Shavim

Shavim (Hebrew: שווים) is an Israeli nonprofit association dedicated to the vocational rehabilitation of people coping with mental illness. Established in 1985, the organization works to integrate its participants into the labor market and to support their economic independence. According to its Hebrew Wikipedia entry, the association helps employ approximately 900 people between the ages of 21 and 75. The organization operates through a network of local branches across Israel. Its activities span cities such as Petah Tikva, Haifa, Netanya, Be'er Sheva, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Shmona, Tiberias, Kiryat Gat, Holon, and Kfar Saba. These locations allow Shavim to provide community-based rehabilitation services and employment frameworks tailored to the needs of its participants. Shavim is part of Israel's broader mental-health rehabilitation sector, which includes organizations such as Enosh, the Israeli Mental Health Association. Its work focuses on reducing stigma, creating job opportunities, and helping individuals with mental health conditions re-enter the workforce and society. As a nonprofit association, Shavim is registered and operates in Israel. Its official website is shavim.net, and it maintains a presence on social media, including Facebook. The organization is also listed on GuideStar Israel, a platform for nonprofit transparency.

Shavim was founded in 1985 as an Israeli nonprofit association focused on the vocational rehabilitation of people coping with mental illness. From its early years, the organization aimed to create employment opportunities and support frameworks that would help individuals with mental health conditions integrate into the workforce and achieve greater independence. Over the decades, Shavim expanded its reach across Israel. By 2023, the association had established operations in multiple cities, including Petah Tikva, Haifa, Netanya, Be'er Sheva, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Shmona, Tiberias, Kiryat Gat, Holon, and Kfar Saba. This geographic spread reflects its community-based approach, bringing rehabilitation and employment services closer to where participants live. According to its Hebrew Wikipedia entry, Shavim helps employ approximately 900 people between the ages of 21 and 75. The organization operates within Israel's mental-health rehabilitation landscape alongside groups such as Enosh, the Israeli Mental Health Association. Its work contributes to reducing stigma and promoting the inclusion of people with mental illness in the labor market. As a nonprofit, Shavim is registered in Israel and maintains transparency through platforms such as GuideStar Israel. It continues to provide vocational rehabilitation services and to advocate for the employment rights and social integration of its participants.

• 2023

  Shavim operates in Petah Tikva, Haifa, Netanya, Be'er Sheva, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Shmona, Tiberias, Kiryat Gat, Holon, and Kfar Saba.

• 1985

  Shavim is founded as an Israeli nonprofit association for vocational rehabilitation of people with mental illness.

Nonprofit vocational rehabilitation and employment services for people with mental illness in Israel.

1. 1Shavim on Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2שווים (עמותה) – Hebrew Wikipediahe.wikipedia.org
3. 3Official websiteshavim.net