Etgarim Opens Permanent Center for Individuals with Disabilities in Sderot

Three years after first meeting evacuated residents of Sderot at the Dead Sea following the events of October 7, the Etgarim association is opening a new permanent center in the city. The facility will offer extreme sports activities in nature for children and adults with disabilities from Sderot and the surrounding Gaza envelope communities.

The connection between the association and Sderot residents was forged in the opening weeks after the October 7, 2023 terror attack. While numerous families were displaced to hotels in the Dead Sea region, Etgarim mobilized to provide moments of respite, connection, and empowerment amidst the turbulent reality. Throughout the evacuation period, the organization hosted hundreds of activities for children, youth, and adults, including cycling, rope parks, kayaking, running, and field exercises.

Expanding Rehabilitation and Growth

Born from this ongoing grassroots engagement, the idea to establish a permanent home for the association in Sderot took shape following a meeting with Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi. Now, following the return of residents to the city, the initiative has materialized into a dedicated center that will serve as a permanent base for community activities.

"The establishment of the Etgarim home in Sderot is much more than the opening of a new center. This is an exciting full-circle moment, from an organization that reached out to our residents in their most difficult moments when they were displaced far from home, to an organization that chooses today to settle here and be part of the growth, rehabilitation, and life of Sderot," said Mayor Alon Davidi.

Continuing a Legacy of Empowerment

Even before securing a permanent physical structure, the association continued its operations in Sderot and the surrounding region, working within special education schools, kindergartens, frameworks for individuals with disabilities, and youth sailing initiatives. The newly inaugurated center will significantly expand these offerings.

Etgarim CEO Nir Hacohen noted that what began as an emergency response for displaced residents at the Dead Sea has successfully blossomed into a permanent fixture within the city, marking the beginning of a long-term partnership with the local population and the surrounding envelope.

Established in 1995, Etgarim is dedicated to empowering and socially integrating individuals with disabilities through outdoor extreme sports. During the ongoing war, the association also launched specialized groups for wounded soldiers and civilians, currently serving thousands of participants nationwide with the assistance of over 1,500 volunteers.