House of opportunity in Gabrovo

FSCI is delighted to announce that on April 23rd the Municipality Council of Gabrovo generously voted to let a building to Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion. The building will be used for a social service ‘Observed House’ for young people leaving state care as part of the HOUSE OF OPPORTUNITY Programme.

The Programme is designed with the help of the Trussell Trust, UK and with accordance to the Bulgarian deisntitutionalization priorities and policies for inclusion of vulnarable groups. The HOUSE OF OPPORTUNITY accommodates 6 to 8 young people in a small family-type house. FSCI’s team of professionals helps the young people over a period of 2 years to develop basic social skills, assists them with employment, and supports them in the folowing social realization. A pilot project has been operating in Skravena, Botevgrad Municipality since 2007. FSCI is actively working on establishing centers in Sofia, Varna and Ruse.

There are seven orphanages in the region of the new HOUSE OF OPPORTUNITY and the young people who leave them at the age of 18 will be given the chance for a successful life start with the Programme.

The Trussell Trust has guaranteed to cover the running costs for the first 2 years of the programme with the prospect of continuing in the future if no alternative finance is acquired.