Official opening of hop Ruse

19.10.11 | An official opening of the House of Opportunity Programme took place yesterday in the center of Ruse. The project offers opportunity to young people, leaving state care institutions, to make a smooth transition to an independent life far from the risks of “the street”.

Official statistics of the Ministry of labour and social policy show that, during the first half of 2010, 80 young people left orphanages turning 18 or after completing their studies. However, according to unofficial sources, for half a year their number exceeds 130. Without preparation for this step, young people become one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. Without a home, work and support in general, they often turn out to be victims of the drugs market, prostitution, trafficking in humans, work exploitation etc.

“The municipality does not have budget to cope with the problem. The young people leave the homes, which are maintained by the state and expect from us to take care of them.”, confides Daniela Velikova, Director “Public health and social services” in Ruse Municipality, during a meeting in February, in occasion of the planning of the project “Home Opportunity”. Velikova adds also that the Municipality can assist the young people only with help in finding a home, “but this does not resolve their problems”.

The new project which is delivered and financed by the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion offers social support to the young people in a loving family-type home for two years. During this time they are expected to take active part in an educational program, led by teams of professionals. The program helps them develop core social skills, such as finding and keeping a job, building work habits, team work, personal finances management, household management, short and long term goals planning and others.

Four young people from the orphanages of Starmen and Lom have been living in the House of Opportunity in Ruse since June this year. The Foundation works with over 10 social institutions in the Northeastern part of Bulgaria, which can refer young people to the House of Opportunity, when they turn 18. There are centers of the Programme also in the Municipalities of Gabrovo and Botevgrad, whit overall capacity of 23 young people.