Self-Advocacy & Empowerment
PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN
Education That Protects & Builds Confidence
Since its launch in 2021, Chimes Israel’s Self-Advocacy & Empowerment Program has transformed the lives of girls and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The program teaches participants about their bodies, boundaries, and personal rights while building the confidence and communication skills they need to navigate relationships safely and protect themselves from harm.
A Vulnerable & Often Overlooked Population
People with disabilities face a significantly higher risk of abuse, exploitation, and violence throughout their lives. Girls and women with disabilities face especially high risk, but boys and young men with disabilities also experience abuse at alarming and often underreported rates. Many young people struggle to recognize unsafe behavior, express discomfort, or seek help when something feels wrong. Dependence on caregivers, communication challenges, social stigma, and gaps in professional training all increase vulnerability and allow abuse to remain hidden.
Expert Leadership
We now deliver the Self-Advocacy & Empowerment Program program in partnership with Machon Argaman, Israel’s leading institute specializing in abuse prevention and empowerment education for vulnerable populations. Argaman brings deep expertise in teaching sensitive topics such as consent, relationships, and sexuality in ways that respect developmental levels and cultural context. Guided by their professional framework and current best practices, the program reflects real-life social environments.
Under their skilled facilitation, Argaman has changed to program to a co-ed model. Girls gain safe, structured opportunities to practice asserting boundaries with peers of all genders, while boys receive direct education about consent, respect, and shared responsibility. Together, they learn healthy social norms, build mutual understanding, and increase safety.
How It Works
The program operates within Chimes Israel’s after-school frameworks for children and youth with disabilities. Participants ages 12–21 attend weekly facilitated sessions across multiple cycles, with built-in reinforcement that supports long-term learning and lasting behavior change. Sessions intentionally combine single-gender learning on sensitive subjects with professionally guided co-ed components that mirror real-life social interactions.
Why This Matters
The program prevents abuse by building knowledge, skills, and self-advocacy that endure. When young people with disabilities learn to set boundaries and trust their voices, silence begins to break. Our participants report greater confidence, stronger peer support, and an increased ability to seek help when needed.
Your Role
Government funding does not cover programs like this. Your support allows us to reach more youth and sustain this critical work year after year.
Donate now to help prevent abuse, strengthen self-advocacy, and protect the safety and dignity of adolescents with disabilities in Israel.
With Gratitude
We thank the generous donors who have made this program possible.
PLEASE DONATE WHAT YOU CAN
Every gift brings us closer to protecting our vulnerable children with disabilities in Ashkelon, Israel
Donations via Wire Transfer
Bank Transfer
USA 501c3 Tax Deduction
To: Chimes Foundation,
designated to Chimes Israel
Bank: Branch Banking & Trust
111 S. Calvert Street, Suite 2200
Baltimore, MD 21202
ABA #: 055003308
Account #:1210000911516
Account Name: Chimes Foundation, Inc.
Israel 46A Tax Deduction
Account: Chimes Israel
Israel Amuta #: 58-0188894
Address: 24A Habarzel, Floor 2, Tel Aviv, 6971065 Israel
Bank: Israel Discount Bank, Branch #85, Kikar Yitzhak Rabin, 66 Ibn Gvirol Street, Tel Aviv 6495203 Israel
Account Type: Checking
Swift Routing #: IDBLILITXXX
IBAN #: IL450110850000002349428
Account #: 2349428
Personal Check
USA 501c3 Tax Deduction
To: Chimes Foundation, designated to Chimes Israel
4815 Seton Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
Israel 46A Tax Deduction
To: Chimes Israel
24A Habarzel, Floor 2, Tel Aviv, 6971065 Israel
