Who are we?

Gvanim Association is a non-profit nongovernmental organization (NGO) for social change with more than 40 active projects and programs for disadvantaged populations in Sderot, the Northern Negev region and, in some cases, all of Israel.  The association was founded in 1994 by members of Sderot’s urban kibbutz, “Migvan.”

The principle guiding Gvanim is development and operation of programs in cooperation with the communities we serve, while finding partners and creating cross-organization networks of support.  Gvanim acts as a hothouse for social initiatives and community entrepreneurs.

Gvanim’s programs include services and support networks in the following fields:  early childhood development; children, youth and families at risk; people with disabilities; young adults; immigrants;  community volunteerism.

These programs provide a wide umbrella of support for many aspects of life.  Examples of our programs include: protected factories; learning centers; social clubs; psychological counseling and para-medical treatments.

More than 2,500 people directly benefit from Gvanim programs, most of whom live in or near Sderot.  Since 2001 Sderot has been constantly attacked by rockets from the Gaza Strip.  The intensifying security crisis has had a severe impact on Gvanim’s programs.  Gvanim employs about 280 people, most of whom live in Sderot and the surrounding areas; all are committed to meeting the challenge of supporting the city’s most needy communities.  Those disadvantaged populations, who need support during quiet times, are all the more vulnerable and in need of support during these times of uncertainty, anxiety and terror.