JDC enables young adults with special needs to be National Service volunteers

Ever since he was a child, Yosef expressed an interest in volunteering. But for many years, it seemed hard to believe that Yosef, who was born with a degenerative muscular disease and has difficulty speaking, would ever have the opportunity to do so. Then Yosef heard about Shlavim, a National Service program for young adults with special needs, and decided to volunteer while completing high school in a special education framework.

Yosef, who is now 19, volunteered by taking responsibility for the Shlavim website which provides information about the program, profiles participants and includes such interactive features as forums and a guestbook. With no prior experience in building or maintaining websites, Yosef took upon himself the task of learning the necessary skills to successfully build and run the site.

Although it is not easy for Yosef to communicate verbally, he is passionate about his volunteer work and is determined to spread an important message to other special needs teens that they too, can complete national service duty.

In Israel, post-high school service either in the IDF or as a National Service volunteer is a rite of passage into adult society. Many young adults with a range of disabilities are left feeling marginalized and find it difficult to secure employment or continue onto higher education. Yosef believes that by visiting the website and reading about the work of successful volunteers, special needs young adults will be inspired to volunteer their time and energy in the Shlavim framework.

The Shlavim program, a partnership between JDC, the Gvanim Association for Education and Community Involvement, a number of government ministries and various National Service associations, provides special needs individuals with the opportunity to volunteer and give back to the society in which they belong.

While focusing on one's capabilities instead of his or her limitations, Shlavim equips its participants with fundamental life skills and practical work experience that are essential for their future success and transition into mainstream Israeli society. There are currently 89 young adults aged 18-21, participating in this unique program, in four geographic regions across Israel.

Yosef, who decided to volunteer for a second year of service, embodies the true mission of the Shalvim program - helping others with his unique talents, rather than surrendering to his severe physical limitations. As he continues to design and maintain the program's website, Yosef's mother is overwhelmed by the positive effect the experience has had on her son's self confidence.

As for Yosef himself, he has one simple message to share with other young adults with special needs. "I advise you to volunteer for National Service because it is important to contribute to society. Participating in Shlavim proves that we, individuals with physical and mental limitations, are capable of much more than most people expect from us."