Help Preschool Kids with Disabilities in Ashkelon

Thank you for standing with Chimes Israel and the young children with disabilities who depend on us every day. Your generosity continues to make it possible for us to move forward with one of the most important projects in our organization's history: building a fortified rehabilitative early childhood center in Ashkelon.

Today, our two Ashkelon early childhood programs continue operating from four overcrowded residential homes that were never designed for children with disabilities. The buildings have narrow stairways, small classrooms, inadequate therapy space, and bomb shelters that cannot safely accommodate all of the children and staff. One of the buildings has no protected space at all. These conditions place tremendous stress on families and staff every time a siren sounds.

The recent war reinforced what we have known for years: these temporary facilities are no longer adequate. During extended periods of conflict, our centers were forced to close, interrupting critical therapies during the most important stage of brain development. Our therapists brought equipment into children's homes, conducted weekly home visits, distributed tablets and computers for remote learning, and provided emotional support to families living under constant threat. While these emergency efforts prevented even greater losses, many children still experienced developmental regression after months without their normal therapeutic routines.

Despite these challenges, we continue making progress toward our vision. We are still raising the funds needed to begin construction of a new facility that will provide a fully accessible, fortified environment where up to 80 infants and toddlers with disabilities can safely receive early diagnosis, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, specialized education, and family support under one roof. The building will include spacious classrooms, dedicated therapy rooms, accessible playgrounds, and a protected area large enough to safely shelter every child and staff member during emergencies.

Your support is bringing us closer to a future where parents no longer have to choose between their child's safety and their child's development. Every contribution helps create a place where children can continue learning, growing, and receiving life-changing therapies, even during times of crisis. Early intervention changes the trajectory of a child's life. By helping us build this center, you are investing not only in a safer building, but in brighter futures for hundreds of children and their families for decades to come.

Thank you for believing that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, no matter where they live. We look forward to sharing more progress with you as we continue building this life-changing project.