The Duvdevan Foundation is a pillar of the unit’s past, current and future servicemembers. The foundation has made it its mission to operate for the well-being of the Duvdevan Unit’s soldiers and veterans while incorporating into its activity the memorialization of those who fell during their service and cultivating the unit’s heritage and traditions.
Since its establishment, the foundation has accompanied thousands of the unit’s veterans during their very first steps into civilian life. It also operates for the wellbeing of the unit’s active-duty soldiers and provides assistance and support to bereaved families.
The foundation’s activity revolves around the worlds of education, leadership, heritage and higher education while contributing to Israeli society through members of the foundation and the unit’s veterans.
The Duvdevan Unit’s veterans prove throughout their challenging military service that they hold exceptional qualities and personal skills including leadership skills. The foundation operates to ensure they continue applying these skills in civilian and social initiatives, contributing to their society just as they did as security personnel standing at the forefront of Israel’s defense efforts.
The foundation was established as a non-profit and is run by volunteers. It is audited by a board of directors and a committee of lawyers and accountants who volunteer their services.
Some of the foundation’s activities include:
Education:
The foundation’s professional team accompanies the unit’s veterans as they begin their civilian lives. We award veterans with approximately 140 scholarships annually which encourage them to pursue academic studies, assist them in integrating into the job market and promote the values of leadership, education and social and community involvement.
empowerment:
We offer mentorship programs in a variety of fields for a range of different stages in life the veterans might find themselves in:
The Dudevan-Rabie Life Mentoring Program: a mentoring program for combat soldiers focusing on self development and empowerment for released combat soldiers at turning points in their lives and pushing them toward self-set goals while providing them with the right tools and a personal mentor for a year.
The “Amarena” program focuses on the same objectives but provides monitoring for the unit’s released female soldiers.
The Shtaim Itcha (“Two With You”) Program: The program assists the unit’s veterans with preparing for their future career. It offers mentoring to veterans in the 3 following career paths: career transition, completion of a professional degree and internship.
Lebovic – Duvdevan life support for PTSD program:
The foundation cooperates with a variety of different programs, all of which promote and assist veterans in their journey to mental fortitude and recovery through organized and organic team activities including surfing, yoga and hiking, among other methods.
We also cooperate with the IDF Battle Response (trauma response) Unit and additional bodies to assist with veterans’ mental health. Our mental health department is managed by a clinical psychologist who is dedicated to provide the best professional guidance and response required to the unit’s veterans.
Contact the program: HOSEN@217.co.il
(All inquiries are anonymous)
Community Support:
The Dudevan Unit’s veterans are characterized by their spirit of volunteerism, quick adaptability, leadership, ambition, entrepreneurship and ability to handle challenges and operate under stress—all thanks to their challenging and complex combat service that IDF’s commando units are known for. The foundation promotes the unit’s quality workforce by incorporating its soldiers and veterans in activities which encourage responsibility and involvement in the community for the benefit of Israeli society. Members of the foundation receive scholarships and support and dedicate their time to volunteer in the foundation and in additional organizations with the goal of advancing their communities and society in a range of different aspects.
Commemorative memory:
Our foundation sees great significance in preserving the memory and heritage of the unit’s fallen soldiers. Our team is always in contact with the bereaved families, offering assistance and support and taking on initiatives to memorialize their fallen loved ones.
The association's departments
Social Action Department
The department leads our community volunteering by promoting 5 main projects: [+]
Memorialization Department
The department is responsible for the memorialization of the fallen soldiers of the Duvdevan Unit as well as the preservation and strengthening of our bond with the bereaved families.[+]
Veterans Department
The department provides tools and information to the unit’s veterans, allowing them to evolve and gain confidence in all different areas and aspects of their lives. [+]
Marketing Department
The department nurtures and strengthens the relationships between members of the foundation and bereaved families, building a significant and resilient community that serves as a supportive backbone for all members of the foundation. [+]
Unit Department
The department supports each of the unit’s soldiers and reservists from the moment they enlist until the end of their service. Prior to discharge, these soldiers receive a unique and specialized workshop. [+]
Fundraising Department
The department works to utilize the foundation’s resources and advance it from a business perspective. It’s thanks to the department’s work that our professional team can continue promoting the foundation’s activities and have a meaningful impact on the unit’s veterans and on Israeli society as a whole. [+]
