Community Service Workers

The Megashrim Program of Merage Foundations Israel began in 2001 as a signature service offered to Iranian immigrants. The main goal of the program is to educate the staff of the absorption centers about the special needs and culture of the Iranian immigrants to accelerate the transition into their new lives. Prior to this program, the immigrants were having difficulty navigating the immigration process, negotiating with social services agencies, and fulfilling their basic service rights. The Megashrim serve as a bridge between the government and the immigrants and provide valuable educational information about social resources, welfare, employment services and housing options, as well as accompanying them through this maze. Merage Foundations Israel supports three full-time staff personnel, each based in an absorption center in Jerusalem, Ashdod and Pisgat Zeev. In addition to individual services and support, they run a year-long program based on needs analysis and past experience.