HaAguda LeHitnadvut

Organization: HaAguda LeHitnadvut “Aguda” (Israel Volunteer Association (IVA)
Website: volunteer-il.org
Mission Statement: To develop and execute meaningful long-term volunteer work experiences that help relieve social challenges across Israel and increase socially responsible attitudes amongst young Israelis.
OTC’s Role: OTC was hired by ATARA to brand the organization from inception – developing their Case for Support, creating the name ATARA, their logo, their materials and strategy. Following the first year of ATARA and through our excellent working relationship with the IVA, the IVA hired OTC to continue develop their Case for Support to include all their start-up programs and new directions and help establish new partnerships.

IVA’s Story
It’s a misnomer that Israeli’s don’t volunteer. I think of The Israel Volunteer Association as the heart and soul of the community. They have a core program for National Service and many clusters of social innovations that care for unmet social and educational problems and empowers volunteers with hands on experience and a deep and lasting sense of their individual ability to connect with people different from themselves, improve people’s lives and better society.

In fact, they were the first group to recognize that many people who don’t serve in the Army would like the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to society, even if it is not through military service. Today the IVA touches tens of thousands of people each year, with meaningful experiences of giving a year to two years’ commitment to strengthen communities in Israel and around the world. The IVA has an incubator for social start-ups. Here are three samples of IVA start-ups:

ATARA – http://www.atara.org/ As feminine as the name, ATARA is an initiative for women that are 18 or 19, that were raised in ultra-Orthodox homes, but for whatever reason have been estranged from their family. Some lived in foster care during high school. Some didn’t finish high school. On their 18th birthday, the State cut off their support as they are no longer “children,” in the eyes of the law.

The ATARA Story: A young couple – Kory and Yifat Bardash met a few 18 year old women, living on their own. They had no home and no family to turn to for support and guidance. The Bardashes tried to help. They looked high and low for a social services program that would help their new friends complete their high school requirements and get a fresh start on life. They met with the IVA and joined them as a social start-up. Today ATARA and the IVA can’t open up new branches quick enough to meet the demand to help this vulnerable population across Israel.

Bishvil – The Israeli high school students are required to volunteer in the community as a prerequisite for graduation. Bishvil trains and coaches staff and students in finding and completing a meaningful volunteer experience that instils social responsibility in all students.

International Exchange Program – The IVA has developed a long-term volunteer experience for international volunteers, providing housing, meaningful placements and opportunities to become familiar with Israel’s diverse land, people and culture.