A Message from Our Board Chair
Elena Itskovich
Board Chair, American Friends of Jordan River Village
“
In 2025 we strengthened therapeutic services, expanded national outreach through Team Netta, and launched alumni initiatives such as Future Ready. These milestones represent our evolution from a single site camp into a national actor serving children with serious illness and disability across Israel.
”
About Us
Our Village
Jordan River Village, where Israel’s children living with serious illness and disability find joy, strength, and life-changing experiences that help them heal, grow, and build a brighter future. All programs are free of charge.
Jordan River Village is Israel’s only overnight camp designed specifically for children facing serious health challenges, including chronic illnesses and disabilities. As a full member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, JRV provides a safe and nurturing environment that helps children thrive and achieve their full potential.
Located on 64 acres in the Lower Galilee, the facility is purpose-built to accommodate the unique needs of its participants. It features state-of-the-art medical facilities, including a trauma room, pharmacy, and full-time medical staff, ensuring the highest safety standards. The Village’s design emphasizes accessibility, with wheelchair-friendly attractions, a swimming pool with independent access, accessible playgrounds, and art workshops.
Supported by a robust network of over 1,500 volunteers and 200 medical professionals annually, JRV has served over 50,000 children since opening in 2012. Each year, the camp welcomes more than 9,000 children and 700 family members, offering all programs free of charge to ensure no child is ever turned away due to socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, or national differences.
Our Mission
To provide Israel’s children facing serious illness and disability with transformative, medically safe experiences that build confidence, independence, friendship, and joy.
Our Values
SeriousFun. We cultivate an “I can do” mindset that lasts
Inclusion. Every child belongs, regardless of diagnosis or ability
Dignity. Each participant is seen beyond their illness
Safety. Clinical excellence and preparedness are foundational
Community. Lifelong friendships and support networks matter
Medical Conditions Served:
- Epilepsy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Rheumatic Diseases
- Rare Syndromes
- Metabolic Diseases
- Organ Transplant Recipients
- Neurological Disorders
- Diabetes
- Psychiatric Conditions
- Dermatological Diseases
- Thalassemia
- Visual Impairment
- Hearing Impairment
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Burn Victims
- Endocrine Diseases
- Hemophilia
Our Impact
2025: Resilience, Growth and National Expansion
Alongside our core programs, 2025 marked three significant milestones that expanded our long-term capacity and reach:
1
Launch of Team Netta — National Service Training Center
During its pilot year, the Team Netta program worked intensively with 10 national service volunteers from a sister organization. The pilot proved highly successful, demonstrating both the need for structured training and the powerful ripple effect created when volunteers are equipped with the SeriousFun “Can Do” methodology. Participants left with stronger professional tools and a more confident approach to working with children with medical complexity. In 2026 JRV aims to scale the program to 10 sister organizations and train more than 100 national service volunteers. By doing so, Team Netta will continue elevating the standard of care nationwide and multiplying Jordan River Village’s impact far beyond its campus.
2
Launch of Future Ready — Alumni Program to support teens as they transition from high school into adulthood
The inaugural cohort included 15 alumni entering 12th grade. Recognizing the complexity of this life stage, Future Ready is designed as a two-year framework, accompanying participants through their final year of high school and the critical period immediately following graduation. The program helps teens clarify their goals, pursue higher education or employment opportunities, build leadership skills, and engage in meaningful volunteer pathways. Most importantly, it ensures that youth leave the Village with a clear next step and a supportive structure to step into.
Based on strong engagement and early success, the plan for 2026 is to scale the program to 40 alumni, deepening the Village’s long-term commitment to ensuring that children who grow up at JRV continue to thrive well into adulthood.
3
Launch and Expansion of Hydrotherapy Services
In 2025, our swimming pool was converted into a hydrotherapy center. Staffed by 10 certified hydrotherapists, the program now serves approximately 270 patients each week and delivers roughly 770 individualized treatments per month. For children with complex medical conditions, these sessions are not recreational; they are medical treatments designed to improve mobility, reduce pain, build strength, and enhance overall functioning. For many participants, hydrotherapy directly supports rehabilitation goals and daily independence. As a result, the pool is not simply an added service, but a critical component of care that is measurably improving quality of life for hundreds of families.
