'smile4life' foundation has been active since 2017, for special needs children, teenagers and adults - and their families.
The activity of the foundation is based on volunteer work, works under the legal restrictions in Israel, under supervision of a licensed accountant, and works as a non - profit organisation.
The target audience: children, teens and adults that are under the definition 'special education' or 'special needs', without prejudice, and of course - their families.
The founder and chairman of the foundation, Tal Assayag, is a member of council of the city of Bat Yam, and supervisor of the special education of that city.
After the birth of her daughter, Shai Ayala (2007) a developmentally and mentally challenged girl, Tal decided to devote herself to this special part of society, whilst her main goal was to provide her daughter, along with the rest of these children in her city - those same precious moments that every child should experience. Whether it's a Purim party, a family holiday in Eilat or even a birthday party.
In 2017 Tal created, along with her family and friends, the 'smile4life' foundation, with her at the head of it.
The vision and purpose of the foundation:
To create a unified community and build a type of family that will provide a very real solution to the challenges and difficulties that the special family faces, through creating social activities, recreation and vacation for the special child as well as his entire family .
This vision we lead through core values, such as familial acceptance and plenty of love.
The educational goals of 'smile4life' foundation:
The strengthening and empowering of the entire family unit, with emphasis on the special parent as well as the siblings.
The emphasis we put on the special parents, we do with the belief
That a happy parent means a happy home. In doing this, we help create a supportive and loving environment, with several hours each month of fun, release and relief from the difficult every-day life that is raising a special needs child.
The emphasis on the siblings of the special needs child, we put due to the understanding that whilst caring for a special needs child, the 'regular' sibling is quite often not the centre of their attention. This way we make sure these siblings also enjoy all these special activities, and get more enjoyable ways to get to know other siblings from other families - just like them.
In addition, we create the special child a social circle that is inclusive, loving and accepting where these children strengthen their self confidence, as well as personal and social skills.
Foundation activities:
The foundation activities consist of two social events every month. One for the whole family unit. These events usually consist of approximately 500 people, not including volunteers, in which we produce mass events, for example - summer parties, Purim and Chanukah parties, extreme sports, fruit picking, mass BBQ even on independence day, and many more.
The second monthly event is meant for parents only. These events usually consist of around 100 parents of special needs children, where we produce events like a Purim gala, beach parties, exclusive cinema nights, escape rooms, karaoke nights, and many more..
On top of all this, we also have our annual family vacation. Last year we arranged for a 2 night - 3 day family extravaganza. We also have a huge annual food market, in the heart of Bat Yam, in which some of the most exclusive restaurants in Israel, donate some of their best dishes, so as all the proceeds go to our foundation.