The Advocacy and Support Center - The heart and soul of ASSAF
Every week, dozens of asylum seekers approach us with all kinds of problems from their complicated everyday lives. It is on a daily basis that their discrimination and lack of rights put them in difficult situations with their children’s schools and daycares, the bank and municipality, exploitative lawyers and landlords, etc. We are here for them to assist with every issue and provide them with relevant solutions.
But it isn’t only the “little” things which bring asylum seekers to our doorstep. At the ASC we support asylum seekers dealing with the most difficult hardships: extreme poverty; violence and abuse sustained in Israel or on the journey here; post-trauma caused by the atrocities in Sudan and Eritrea or the torture camps in Sinai; physical disabilities and severe medical conditions; lack of help for children with special needs - and the list goes on and on. They are facing all of these and more while having no official status and no access to welfare or health services. The ASC is a safe space for them, and a source of hope for improving their situation.
Asylum seekers coming to the ASC are received by a qualified team which includes a coordinator, interpreters from the asylum seekers communities, and dozens of dedicated volunteers. During reception hours, the volunteers hear their problems and provide them with information and assistance. In the course of the week they would follow-up referrals and handle the difficult and complex cases in depth.
Our team is the first in line to witness the emotional distress and exhaustion of asylum seekers, caused by their social and economic marginalization by the state. The staff’s familiarity with the situation enables them to play a significant role in ASSAF’S advocacy work for a better policy. Referrals made by the ASC on behalf of asylum seekers to government ministries and other authorities in Israel help them on a personal level, but also create opportunities for much broader changes in policy.
So what can you do to help refugees?
ASSAF is an NGO which relies solely on donations. Operating our flagship project, the ASC, requires considerable resources, and we need you to open your heart to asylum seekers and support the Advocacy and Support Center, for them. Every donation you make will enable us to maintain and expand our aid apparatus for asylum seekers.
With your help, we will:
• Receive more than 1,000 asylum seekers in the upcoming year.
• Provide an in-depth response to the complex problems of asylum seekers.
• Distribute food, baby formula and diapers to 100 families in need every month.
• Form a safe and respectful space for emotional support for asylum seekers.
• Train volunteers and interpreters to provide professional and sensitive assistance.
• Produce and distribute information materials for asylum seekers to facilitate their access to rights and services.
• Expose the Israeli public to the condition of asylum seekers, and promote their rights.
With your support more women, men and children will survive the hardships they experience every day. More people will have a new opportunity in life when everything seems lost.
We are grateful for every donation. We promise to keep you, our donors, up to date on the achievements of the Advocacy and Support Center in the coming months.
We are offering beautiful gifts to our donors! Coming soon...
It is possible to place a donation of any sum by pressing the green button above.
Donations without gifts are tax-deductible in Israel, the US, and UK.
Show that you support refugees:
A coffee mug designed by Ilana Zeffren featuring Spageti the cat, with the slogan (in Hebrew) “And Thou Shalt Love the Strangerrr", in support of refugees.
A tote bag designed by Ilana Zeffren featuring Spageti the cat, with the slogan (in Hebrew) “And Thou Shalt Love the Strangerrr", in support of refugees.
A tote bag with a "proud to support refugees" print in Hebrew.
Classes and Workshops:
A sewing workshop at Damiana's studio "La Fabrica" in Sde Boker. Suitable for both beginners or advanced sewers. Date will be set in coordination with Damiana. (See our Hebrew campaign page)
Food and Restaurants (see our Hebrew campaign page!)
Betta Cafe: a breakfast for two people in one of the lovely branches of the caffe.
Buza ice-cream parlor: sharing is caring! This incredible place offers 2 ice cream cones per donation, so you can enjoy in the company of others!
"Ha'achim" (the brothers) restaurant in Tel Aviv: Tapas and a drink for two in this lively restaurant.
Books and magazines:
Granta Magazine for New Literature - the new and intriguing issue on Correspondences (in Hebrew). Pick up from the bookstore Sipur Pashut in Neve Tzedek.
Where Levinsky Meets Asmara: Social and Legal Aspects of Israeli Asylum Policy (in Hebrew)
The most comprehensive collection of articles on the issue of asylum seekers in Israel, edited by Tally Kritzman-Amir.
The Other Journey: Stories of Ethiopian Jews, Former Revolutionaries during the Ethiopian Civil War, 1974-1991. A book by David Ratner, in Hebrew.
Books and magazines for children:
Mulou and Tsagai - this touching book by Tamar Verete Zehavi and Ronit Rosenthal tells the story of two brave children who had to run away from their home in a journey that will save their lives. Beautiful illustrations by Silvia Cabib (in Hebrew).
Doctor Nose and Tail - a children's book (in Hebrew) by Yael Gover about the special relationship between children and dogs and the healing powers of our 4-legged friends.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls (in Hebrew). An inspiring children's book packed with bedtime stories about the lives of 100 past and present extraordinary women.
Halavluvon (a pack of 2 issues) - children's magazine with games, riddles and surprises. A quality time for the whole family. In Hebrew
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All are available for pick up from ASSAF office any time, or at the distribution points at the end of the campaign.
Music, concerts and shows for the whole family:
A single/family entrance ticket to the agricultural circus in Emek Izrael. The agricultural circus is a unique place combining agricultural and circus activities. Perfect for a family activity in the holidays and on every weekend.
Alma Zohar's successful children's album "Pele" (“wonder”) in a digital format
Other treats:
Shiatsu or acupuncture treatment by certified therapist Yael Sher! Her clinic is in the city of Rehovot.
