YOUNG VOLUNTEERS PERFORMING MITZVAH TASKS TO ASSIST LONE ELDERLY

Importance of the Project

Hiburim 20-80 addresses loneliness and lack of practical support among Israel’s 1.2 million senior citizens, 42% of whom experience loneliness and one-third of whom have limited mobility. Through technology and a nationwide volunteer network, Hiburim connects seniors with young people in their communities for practical assistance and meaningful intergenerational connection.

The Need

Many senior citizens lack reliable support for everyday needs, while government-funded responses to loneliness reach less than 15% of Israel’s senior population. Loneliness can have significant physical and mental health consequences, while limited mobility can make routine tasks increasingly difficult.

Seniors turn to Hiburim for assistance with needs including accompaniment to medical appointments, collecting prescriptions, grocery shopping, home repairs, and completing documents. Beyond practical assistance, these interactions provide social connection and help reduce feelings of loneliness and helplessness.

Our Solution & Strategies

Hiburim uses location-based technology to match senior citizens requesting assistance with available volunteers nearby. Seniors contact the Hiburim hotline, and volunteers provide practical support and meaningful social interaction. The model also allows young people to volunteer according to their availability.

Hiburim’s strategy focuses on three areas:

• Developing Hiburim’s Technology: Expanding and improving the technology to efficiently identify and report seniors’ needs and coordinate with government, healthcare providers, and local authorities. $30,000 will support technology development and scaling.
• Expanding the Day-2-Day Assistance Center: Providing a simple and accessible service through which seniors can request assistance, with volunteers dispatched to their homes within hours. $10,000 will enable Hiburim to respond to an additional 3,000 calls annually.
• Strengthening the Volunteer Support System: Improving volunteer recruitment, matching, preparation, and retention to ensure seniors receive appropriate assistance. $15,000 will support recruitment of an additional 5,000 volunteers, including through partnerships with businesses and technology companies.

Meet 20-80 overview of need and solution <link>

What sets our Work Apart

Hiburim combines accessible technology, location-based volunteer matching, and intergenerational connection to address seniors’ practical needs and loneliness, while coordinating with government, healthcare, and local authorities.

Our Project Goals

Respond to 3,500 requests, with an 80% success rate.

Maintain an average response time of 12 hours.

Achieve a senior satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5, measured through post-request interviews.

Recruit 50% of new volunteers from the corporate sector.

Ensure 15% of volunteers assist at least one senior citizen each month.

Projected Budget

Project Impact

Prolonged conflict and social disruption in Israel have increased isolation and loneliness among senior citizens. Hiburim 20-80 addresses this by connecting older adults with younger volunteers for companionship and practical support. To date, 5,500 seniors and 11,000 volunteers have participated, with 6,000 requests for support fulfilled and measurable reductions in loneliness and helplessness among seniors.

“I called 20-80 because I have no one else in my life that I can turn to. I heard about 20-80 from our local welfare office. Within two hours of my first call, 20-80 sent Dolev, a volunteer, to go grocery shopping for me. I was so thankful, especially because he called me every week after offering his help. We are still in touch today, and he is like a new friend of mine. What a beautiful mitzvah – made me feel special and important.” -Dalia, 89, on her experience with 20-80

Organizational Mission

20-80’s mission is to utilize technological tools to facilitate meaningful connections between senior citizens and young citizens of Israel, alleviating loneliness and enhancing social activism and responsibility.

Programs 20-80 Flyer

Link to activity VIDEO 20-80

Link to the APP page and how it all works

Tags

At-Risk Elderly | CHESSED | Elderly | Expansion | ISRAEL | Mental Health | Project Targeted | Seed Funding | Technology | Volunteering | Young Adults