The Association for the Advancement of Special Populations in Northern Israel, known as Hiburim [Hebrew = Connections], addresses the unmet needs for pre-vocational training, socialization, and meaningful leisure-time activities for a diverse population of adults with special needs who cannot be placed in existing frameworks. These are individuals who do not fit neatly into any one category of disability, but have a multiplicity of problems deriving from combinations of cognitive impairments, emotional/behavioral disorders, social and interpersonal communication deficits, and sensory-motor-perceptual disabilities. Because of the complexity of challenges they present, all have histories of poor adjustment to rehabilitation frameworks; in fact, existing programs refuse to accept them, despite the government’s obligation to provide each disabled adult with a suitable day program solution.Located in the village of Bustan HaGalil just north of Akko, Hiburim has a capacity for up to 50 individuals, and includes a modest building with areas for assembly work, an area for preparing medicinal herbs, and a workshop for creating handcrafted gift items & carpentry shop that lead by psychology therapy. The building is near to the Bustan HaGalil Shore and surrounded by a park with herb gardens and petting farm that lead by Animal-assisted therapy therapist , all of farm cared for by participants as part of the therapy and leisure.The Hiburim vocational program operates according to work assignments and a daily schedule, with an emphasis on acquisition of “soft skills” that improves functioning that can transfer to sheltered/supported work settings: regular attendance; fulfilling assigned tasks in a timely manner; following instructions; positive interactions with others; organization; planning; and more. An important, indeed distinguishing, feature of Hiburim is its ecumenical nature. Founded by a Jew and a Christian, Hiburim’s staff and participants represent all the Western Galilee’s ethnic groups: Arabs - both Christians and Moslems, Druze and Jews; all Israelis working, socializing, and sharing experiences, with deep respect one for another.