By Nativia Bühler

During a recent visit to a therapeutic medical clinic in Jerusalem, the ICEJ Aid team heard a startling statistic.

“In Israel, nearly one in five people live with some form of disability,” said Ye’ara, a senior manager at the clinic. “That is why opportunities like this are rare and invaluable.”

Ye’ara was speaking of a beautiful new garden which the ICEJ-USA branch is supporting to help Israeli adults with severe disabilities in developing skills, confidence, friendships, and a true sense of purpose. This innovative garden will give these worthy recipients a second chance at building a productive and meaningful life.

It was so encouraging for our ICEJ Aid team to find the garden alive with laughter, the scent of fresh herbs, and the warmth of sunlight shining down on a thriving green oasis.

The participants range in age from their early twenties to over sixty. Most were born with conditions such as Down syndrome or autism, while others acquired disabilities later in life due to accidents. What unites them is the need for structured support and a place where they are truly believed in. This is not a program with an expiration date. Many will continue coming for years, learning, working, and returning each week — even after securing jobs elsewhere. For them, this center has become a community that feels like family.

Some participants require constant supervision, while others are preparing for jobs in cafés, offices, and other workplaces. Those already employed often return once a week to share experiences and problem-solve together. “It’s a place to check in, get advice, and feel supported,” Ye’ara explains.

Among the most cherished features is the garden itself, which staff describe as a form of therapy. Green spaces are known to reduce stress, improve mood, and provide sensory and emotional benefits for people with disabilities. Cultivating plants teaches patience, responsibility, and the joy of nurturing life. “The garden is important for them to watch life grow all around them, and it gives a sense of accomplishment and peace,” says Ye’ara.

She shares one of many testimonies: “One young man, who now works at a local café, still comes back every Tuesday. He’s always so excited to see everyone and share how his week went. It’s like he carries the encouragement from here into his job, and then brings his experiences back to inspire others.”

For many, coming to this place is about learning basic life skills: taking a bus, preparing meals, and handling money. Reading, writing, and basic math are woven into the daily routine. Field trips to supermarkets, public gardens, and other destinations bring lessons to life in real-world settings.

Cognitive skills are taught through the Feuerstein method — gathering information, making comparisons, understanding cause and effect, and connecting ideas. From there, participants move into job-specific training such as archiving documents, customer service, gardening, café work, and more.

When the center first began, there were only 38 participants. Today, there are 90, with room to grow after recent renovations. In addition, twenty-eight graduates are now employed in the wider community. Many say they do not want to leave. Even after finding jobs, they continue to come back for weekly group sessions and the warmth of the community.

“This is not charity work. It is not ‘keeping people busy.’ It’s meaningful work, with fair pay, dignity, and expectations,” Ye’ara explains.

Nationally, hundreds of thousands of working-age adults with disabilities face barriers to employment and often earn far less than their peers. This center demonstrates what is possible when the focus is on ability, not limitation.

Please consider supporting the ICEJ’s Future and Hope fund by giving at: help.icej.org/future-hope.