The social therapy and “home in a community” model have several fundamental principles:

 

• The host community as the primary source of therapeutic staff: The supervising and rehabilitative staff are based primarily on members of the host community, based on the understanding of the significant connection between the host community and the curative home community. The staff is also composed of external professionals and voluntee

• Training, assistance, and support for all community members: The therapeutic and rehabilitative staff as well as the community members benefit from educational and training activities, as well as supportive, therapeutic opportunities, as needed.

• Creative and productive daily work and activities: As part of the community, members participate in daily work and activity sessions, which provide them with a sense of value, significance, and partnership

• Work and leisure activities based on existing infrastructure in the host community: These include work branches of the kibbutz, independent businesses that can take on rehabilitating members as workers, volunteers from the host community who help with leisure-time activities, classes, home hospitality, and more.

 

 

A Deployable Model – with Kamah’s Assistance

The establishment, development, and operation of the Kamah curative community model enable us to advise and assist communities interested in deploying the model, which is designed as an intimate framework for a small group of rehabilitating members living in a wider community (a kibbutz or community settlement) that has taken them in. This new “home” would then be an independent economic unit connected both professionally and administratively to Beit Elisha and the Kamah Association. The home in a community model is an innovative working model that must be approved each time by the Rehabilitation Division of the Ministry for Social Affairs.

Among other things, the Kamah Association helps those communities interested in deploying the model with the following:

• Acclimatizing rehabilitative members: This is carried out by the staff running the home, together with the assistance of the professional team from Beit Elisha.

• Training staff members: The Kamah Association organizes training sessions designed to assist the members of the new organization. Held one morning a week, the sessions allow participants to gain hands-on experience with social therapy, while presenting a space for learning and observation.

• Ongoing, active contact with the Kamah Association and Beit Elisha: This connection is maintained in various ways, such as regular participation in the forums, activities, and events at Kibbutz Harduf; joint outings; and regular administration meetings.