Founded in Kiryat OnoELIYA’s history began in 1982 with six blind children in a program run by Batya Scharf in a child development center. The program was closed because of a lack of funds. The parents asked Batya to form an independent, specialized program for children with visual impairments. This led to the founding of ELIYA in 1982, with three teachers serving those same children in a rented facility near Tel Aviv. Batya is currently employed as ELIYA’s Director of Education.
Built Center in Petach TikvaThe program continued to grow and in 1993 ELIYA moved to its own purpose-built center in Petach Tikva, financed primarily through donations, on a plot allocated by the Municipality.
Opened Center in Be'er ShevaIn 1998 ELIYA opened a facility in Be’er Sheva, 60 miles due south of Tel Aviv in the Negev. The program occupies a large rented house, converted to meet ELIYA’s needs, and is currently serving thirty-five children with visual impairment and developmental disabilities who live within 30 miles of the facility.
Opened Center in JerusalemIn 2001 ELIYA expanded again, this time to Jerusalem. Although the building that housed ELIYA belongs to the Municipality and is very small, the programming received by the fifteen children was on a par with the other locations.
Hydrotherapy Construction CompleteELIYA completed the construction of a Hydrotherapy and Resource Center adjacent to the Petach Tikva center.
Remodeled Be'er Sheva CenterIn 2004 ELIYA remodeled the facility in Be’er Sheva in order to accommodate additional children in need of ELIYA’s programming..
New Facility in JerusalemIn 2006 ELIYA opened a new facility in Jerusalem with double the space of the original location.
2008 and BeyondWith donations and support from around the world, the future looks very bright for ELIYA.