One of the best ways to help the mentally ill in Israel is through a financial donation to Zimra. We are not a government agency, and all services are offered free thanks to the generosity of people like you. Every dollar spent by Zimra goes to programs and services that help improve the quality of life of the mentally ill in Israel.
The value of your donation is increased by the fact that the ratio of volunteer workers to paid staff is 70 to 1. (140 volunteers, 2 administrative staff.)

Financial donations can be made in three ways:

By phone: 972-2-581-2343
By mail: P.O.B. 6221 Jerusalem, Israel
Direct Deposit: Bank Hadoar # 8-50625-4

If you wish to make a donation to a specific Zimra program, please specify so when you send or phone in your contribution. This will guarantee that your donation goes directly to the program indicated. You may choose from the following list:

· Music therapy
· Hospital and home visits
· Food packages
· Field trips
· Subsidized housing
· Medical referrals
· Counseling and emotional support
· Special activities on Jewish holidays

Other Ways You Can Help

1. Make a Time Donation - helping others makes you feel good. Find out how you can volunteer. Call 972-2-581-2343.
2. Make a Thought Donation - think of ways to raise funds for Zimar in your community. Contact us, and we'll help you get your idea off the ground.

Budget Goals and Objectives

With a yearly budget of $250,000, Zimra serves approximately 5,000 of Israel's 100,000 mental health patients. The organization's goal it to increase the number of patients it helps to 10,000 by increasing funding allotted to its major programs, as well as by securing additional equipment:

I. Music Therapy

Zimra volunteers hold musical performances once a week at hospitals and treatment centers, with a minimum of 400 people at each event. The organization's objective is to increase the number of events to 20 per month.

Frequency of Musical Performances in 1999:

Expanded Musical Performance Program in 2000

Additional Annual Cost:

Zimra currently has one band that performs throughout the country.
In order to increase its number of performances, the organization will need to set up four additional bands and purchase musical instruments and sound equipment at a cost of $30,000.

Funding required for expanded musical performance program in 2000:

II. Hospital and Home Visits

Zimra volunteers currently make 3,500 visits per month to mental health patients throughout the country. Its objective is to increase that number to 10,000 visits per month. This expansion would require an increase in the program's budget from $12,805 to $36,585.

Number of Visits in 1999

Expanded Hospital and Home Visit Program in 2000

Funding required for expanded musical performance program:

III. Supervised field trips throughout the land of Israel

Zimra currently takes 100 patients from 5 hospitals on a field trip once a year at a cost of $5,400. Its objective is to increase that number to 1,000 patients from 20 hospitals at a cost of $54,000 per year.

Number of field trips in 1999:

Expanded field trip program in 2000:

Funding required for expanded field trip program:

IV. Subsidized housing for married mentally ill couples

Zimra provides full-scale services for mental health patients who wish to marry at a cost of $25,000 per couple. This includes arranging and covering the costs of their wedding; locating and refurbishing homes for them to live in; supplying them with electrical appliances and furniture; and subsidizing their rent. Zimra assisted 20 couples in 1999, and its objective in the year 2000 is to assist 40 couples.

Funding required for expanded subsidized housing program:

$50,000 (20 additional couples at $25,000 each) V. Counseling and emotional support by professionals and trained volunteers

In an effort to better serve the families and friends of mental health patients, Zimra's objective is to set up a crisis center staffed by licensed psychologist who will offer their services free of charge. The cost of establishing the center is $10,500 with ongoing costs of $1,650 per month.

Set Up Costs

Monthly Expenses

Cost of program in the year 2000:

VI. Purchase and maintain a minibus

Zimra currently has one vehicle at its disposal to transport volunteers and mental health patients to and from activities. Its objective is to purchase a mini-bus at a cost of $60,000 and maintain it at a cost of $18,000 per year, including the driver's salary. The bus will also be used to deliver food packages.

Funding required for mini-bus acquisition:

Summary of Expanded Programs and Required Funding:

2 Costs include transportation, food, drinks and volunteer-training course.
3 Includes transportation, food, drinks and volunteer-training course.
4 Includes transportation, guides, social workers, food and entrance fees.