Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith hailed Kisharon’s “truly remarkable” work when he toured its new further educational facility in Stamford Hill on Monday.
Based at the Brenner Community Centre and run in partnership with Hackney Community College, the facility enables adults with complex learning needs to gain life skills helping them towards greater independence.
The minister met staff, students and people helped into work through Kisharon’s employment programme, led by Rabbi Shlomo Weltman.
After unveiling a plaque, Mr Duncan Smith said: “It is a privilege to be here for the inauguration of this excellent project and huge congratulations to everyone involved. Looking at Kisharon and Hackney Community College, this is a great example of how two ends of a community can come together to create something very special.”
Kisharon’s holistic approach was “part of what we are trying to do as a government — to break down the barriers. Everyone has something to give to life and to be able to find that talent is truly remarkable.”
Other speakers included Bella Sharer, whose son Chaim Boruch, 24, is a long-time Kisharon client.
“I am really humbled to think of all the efforts behind the scenes for the benefit of my son, who has been helped by Kisharon since he was eight years old,” she said. “I have nothing but praise for [Kisharon chief executive] Dr Beverley Jacobson because she wanted more for our children. I am really grateful to her and to Hackney Community College for their determination to bring structure into our children’s lives.Thank you for making our children so special.”
Earlier, the head of Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, Rabbi Ephraim Padwa, also toured the facility, expressing “deep appreciation for Kisharon and the efforts of its staff. The whole community recognises the importance of what you are doing.”
