30% of all Israelis are living below the poverty line today, in a constant state of overdraft and debt. One out of every 3 Israeli children is experiencing hunger and poverty.  

 

The damaging effects of war and terrorist attacks, and budget cuts in social welfare services are all very real issues that drive many of Israel's families into debt and poverty, and result in their inability to meet even their most basic needs.   Charitable organizations throughout Israel provide temporary relief for families in financial crisis, but for the majority of the recipients of this assistance, the cycle of poverty is never-ending. Whether by providing family food baskets, financial assistance, heaters for their homes, or backpacks for the children, organizations and institutions help these families in need with vital emergency assistance at their time of need.
 
A short time after receiving assistance from these organizations, whether it is a week, two weeks, or a month, the family is once again in need of help from charities and social services as new expenses tend to emerge unexpectedly.
 
Paamonim has offered an effective alternative to charity since 2002 by focusing on long-term, comprehensive solutions to debt and poverty. At over 55 local branches situated throughout Israel, families referred to Paamonim receive individualized all-encompassing assistance, guidance, and support
in learning how to improve their financial circumstances and maintain financial stability. 
 
Paamonim offers its services to those families who seek guidance and support because they feel they are unable to solve their financial problems on their own. The feel they have nowhere else to turn.
 
Paamonim has experienced firsthand the severe consequences created by economic crisis: an atmosphere of hostility, anger, stress, and despair for the entire family, as well as as well as serious problems among the children due to material and emotional insecurity. By providing real solutions and teaching families how to rise above poverty and debt to stand on their own, we restore a sense of stability, dignity, and self respect to Israel's families in financial distress.
 
Paamonim matches each family with a volunteer guide who assists the family over time to develop and implement a Recovery Plan that suits its individual needs. These guides are trained by Paamonim and receive close ongoing supervision.
 
Throughout a family’s recovery process, the guide provides thorough, comprehensive supervision by documenting meetings and correspondence for each family's computerized personal file. All data (kept confidential, of course) is organized and maintained in a special computer program developed for Paamonim, utilized nationwide.
 
Through our unique “Economic Recovery Plan”, Paamonim provides Israeli families in need with close, professional support, teaching them how to properly manage household finances, and sometimes even providing them with financial assistance or loans, until they are able to return to financial stability and live with dignity.
 
Financial independence is of great importance to a family's sense of security and feeling of self-worth. Paamonim is helping change the face of Israeli society, as economic distress causes ripples in
innumerable other areas of life. Therefore, its successes strengthen Israel’s weakest link. 
This year alone, Paamonim’s 1600 volunteers guided and assisted over 2600 families throughout Israel. 55 branches are located from Kiryat Shemona in the North to Eilat in the South.