Rishon LeZion provides a wide variety of services for the needy. Municipal institutions help children of poor families, rehabilitate prisoners, assist the mentally sick, support teenagers at risk, care for disabled children, integrate new immigrants and support senior citizens.
Children
Rishon LeZion runs 52 day-care centers for little children who come from disadvantaged families. The centers serve as warm and supportive second homes for the kids. The “parents” in these centers have undergone special training and get ongoing support from the city's social workers. Day “clubs” throughout the city look after older children from disadvantaged families. Rishon also offers temporary alternative accommodations to children and young people living in perilous conditions at home… until a suitable solution is found.
Ex - Convicts
Rishon's Ex - Convict Rehabilitation Authority maintains regular contact with ex-convicts even before their release. Later, it provides counseling and professional advice to ensure their reintegration into society and the workplace. The department of Social Services maintains regular contact with convict's families and also ensures teacher - support for their children.
Teenagers at Risk
The city's social workers help teenagers in danger of becoming criminals to return to a normal social framework. Prevention and treatment help these people to prepare themselves for adult life and military service. School dropouts get sex education and special training programs and attend seminars on the dangers of drugs. Most of the kids go on to join the army, complete military service and then reintegrate into society. In a day dormitory in Nahalat Yehuda, dropouts from junior high schools get special treatment.
Disabled Children
The “Hatsav” and “Vered” schools, for disabled children aged between 3 and 21 provide a longer school day than in mainstream schools. Older people go to “Ma'as” - an educational organization that keeps them active making things such as wicker baskets and embroidered items.
From Soldier to Civilian
Recently discharged army soldiers get help from the municipality's Ex-Servicemen Department. Here they can learn their rights and get information about loans and grants for studying. The department organizes annual events where ex-servicemen get information on education and employment.
Disabled People
The Authority for Social Integration assists disabled people to integrate into society, providing them and their families with customized solutions and treatment. The “Meital Home” is a place to which disadvantaged people over 21 come every day. Rishon also employs qualified personnel in a number of other "homes" for disabled people.
Single Parent Families
A single-parent family center provides legal advice and support and runs a variety of activities and workshops for parents and children.
New Immigrants
The Social Integration Division helps new immigrants whether they are individuals, families or entire communities. The Division acts as a mediator and coordinator on their behalf when they come into contact with official bodies for the first time. These immigrants learn Hebrew in language schools and participate in a variety of cultural programs. There is also a technological center for engineer immigrants.
Old-Timers
Clubs for thousands of senior citizens organize social activities, classes, lectures and get-away-from-it-all outings. Thanks to special helpers employed by the municipality to help old people who live alone in Rishon, senior citizens can continue to live comfortably in their own homes. Even people who need special treatment get whatever they need - all kinds of home car services including hot meals. Should it become necessary, the municipality helps them find places in even more caring frameworks.
Community Volunteers
The Social Programs Division coordinates the voluntary activities of individuals and groups and encourages them by recruiting more volunteers.