Israel’s Military and National Service are not equipped to accept young adults with physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities.  As a result, these young adults lack a key to integration into Israel’s society and often find themselves at a real disadvantage later in life.  Mishlavim is a program operating throughout Israel which enrolls 120 young adults with disabilities in National Service programs, similar to the opportunities available their normative peers.

Mishlavim’s volunteers serve near their homes, at least 30 hours ever week, for at least a year.  They serve in positions appropriate to their abilities.  Examples of placements include day care centers, schools, hospitals, homes for the elderly and institutions for children with disabilities.  In these positions, Mishlavim volunteers serve and support thousands of citizens. 

The program has many benefits for participants: experiencing success and advancement, opportunities to integrate into society and gaining occupational experience.  Mishlavim volunteers are also credited with changing attitudes and perceptions in the normative community regarding people with disabilities. About 450 young adults with disabilities have already successfully completed the Mishlavim program.

Gvanim is honored to lead the development of Mishlavim throughout Israel, together with Bat Ami, a National Service Association.

Gvanim thanks its Program Partners:  Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education/Division of Special Education, Ministry of Social Services/Division of Services for the Disabled/Dept of Services for People with Autism and the Volunteer Unit, Ashalim/the Division for the Developmentally Disabled, Yachdav Association, the Associations for National Service - Bat Ami and Shlomit, the Organization for Volunteers, the Municipality of Jerusalem/Dept for National Service, The Shalem Foundation, the Gandyr Foundation LTD, the Rashi Foundation