In 2012 the new Shalva National Children's Center will be opened in Jerusalem. It will be the largest  center of its kind in Israel, providing innovative, tailored programs and round-the-clock therapies to children with special needs, infants to young adults, seven days a week. 

The center will consist of new physio-equipment and facilities that will provide appropriate therapeutic solutions for the children's needs. Featured in the new center will be a semi-Olympic size pool designed for the disabled; a therapeutic pool; a gymnasium specially outfitted for the disabled; an auditorium; and a cafeteria. The center will be equipped to host thousands of sleepovers during the year. In keeping with the Shalva tradition, all services will be provided to the participating children and their families free of charge.

The new center is being built on a central piece of land that was allocated by the Jerusalem Municipality in appreciation of Shalva's work and its understanding of the need for such a facility in Israel.

A solution to a significant need

Commensurate with the general growth of Israel's population, there is a respective growth in the number of children with special needs.

According to recently published studies,  7% of the children who are born in Israel today are categorized as having special needs; two thirds of them do not receive proper treatment. In Jerusalem alone, there are more than 1,000 children per year who require the type of treatment provided by Shalva, in addition to many more babies, children and teenagers from around the country. With the opening of the new center, thousands of children and their families will receive much-needed therapeutic solutions, along with the support they deserve in order to maintain a regular, healthy life.

August 7, 2007 - Laying the Cornerstone

In the presence of 1,500 people - among them a delegation of American-Jewish businessmen and senior businesspeople from Israel - the children of Shalva and their families celebrated the laying of the cornerstone of their new center.

The event was celebrated in the spirit of Color My World with Hope and fashioned by the four elements of Shalva's vision - faith, love, hope and human dignity. The event also marked the 80th birthday of Congressman Tom Lantos (obm) who joined the U.S. business delegation especially to honor this event.

The New Center - Costs

For detailed cost information and to learn about commemoration opportunities, please contact sharona@shalva.org