After making Aliyah from Russia in 2023, Valeria, 25, began a new life in Israel. Not only was she starting over in a new country with no support from family, but she also chose to serve in the Engineering Corps of the IDF as an instructor and was a lone soldier, facing the hardships of going through military service without family nearby.
It was only toward the end of her time in the IDF that she was introduced to The Jewish Agency’s Wings program at a seminar for discharged soldiers. Wings offers vital support to lone soldiers before, during, and after their military service.
That seminar was a turning point for Valeria; thanks to Wings, she was paired with a financial advisor and a dedicated counselor who helped guide her through her next steps. They assisted her in navigating her rights and pursuing her academic studies and provided a great sense of stability and support as she transitioned from the military to civilian life.
Recently, Wings was there for Valeria yet again when her apartment building in Tel Aviv sustained blast damage from a missile, and she had to evacuate. After being relocated to a hotel, where she’s been staying for over two weeks now, she reached out to the Wings program for support and received both mental health and financial assistance.
For Valeria, the program’s readiness to stand by her and ensure she was not alone after losing her home meant everything.
“It’s amazing that Wings continues to support me years after my discharge,” she shared. “There are situations I don’t always know how to handle, and it’s comforting to know there are organizations I can turn to—that they’re really there for me.”
After being forced out of her home, Valeria felt uncertain and wasn’t sure where to turn.
“I felt like I had lost my place. For a moment, I felt like there was no one who could help me until I remembered Wings,” she recounted. “It’s the same support I had as a lone soldier. Suddenly, you understand you’re not alone, that there are people around you who truly care. And so I’m very thankful for The Jewish Agency’s Wings program.”
