Chen was founded as a non-profit organization in 1983 by volunteers,
in conjuction with the Hod-Hasharon municipality,
with the goal of assisting people suffering from mental illness and their families.

Mrs.Hanna Goldberg, the chairman of the organization, came up with the idea of establishing a non-profit organization, aimed at helping the mentally ill and their families  in the Hod-Hasharon area. Hanna Goldberg has served as chairman of the organization since its foundation. Hanna is a woman of action, who has volunteered in the community for many years and has recieved numerous awards of recognition for her activities.

From a social club we have become a rehabilitative occupational facility aimed at assisting individuals, suffering from mental illness, integrate into the community by helping him/her develope work habbits, social skills and perform household tasks.

The term "mentally ill" arouses fear in most of us who often view those suffering from mental illness as dangerous, starnge or just plain different. However, direct contact with this special population shows us that beyond the illness and the many difficulties surrounding it, people affected by mental illness are people just like us, working to achieve love, security, esteem and success.

 

We offer these individuals jobs in a supportive environment. Each rehabilitant is provided with an individual program, while maintaining ongoing contact with his/her family and their caregivers. Today more than 50 rehabilitants work at the facility, with various degrees of mental and physical disabilities. They are referred to the facillity by Social Services, the National Insurance Institute, hospitals or through private referrals.