The Shomron Development Fund opened the first privately sponsored sheltered workshop in the Shomron in March 2004. Once fully operational, the sheltered workshop will provide employment and work therapy for 120 people ranging from senior citizens to the physically and mentally disabled.

The facility was built on municipal property in conjunction with the Department of Social Services and the Department of Employment of the Shomron Regional Council. Located in the industrial area of Barkan, the second largest industrial park in all of Israel, the facility is well-positioned to place its workers in simple to more complex assembly line jobs.

The Fund has already been in contact with several large and well-established factories in order to arrange sub-contracted work and the requests have been met with positively by those in charge. Going to an established workplace will help give the workers the independence, self-esteem, social interaction and small salary they need to grow and develop.

We currently have six part-time workers who are eager to get down to business.

Here's how you can help:

With a grant of $75,000 we will be able to complete phase one of the sheltered workshop project, including purchasing equipment and obtaining additional, lucrative construction contract agreements with companies here in the Barkan Industial Zone.