| Project completed with the help of funds from the European Social Fund and within the EQUAL Community Initiative |  |
Project objectivies
"Children from children's homes - new opportunities, better tomorrow" is the name of the project directed to youth brought up at care and foster institutions. The project was financed with funds from the European Social Fund and within the EQUAL Community Initiative.
The partnership "Children from children's homes - new opportunities, better tomorrow" aims to develop new model of institutional and legal solutions that facilitate the process of becoming independent adults for children from children's homes. The activities are twofold. The aim is to create system for developing social competence which will facilitate independent life in social environment for those children and will increase their chances on today's job market, and will also create cooperation area between the local and national institutions, which influence the shaping of social economy and the fate of children form children's homes.
In reaching the main objective of this project, which is the children from children's homes gaining independence efficiently and effectively, we are supported through international cooperation of partnership with Great Britain. During this cooperation, we will be able to exchange experience in working with children from children's homes in Poland and Great Britain, evaluate the new work methods and learn about the rules of institutional care in Great Britain.
The project lasted until 2008. It was implemented for the children from children's homes in the Łódź region. We hope that the successful pilot programme of the developed model for work with children from children's homes in the Łódź region will allow for its implementation in other regions, in accordance with EU social policy.
Project description or the activities we have undertaken
The majority of children from children's homes have very low level of education and few interests. They are accustomed to the children's home taking responsibility for their fate. When they have to leave the institution, they either return to their biological family or begin their independent life in the assigned social housing apartment. The social benefits are not enough to support themselves and finding good job requires lot of determination and effort. The independent youth often lack support, money and motivation to find their own path. Therefore they struggle not only with material problems and loneliness but also with sense of being lost, low self-esteem and lack of energy to independently create their life. As the programme is implemented long-term, it can develop mechanisms of cooperation between social institutions that care for children from children's homes.
All children's homes from Łódź and the majority from the Łódź region have decided to participate in the project. In April 2005, conference was organised with the participation of city authorities and Łódź MP's, informing about the project and encouraging the cooperation of all social institutions caring for children from children's homes.
In August, in the picturesque Sulwalskie region, camp was organised for children from children's homes, while from September 2005, the remaining activities, oriented towards these children, have commenced - career advice centre, mentoring centre, various courses and training paths.
Why did Rossmann become partner of this project?
An important component in the success of the planned activities were internships, professional training, where children from children's homes could use the skills acquired during various courses and training paths and have the opportunity to perform in real work environment.
We care that the project contributes to change of the stereotype of perceiving this social group by the entrepreneurs and employer participation, alongside other social institutions, in creating and effective support network for children from children's homes.
In the opinion of the company Board, corporate mission should include not only generation of profits but also being an active member of the local community where the company operates.
The help and support provided to various social campaigns is an element in the corporate social responsibility policy implemented by Rossmann SDP, as well as part of company's corporate culture.
As part of the internships and professional training offered at our company, children from children's homes could also acquire experience in modern work environment, the best have become our valued employees.
More about the project at www.equal.swspiz.pl