Ezer Mizion recognizes the urgent need these parents have for an occasional "breather" - when they can entrust their special child with a loving substitute, while they take a well deserved break to bond with the rest of their family and recharge their own batteries.

For this purpose, Ezer Mizion, in cooperation with the National Social Services Department, initiated its Hakalah Respite Program. Each special child recognized by the Social Service is entitled to spend 15 days a year with selected trained host families.  Ezer Mizion locates and trains appropriate host families, matches them with the special needs child and family, and arranges the weekends and breaks which efficiently and caringly bringing true respite to the parents of these children.

In the year 2009 alone, over 600 children - physically handicapped, mentally retarded and autistic - participated in the Respite Program across the country, totaling several thousand overnight stays at host families. The project served a wide range of communities, from the larger Jerusalem and Bnei Brak area, to numerous smaller towns, such as Netivot, Ohr Yehudah, Kiryat Gat, and many more.

The Unsung Heroes
This vital project would not be possible without the dedication of hundreds of host families, who - with minimal compensation - generously open their home to special needs children and young adults who require round the clock attention and extensive care.

Ezer Mizion hosted an exciting evening for the host families to acknowledge their efforts and salute their dedication. There was an impressive turnout, and the participants were treated to enjoyable and interesting activities.

Upon their arrival, the participants were greeted by an esthetic spread of light refreshments. Once they were settled in their places, the evening was opened by greetings from Rabbi Lapidus, director of the Modi'in Ilit branch of Ezer Mizion, whose heartfelt words inspired all of those present. He spoke about all that Ezer Mizion does on behalf of the community as a whole, and for families of special children in particular, pointing out the unique contribution of the Hakalah Respite Program host families and thanking them for their efforts.

The focus of the evening was raising awareness and sharing feelings on the subject through the keynote session: "How Hosting Special Children In The Hakalah Respite Program Framework Impacts The Host Family."

Participants shared the variety of responses that the hosting experience drew out in their family - the emotional enrichment it endows, alongside the challenges it presents (fears, concerns, and at times, a feeling of acute helplessness).

Some pointed out the joy engendered by caring for a special child, the enhancement of relationships within the family and their capacity for tolerating hardship.  Another angle discussed was the unique bond formed with the families of the special children, the profound empathy with the child's parents and siblings, and a deeper understanding of their discomfort in various situations.

The participants spoke about the efforts invested to understand and empathize with the child, to "get into his shoes" - as well as into those of his parents - and to give him a feeling of a "home away from home" and the love of a second "mother". The experience was bolstered by use of games and other means to increase awareness.