Our History
In 2004, the African Refugee Development Center (ARDC) was founded by a political refugee from Ethiopia who had resolved to help the thousands of other African asylum seekers fleeing to Israel. ARDC thus began its work as a humanitarian aid organization and originally provided new arrivals with shelter, food and medical attention. In 2009, ARDC began offering language classes, psychosocial support and paralegal assistance, as the community needs shifted to looking for longer-term solutions.
ARDC has evolved over time to fit the ever-changing needs of the community, from its start as a shelter when asylum-seekers began arriving, to legal aid and rights empowerment, to language courses, and now to Higher Education and Economic Inclusion programs.
Since 2014, ARDC has focused its work on empowering the community and not only providing services. ARDC began offering community leadership courses, increased its advocacy efforts, expanded its paralegal outreach to many cities outside Tel Aviv, and shifted its education program from language classes to higher education and economic inclusion.
In the last years, our focus shifted from legal aid to social and economic inclusion. We hope to achieve this goal through our various higher education programs, which include language courses, vocational training, tutoring services, scholarship assistance and more.
Mission Statement
The organization was founded to assist refugees and asylum seekers through humanitarian assistance,
advocacy, rights promotion, and legal support.
Our Vision
To promote educational opportunities for refugees that contribute to dignified lives, agency, autonomy,increased income, resilience, and economic growth.
Our Values
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Community-based: refugee community members hold key roles in decision-making, including on our board of directors
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Demand-based: programming is developed with a bottom-up approach and is based on an assessment of community needs and demand
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Market: job training and educational programming are based on labor shortages and needs, as well as thorough market assessments and partnerships with private sector actors, while harnessing Israel’s unique positioning in the technological sector
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Assets-based : New initiatives and actions originate bottom-up and are based on community needs
Mission Statement
The organization was founded to assist refugees and asylum seekers through humanitarian assistance,
advocacy, rights promotion, and legal support.
Our Vision
To promote educational opportunities for refugees that contribute to dignified lives, agency, autonomy,increased income, resilience, and economic growth.
Our Values
-
Community-based: refugee community members hold key roles in decision-making, including on our board of directors
-
Demand-based: programming is developed with a bottom-up approach and is based on an assessment of community needs and demand
-
Market-based: job training and educational programming are based on labor shortages and needs, as well as thorough market assessments and partnerships with private sector actors, while harnessing Israel’s unique positioning in the technological sector
-
Asset-based: we focus on the strengths, successes, talents, and achievements of our constituents rather than solely on their needs; we promote positive narratives which allow refugees to be recognized for their skills rather than their vulnerabilities
Theory of change
If refugees gain access to educational programs and job training, honing marketable and transferable skills, they will increase their income, live more dignified lives, and pave way for others. This will contribute to economic growth in the refugee community and will in turn contribute to the Israeli economy and society, creating a more inclusive and prosperous Israel. Ultimately, skills, education and
work experience garnered in Israel will eventually be used by refugees elsewhere, offering resilience and mobility wherever they may end up, as well as opportunities to contribute to their economies and societies in their home countries. Moreover, by harnessing Israel’s tech sector, and by developing technological skills, we believe that refugees will integrate in the digital economy, allowing them to access remote work opportunities wherever they reside, regardless of their status of residence.