CENTER FOR SOCIAL ADAPTATION
The premises for the Centre were purchased in 2016 through private donations, and the project itself was funded by a UNDP grant in 2018.
The program «Independent Life» at the Social Adaptation Centre provides social rehabilitation services aimed at expanding social interaction and organizing conditions for young people to adapt to independent life in society. The main objectives of this program are to develop social skills, improve financial stability, improve health and organize independent lives.
Young people applying for this program are assigned to a specialist who guides them in their independent life. In the course of joint work, a profession is selected, which young people would like to pursue, and plans are made for further college education and/or employment, and the basics of personal budget management are studied. During this program the staff meet regularly with project participants, learn about their life events, review or set new goals for the future. This kind of support provides a foundation for personal success for young people.
Our Results: Independent Living Program
- Since 2008 we have helped 140 young people.
- In 2018 we worked with 30 at-risk teenagers.
- In 2019 we had 30 at-risk teenagers on ongoing follow-up.
- 40 people applied for emergency assistance from September 2019 to April 2020.
THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CENTER «STEP TO LIFE»
The «Step to Life» Temporary Residence Center under the Independent Life Program provides additional support to girls and young mothers living in a situation of risk.
We tried to ensure for them comfortable living conditions: cozy rooms with furniture and basic things, a large modern kitchen, a recreation room, a laundry room, shower rooms.
A social worker is assigned to each resident girl. Together they make a shopping list and a menu for each day, so that the girls and their children can have balanced meals, The girls learn to manage their budget, shop, etc. The social workers set their own example to young mothers who were deprived of maternal care. They learn to properly take care of their babies, and play with them, and develop them.
In addition all girls attend social adaptation classes and the School of Motherhood.
There are still some unfinished facilities on the premises. We are looking to open some workshops where boys from the at-risk group can work part-time jobs. Also, in view of a large number of applications for temporary accommodation from girls and women in trouble, we want to repair several more apartments.
Our Results: Independent Living Program
- In 1.5 years of the Center’s operation, 8 orphaned girls and 9 young mothers with children from 0 to 5 years of age (11 children in total) have received assistance with temporary residence. Three of the girls we came pregnant.
THE SOCIAL PARLOR
Today in Pridnestrovie there is a problem of social and professional integration for girls leaving residential institutions and girls from disadvantaged families. Because it is impossible to get a profession and find employment, girls are forced to go abroad or engage in prostitution. This situation infringes girls’ rights to work and have a decent lifestyle.
The Charity «Childhood for Children», financially supported by the European Union and UNDP Moldova, opened a social parlor, where girls from the at-risk group learn to knit, sew, and restore clothes. Learning social skills: creativity, desire to work in a team, tolerance — are the aspects that increase the importance of this project.
The practical training provided helps girls to gain access to the labor market and gain some experience.
Social Parlor is able to train at least 20 girls annually. They can work full-time or in their spare time.
THE OBJECTIVES OF PROJECT:
- Socialization
- Professional self-determination
- Training in skills of the sewing business
- Employment
CHRISTINA PAVLIN:
I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given. I have gained both theoretical and practical knowledge. Social Parlor is a place where I build up experience working with various materials. The technologist helps me to overcome difficulties and gives useful advice on sewing skills. Here I have the opportunity to make money for my personal needs.
Our Results: Independent Living Program
- In 2018 15 girls successfully completed the sewing course and received training certificates.
- In two years over 50 girls have successfully worked part-time jobs in the parlor.
THE PROGRAM «SCHOOL OF MOTHERHOOD»
The School of Motherhood operates on the basis of the Center for Social Adaptation of Youth at Risk (Independent Life Program). Four social teachers, a lawyer and a psychologist work on the School of Motherhood program. The team provides girls with individual support in their risk situation, which includes temporary accommodation in emergency.
Our Results: Independent Living Program
- In 2019 20 girls and 10 at-risk boys attended thematic seminars done by social teachers and an active neonatologist. Accommodation in the Temporary Residence Center was given to 8 orphaned girls and 9 young mothers with children up to 5 years old(11 children in total), three girls came in pregnant.
Foster Care Program
Foster care program is specifically designed to serve children who require intensive services as a result of behavioral, medical or parenting needs. We pride in it because of our track record of excellence in matching kids with the right families and the right care.
When it is determine that a child is unsafe or in need of a family we establish a team of our social workers, family workers and connect them with a trained foster family who provides therapeutic support from the start.
Our teams make regular visits to the foster home. We monitor the child’s progress through ongoing case management, manage referrals to any outside services and provide ongoing training and support to the foster family. Together, we ensure the child’s safety and offer the support, patience and guidance kids need.
There is always a need for more foster parents in Transnistria. Heart4orphans offers training, guidance and support for prospective foster parents as they go through the application process. Due to the varying needs of Heart4orphans’s children and youth, we provide specialized, ongoing training for our foster parents. By equipping foster families to best care for the children and teens we serve, we ensure that foster kids get the care that they need.
Our Results: Foster Care Program
- Since 2006 we have placed 100 children in foster families.
- Since early 2020 we have guided 18 foster families with 40 foster children being brought up.
THE PROGRAM FOR ASSISTING AT-RISK FAMILIES
Families are assisted in buying groceries, clothing, diapers, household appliances, firewood as well as in the organizating repair works, medical examination and purchase of medicines, and much more.
Our results:
- In 2017 the program covered 12 families.
- In 2018 5 more families were added making it a total of 17 families.
- In 2019 25 more families and a total of 32 families.
- 40 children from 17 families remained in families with their parents. 7 of them managed to return to their families from social institutions. 1 family became self-sustaining.
BUT!
14 families (44 children in total), are in extreme poverty.
Currently, 32 families with 118 members (84 of them are minor children) are being taken out of their crises in 11 locations in rural Transnistria.