Who are we?

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

Gvanim is an incubator for social initiatives and community entrepreneurs. Our mission is to develop and implement programs in partnership with the communities we serve, and during this process, build additional partnerships and create a broader network of support.

Gvanim’s programs provide social services and a support infrastructure in the following fields including early childhood development, children, youth and families at risk, people with disabilities, young adults, immigrants in crisis, community resilience, and community volunteerism.

Gvanim operates programs that provide a wide umbrella of support for many aspects of life such as rehabilitative employment, protected housing within community, learning centers and social clubs, volunteering and contributing to the community, psychological counseling and paramedical treatments, etc. More than 5,000 people directly benefit from Gvanim programs, most of whom are residents of Sderot and the surrounding area.

Since 2001, Sderot has been under constant attack from kasam rockets from the Gaza strip. The security crisis significantly influences Gvanim’s activities in the city. 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 vulnerable populations.  These 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 danger.