Without breathing space, many parents would be forced to institutionalize their challenged child - a detriment for both the child and the family. Shalva provides respite time for parents and families of special needs children, enabling them to address the ongoing pressing needs of the family.

Shalva enables challenged youngsters better integration into mainstream society. We teach daily living skills - cognitive, motor and social - to these children, helping them reach full potential and optimum independence.

We aim to promote effective social skills. Under the watchful eyes of trained professionals and volunteers, the youngsters experience a wide range of enriching and stimulating recreational activities that result in natural socializing - vital for society's acceptance.

Shalva is a reliable information center for parents, offering continuous encouragement, hands-on support and empowering them with cutting-edge information, forums for dialogue and, ultimately, improved quality of life for the entire family.

Advocacy is a crucial component of our work, helping families to navigate the Israeli medical/educational/institutional bureaucracies. We provide access to essential information which, in turn, will ensure that everyone's rights - children and families - are recognized.

We aim to foster the values of acceptance, inclusion and tolerance.

Shalva serves as an international example, generously sharing its resources, research and advances in community services for the special needs population.

We continue to expand our relationships with academic institutions that are anxious to evaluate Shalva methodology and to make all information available to professionals and interrelated organizations/interest groups.