THE MERCAZ COCHAV ASSOCIATION

Helping Persons with Special Needs to touch the Stars
The Mercaz Cochav Maalot-Tarshiha Association (registered) is a registered non-profit association established in 1999 by a group of parents, public dignitaries and professionals in the field of social sciences.   The main aim was to develop and activate services and support framework for people with special needs in the Western Galilee.  To enable these people to enjoy a higher level of comfort and normal functioning within the community that is their natural environment.
The Mercaz Cochav Association works with the full cooperation of the families, local authorities, governmental ministries and donors involved in welfare, education and health. The Association is also active in the development of welfare services in the periphery region.
The association employs professional staff, volunteers and students that all assist in implementing all the different projects.  Many of these projects integrate people with special needs within the normative community.

The Cochav Center

A multipurpose service center for the treatment and support of people with intellectual disabilities.The center, established for the treatment and support of persons with intellectual disabilities, began as a unique pilot project in 1996 by the Ministry of Social Affairs wing for the mentally challenged and the Maalot-Tarshiha municipality.
The center provides a network of services of direct treatment for disabled persons of any age or functional level, counseling services and support for family members.  At the center there are a number of frameworks under one roof.  They provide professional services for approximately 150 people and their families resident in the Western Galilee encompassing all denominations and groups from the age of 3 years up to and including senior citizens.  Among the services there are social, occupational and paramedical services and an afternoon extramural framework for children after attending kindergartens and schools.  There is also a social and leisure clubhouse for children, adolescents and adults.  The center organizes weekend trips for people with special needs, summer day-camps and a learning and advanced study center.
The Mercaz Cochav Maalot-Tarshiha Association provides housing frameworks in the community for people with special needs including the “House in the Woods” hostel in Kfar Veradim and the “Lakeside View” villa in Ma’alot for religious young women with special needs from the orthodox community.
The Center diligently advances the integration of people with special needs in ongoing work in the association in voluntary and paid roles and assists members who are interested in competing for work places in the open employment market.