NGO #15772
تأسس مركز سبافورد للأطفال في عام 1925 ، وهو واحد من أقدم المؤسسات العاملة في البلدة القديمة بالقدس. يقدم المركز خدمات تعليمية وعلاجية للأطفال الذين يعانون من صعوبات في التعلم والنطق والتحديات النفسية والاجتماعية، بهدف دعم نموهم الأكاديمي والعاطفي. يقع المركز في مبنى تاريخي يزيد عمره عن 100 عام، مما يجعله جزءًا من الإرث الثقافي والمعماري للمنطقة. على مر العقود، لعب المركز دورًا حيويًا في تقديم خدمات الرعاية والدعم للأطفال وعائلاتهم، خاصة في ظل الظروف الاجتماعية والاقتصادية الصعبة التي تواجهها المجتمعات في القدس الشرقية.
لقد مكّنت خدمات مركز سبافورد العديد من الأطفال المستضعفين من الانتظام في الدراسة، وساهمت في تقديم تدخلات فعالة وفي الوقت المناسب كلما كان الطفل معرضًا لخطر التسرب من المدرسة. يوفر المركز برنامجًا متكاملًا لدعم الأطفال الذين يعانون من اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة (PTSD)، واضطراب نقص الانتباه (ADD)، واضطراب فرط الحركة ونقص الانتباه (ADHD). تعتمد البرامج على سنوات طويلة من الخبرة التي اكتسبها المركز في العمل مع الأطفال الذين يعانون من صعوبات التعلم واضطرابات النمو الأخرى. يشمل هذا العمل الأساسي التدريس العلاجي، والدعم النفسي والاجتماعي للأطفال، وبرامج تمكين الأمهات.
يعتمد العلاج النفسي والاجتماعي القياسي للأطفال المصابين باضطراب فرط الحركة ونقص الانتباه على تنظيم بيئة الطفل، بما في ذلك دعم الوالدين والمعلمين. فقد يؤدي اضطراب الطفل إلى توتر العلاقات الأسرية، مما يؤثر سلبًا على سلوك الوالدين أو الأشقاء، مما يزيد من ردود الفعل السلبية لدى الطفل. لذلك، يجب أن تكون التدخلات شاملة ومتكاملة لمحاولة كسر هذه الحلقة السلبية المحتملة. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، يجب على الأهل أن يدركوا أن موقفهم وطريقة تعاملهم سيكون لهما تأثير كبير على تطور طفلهم في المستقبل.
لطالما قدم مركز سبافورد للأطفال نهجًا شاملاً في التعامل مع هذه الحالات. حيث يتم تقييم الأطفال من قبل أخصائي نفسي، وبناءً على النتائج، يتم إرشاد الأهل لتسجيل أطفالهم، وفقًا لأعمارهم، في دورات التدريس العلاجي، أو علاج النطق، أو العلاج باللعب، أو العلاج بالدراما النفسية، أو الاستشارات. قد يحتاج بعض الأطفال إلى الالتحاق بعدة دورات في نفس الوقت. كما سيشاركون في أنشطة إبداعية وفنية مثل رقصة الدبكة، والفنون والحرف اليدوية، والموسيقى، والتي تساعد في تخفيف أعراض التوتر النفسي الناجم عن الصدمات، وتعزيز التفاعل الاجتماعي مع الأقران والمعلمين، ومعالجة مشاعر انعدام الأمن.
The Spafford Children’s Center (SCC) is a non-governmental organization located in Old city in Jerusalem city and has been caring for children and their families since 1925 adapting its services to meet the changing needs of the Palestinian society. Currently it has a robust psychological and educational support program, which has expanded to include speech and play therapy, social work services and other therapeutic and creative programs. SCC is an expert organization that provides special remedial teaching services, psychosocial therapeutic services and cultural activities to children through a holistic approach in various areas in East Jerusalem. SCC is also supporting families of children through well-designed empowerment programs to parents of vulnerable children. SCC services have enabled many vulnerable children to regularly attend school and enabled a timely and effective intervention whenever a child is facing a sudden risk of dropout for being in conflict with the Israeli law. The Spafford Children’s Centre offers an integrated, supportive program for children experiencing PTSD, ADD, and ADHD. The programs are based on the many years of experience SCC has working with children who have learning and other developmental disorders. This essential work includes tutoring (called remedial teaching), psychosocial support for children, and empowerment programs for mothers.
The standard psychosocial treatment for children with ADHD involves structuring the child’s environment including parents and teachers. A child with ADHD may disrupt family relationships, having a negative effect on the behaviour of the parents or siblings, which subsequently increases the reactive behaviour of the child. Interventions should, therefore, be comprehensive and integrated in an attempt to interrupt this potentially negative spiral. Additionally, parents need to appreciate that their attitude and approach will be significant for the child’s further development. The SCC has long offered a comprehensive approach. Children are assessed by a psychologist and based on the findings the parents are counselled to register the child, depending on his/her age, for courses in remedial teaching, speech or play therapy, psychodrama, and counselling. Some children will need simultaneous courses in different subjects. They will also participate in creative artistic activities as Dabkah dancing, arts and handicrafts, music that is beneficial for dissipating traumatic stress symptoms and promote socializing with peers and teachers while addressing feelings of insecurity.
rovide Holistic Support for Children , Offer integrated educational, psychological, and therapeutic services to support the cognitive, emotional, and social development of Palestinian children.
Enhance Access to Remedial Education , Provide specialized remedial teaching programs to help children with learning difficulties and prevent school dropouts.
Offer Psychosocial and Therapeutic Interventions ,Deliver speech therapy, play therapy, psychodrama, and other psychosocial support programs for children experiencing trauma, PTSD, ADHD, and other challenges.
Support and Empower Families , Conduct parenting workshops, counseling sessions, and empowerment programs to strengthen the role of parents in their children’s development.
Promote Cultural and Creative Activities , Engage children in artistic, musical, and cultural activities like Dabkah, arts and crafts, and storytelling to enhance self-expression and social interaction.
Strengthen Community Awareness ,Work with schools, educators, and social workers to raise awareness of children’s developmental, emotional, and learning challenges and facilitate referrals to SCC services.
Ensure Early Intervention and Prevention ,Identify and support at-risk children at an early stage to provide timely interventions and prevent worsening psychological and educational difficulties.
Advocate for Children's Rights , Promote the rights of Palestinian children to education, healthcare, and a safe environment through community engagement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Remedial Teaching Unit Focuses on supporting children with learning difficulties through specialized educational programs to improve their academic performance and prevent school dropouts.
• Psychosocial Support Unit Provides psychological counseling, play therapy, and psychodrama to help children cope with trauma, emotional challenges, and behavioral issues.
• Speech and Language Therapy Unit Offers assessment and therapy for children with speech and language difficulties to enhance their communication skills.
• Social Work and Family Support Unit Works with families to provide counseling, parental guidance, and empowerment programs to strengthen the family’s role in child development.
• Therapeutic and Health Services Unit Ensures children’s physical well-being through health check-ups, medical consultations, and referrals to healthcare services when needed.
• Cultural and Recreational Activities Unit Engages children in artistic, musical, and cultural activities such as Dabkah, arts and crafts, and storytelling to promote self-expression and social interaction.
• Community Outreach and Advocacy Unit Works with schools, educators, and community organizations to raise awareness about children's rights and facilitate early intervention programs.
• Administrative and Finance Unit Oversees organizational operations, human resources, financial management, and coordination of services to ensure smooth program implementation.