Help CenterOur StoryTimeline

Timeline

1985-1995

Birth of the Help Center with three children and three therapists.

  • - Morning and Afternoon Programs for children (6-14yrs).
  • - Early Intervention Program.
  • - Medical Agreement with Bakhsh Hospital.
  • - An affiliate of Mencap, Inclusion International, Lebenshilfe, and International Portage Association.
  • - started the ‘Art Program’.
  • - Started the Pre-School Program.
  • - Started the Pre-Workshop Program with 9 children, and 3 teachers.
  • - The Help Center’s newsletter.
  • - Children first performance “Jungle Book”.
  • - First Mothers’ committee and the first Fathers’ committee.
  • - First summer camp.
  • - First Sport Day & Swimming Gala.
  • - Founding stone and time capsule of the new premises were placed by the late Sheikh Ahmed Juffali.
  • - Representative of the International VSA-arts in KSA.
  • - The library and music program were established.
  • - Inauguration of the new premises with 190 children enrolled and 120 employees.
  • - First participation in “Al Amal Camp” organized by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.

1996-2000

The Late HRH Prince Majed bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud officially inaugurated the current premises.

  • - 1500 families serviced, 274 children enrolled and employees reached 144.
  • - The Early Intervention Program's first printed publication entitled “Dear Mother... Dear Father”.
  • - 1st Symposium on the importance of Early Intervention.
  • - Launched theatre productions in our new premises.
  • - Employment opportunities of Help Center graduates were ncreated by employing 2 graduates at Gandour industries and Juffali Factories.
  • - Late HRH King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’ visited as a prince.
  • - HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman’ visit.
  • - 2nd Symposium titled “Behavior Management”.

2000-2005

  • - Help Center Alumni Club was established.
  • - 3rd Symposium on “Employment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities”.
  • - “Desert Knights” troupe of performing actors with intellectual disabilities was created.
  • - Our male athletes won gold and silver medals at “Alaab Al Quwa Kingdom Championship” for children with CP.
  • - Juffali Family received an award at the First Special Needs Festival held in Riyadh.
  • - Children represented VSA-Arts KSA at VSA- South Africa mFestival in Cape Town.
  • - Children represented VSA-Arts KSA at VSA International Festival in Washington D.C.
  • - Participation for the first time in the Special Olympics Games in Rhodes and won (4) medals in total.
  • - Participation in MENA Region Sp

2005-2010

  • - “Dirat Ajdadi” the Help Center's Alumni Sports and Recreational Club.
  • - Expansion of our programs; “Abkareno” science laboratory, outdoor farm, art studio and a library with around 2700 books.
  • - 2 graduates won gold medals at the Paralympic Games in China.
  • - An alum triumphantly reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
  • - Golden Award for Saudization from the Ministry of Labor.
  • - 4 th Symposium titled "Young Adults & Beyond... Towards a Secure & Stable Future”.
  • - "Desert Gazelles" Sports team was formed.
  • - Awarded the Runner-up award for the Chaillot Prize by the European Union Delegation.
  • - Joined “Rehabilitation International Organization”.
  • Knights” and travel for the first time outside the Kingdom for a performance in Kuwait.
  • - Launched of “Fire Bolt Friendly Games 1”.
  • - 1st basketball game for the Females’ Team.

2011-2015

  • - Awarded King Khalid Award for Excellence in Social Projects.
  • - Awarded Makkah Award for Excellence.
  • - Release of “Mint Cardamom& Ginger” book which represents 81 stories by families of the Help Center.
  • - Release “Mint Cardamom& Ginger” book, the English version.
  • - Application of new physiotherapy techniques; Kinesiotaping.
  • - “360 -degree Program” towards an integrated life for persons with intellectual disabilities.
  • - Awarded “Princess Seetah Bint Abdulaziz Award” for Excellence in Social Work- Encouraging award.
  • - Launched “Start Small... Grow Slow... Make a Difference” book- English version.
  • - Re-print Early Intervention booklet “Dear Mother.. Dear Father”.
  • - SPARK communication “Coaching parents to use Hanen strategies” workshop.
  • - Created “Communication Flash Card Box” for language skills’ development.

2016-2020

  • - Application of new physiotherapy techniques; CME (Cuevas Medek Exercises).
  • - “Desert Helpers” volunteering group was formed.
  • - First Inclusion Summer Camp.
  • - “Desert Gazelles” participation in Oaza Sport GamesSarajevo- Bosnia.
  • - “Desert Knights” troupe participation in Janadriya.
  • - Launch of “Come Cook with Me” campaign and the cook booklet.
  • - Launch of “Come Design with me” campaign to raise awareness and promote the capabilities of persons with intellectual disabilities.
  • - Launch of “Start Small... Grow Slow... Make a Difference”, Arabic version.
  • - “Desert Knights” troupe participation in Very Special Art Festival- Egypt.
  • - “Desert Gazelles” sport team participation in Beirut Marathon.
  • - Active members in the Special Olympics Saudi Arabia, by having some of Help Center’ “Desert Gazelles” female athletes took part in Special Olympics Games -Abu Dhabi, and the all-female team at the first regional floorball cup held in Cairo.
  • - “Hakouna Matat” performance on Help Center’ stage.
  • - Participation in “Ramadan Aman” campaign.
  • - Launch of the “Karoo Kings” an active team of men and women promoting and selling their products.
  • - Participation in MBC- Arabs Got Talent-Al Amal program in Lebanon.
  • - “Desert Knights” troupe participation in the Art and Music Festival in Southern Korea.
  • - Member in “Inclusion International- Mena” Organization.
  • - “80” of Help Center graduates have been employed.
  • - Couples’ sessions in the Early Intervention.
  • - Abu-Bakr Ba-Dahman became self-advocate and spokesperson.
  • - “Desert Knights” troupe participation in “Champion” movie.
  • - Launch of “KaffaK” Sport book.
  • - Launch of “Hakatha Attallm” educational series.
  • - Designed the “HC@Home” an online program during Coronavirus pandemic.
  • - #Attentive_Ears " Initiative during Coronavirus pandemic to support persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their families.
  • - #B Active_HC” sport campaign with famous athletes to promote the importance sport activities during Coronavirus pandemic.