JEDDAH – The Hope Center For Exceptional Needs received its third grant from Boeing, supporting the center in its efforts to strengthen special needs education in Saudi Arabia. The grant was provided following a competitive application and review process, and will allow the center to reach out and cater to students with developmental delays who are enrolled in mainstream education institutes, but have no access to specialized therapies programs. The grant will go toward providing these students with occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language pathology. The specialized programs will be directed by qualified professionals in their respective fields. “At Boeing, we aim to be a facilitator of community change, not simply a source of community funding,” said Ahmed Jazzar, President, Boeing Saudi Arabia. “Over the course of our long history in the Kingdom, we have worked together with our partners to create positive change in the communities in which we operate, and today we are pleased to take part in an event that furthers community development throughout Saudi Arabia and encourages companies enhance their social responsibility programs in the Kingdom,” he added. The center has grown from a two-room containment to a 26-room facility in a span of 16 years of operation. The diversity of special needs concerns addressed has steadily increased with time with the latest additions to the staff being two educational psychologists who cater to both the Arabic and non-Arabic speaking community. “Boeing's support has been vital for our growth and we appreciate their involvement in our quest for sustainability and stability,” said Hussein Hamed Fayez, Chairman of the organization. “We established Hope keeping in mind the following; a vital mission, high quality, responsive and unduplicated programs and services, reliable and diverse revenue streams, clear lines of accountability and facilities. Hope is a non-profit organization and is open for to all regardless of race, religion, gender, and type of disability.” Local residents can see how the center is benefiting from the Boeing grant funds by keeping in touch with their social media updates on Facebook (www.facebook.com/hopeksa), and also by visiting their website (www.hopeksa.org) to stay updated on latest community events and services. “Everyone knows that disabilities come with hardship, tribulation, and adversities. The Hope center for exceptional needs was set up to ease these for both the child and the family. This grant from Boeing is one of the keys to our organization's survival,” expressed Dr. Uzma Raheem, founder of HOPE, said: “This type of corporate social responsibility is the victory we draw strength from and it helps keep our eyes fixed on our ultimate goals. This grant will host six therapists in both English and Arabic thereby taking therapeutic services a notch higher. This will enable more children to receive both in-patient and outpatient therapeutic services. We can't thank Boeing enough for the great initiative to serve the community,” she added. — SG
