See Me Program

The “See Me!” program aims to improve self-image, self-efficacy and independence among its participants by working to advance personal appearance, including hygiene, grooming and attire. Over the course of the program, participants become acquainted with the ability to generate positive change in their lives through various personal growth processes involving choice, responsibility, self-advocacy, goal definition and fulfillment, success, increased awareness, self-direction and more. The program was established by the Shalem Fund and Ruti Treves, in collaboration with the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Wing of the Israeli Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services and various local municipalities. Currently implemented in housing facilities for individuals with IDD, “See Me!” can benefit a wide range of additional populations. Vision: To increase awareness about personal appearance among people with intellectual and development disability (IDD) and the professional teams that work with them. Specific Goals: • To advance the perception of people with IDD as equals, while minimizing the obstacles faced by members of this community, encouraging their inclusion and integrating them in everyday social and occupational circles. • To improve self-esteem and self-efficacy among program participants by providing knowledge, practical skills and language; to increase self-direction and self-advocacy in the field of personal appearance and, consequently, to facilitate growth in other life areas. • To improve personal appearance among program participants in accordance with objective measures related to attire, hygiene and grooming. • To generate change in the way professional teams and families perceive the topic of personal appearance in the IDD community, and therefore in the way they perceive the program participants themselves. To create an enabling environment in which personal appearance is seen as a legitimate and relevant tool for advancing and meeting the needs of program participants. • To advance the professional development and empowerment of the professional teams. To unify team members and create collaborations with the teams of complementary service providers (housing/recreational/vocational). To provide team members with practical tools and techniques for advancing and guiding program participants.