the help of their counselor of Ethiopian descent who also serves as a bridge communicating scholastic developments in the children's lives to their parents who are unfamiliar with Israel's school system and curriculum.
|
Any holistic response must also include outreach and services to introduce the parents of new immigrant children the basics from shopping in a grocery store to gaining employment in their new environment.
The Jaffa Institute is introducing a multi-layered initiative to assist Jaffa's new Ethiopian immigrants to adjust to the workings of Israeli society both for the short and long term. The program consists of:
|
1. Moadonit (After School) Program: Provides young Ethiopian immigrants with an after school outlet where they will receive educational enrichment while integrating gradually with the Institute's general population. Includes: daily hot meals, music education, and summer enrichment programs.
|
2. Residential Education (for select youngsters): New immigrant students who struggle to thrive in Jaffa's public school system will be referred to the Bet Shemesh Educational and Residential Center for schooling.
|
3. Computer Literacy and Vocational Training Programs: Introductory courses for parents on a variety of subjects from computer applications to receptionist training to employment counseling.
|
4. Food Distribution: Deliver food parcels twice-per-month to Jaffa's new Ethiopian immigrants while they learn the local skills necessary to enter the Israeli workforce.
|
5. Home Visits: Support the community by providing a social worker whom will visit the homes of the new immigrants to give them a venue to voice concerns and to serve as a bridge between the Ethiopian community and the assistance avenues open to them.
|