“
“The connection and care the counselors show each child is truly exceptional.”
2025 Core Programs
Immersive Weeklong Camp Sessions
For medically independent children facing serious illness and chronic conditions:
children participated in overnight camp sessions focused on resilience, independence, and peer connection.
Family Weekend Retreats
For medically dependent children and their families:
family members participated in therapeutic retreats offering rest, emotional strengthening, and whole-family support.
Village on Wheels — Hospital Outreach
Bringing the Village experience to children who cannot leave medical settings:
children were reached through hospital-based programming and community outreach across Israel.
Special Education School Sessions
Through partnerships with Israel’s special education frameworks:
children engaged in overnight camp experiences alongside teachers and professional staff.
Heroes Journey — Outdoor Leadership Experience
A challenging leadership experience for returning participants ages 16–17:
team members completed an empowering multi-day camping expedition
2025 In Numbers
Largest Year in Our History
total children served
immersive overnight camp participants
hospital outreach participants
family retreat participants
volunteers
medical professionals volunteered
Since opening in 2011, more than 50,000 children have been served.
Growth Over Three Years
2023: 8,593 children
2024: 9,758 children
2025: 10,148 children
The Camper Experience
Impact is measured not only in reach but in transformation.
95% felt a strong sense of belonging
90% formed new friendships
90% tried something new
83% improved confidence and independence
80% adopted healthier habits that lasted after camp
96% felt medical care was accessible and reassuring
“
“Your team gave our family renewed strength. From the moment we arrived, we felt supported and uplifted.“
Financial Overview
Financial Overview
Independent Income
•
Healthcare Providers (Hydrotherapy Pool): $224K
•
Renting Facilities: $144K
•
Team Netta Trainings: $19K
•
Store Sales: $7K
Sub-Total: Independent Income: $393K
Fundraising Income
•
Foundations: $968K
•
Individuals: $933K
•
Corporations: $455K
•
Israeli Government: $824K
•
SeriousFun Network: $557K
•
Capital Campaign Fund: $562K
Sub-Total: Fundraising Income: $4,296K
Total Income $4,689,227
Programmatic Investment
The majority of resources were directed toward core mission delivery:
•
Yearlong Camp: $1186k
•
Summer Camp: $708k
•
Family Weekends: $695k
•
Hydrotherapy Pool: $469k
•
Hospital Outreach: $87k
•
Petting Zoo: $57k
•
Team Netta: $32k
•
Heroes Journey: $25k
•
Facility Maintenance: $1084k
•
Admin: $544k
Core Programs and Operations Summary
Total Expenses: $4,886,016
In 2025, Jordan River Village invested nearly $4.9 million in direct programming, therapeutic services, infrastructure, and administrative operations to support children and families across Israel.
Financial Perspective
Approximately:
•
67% of total expenses were directed to direct programs and therapeutic services
•
22% to facilities, security, and capital improvements
•
11% to administrative and organizational support
This allocation reflects a mission-driven model that prioritizes program excellence while investing responsibly in safety, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability.
Three year comparison
•
Income
•
Operating budget
In 2026, sessions will serve children facing psychiatric conditions, epilepsy, developmental and behavioral challenges, intestinal and immunological disorders, and many other complex diagnoses.
Each session represents friendships formed, independence built, and families strengthened.
Our goal is to reach every child in Israel living with serious illness or disability
“
“At camp, I understood I wasn’t the only one. I began to accept my illness and take responsibility for my care.”
Shani (18)
What You Can DO
Give Israel’s most vulnerable children the experiences they deserve.
Get regular updates on how we change lives.
We want to hear from you.
“
“The camp taught me how to build friendships with confidence”
Michal (14)