House of opportunity Ruse starts

 House of Opportunity – residential training center for young care leavers – opened doors in Ruse this week. The project is delivered by the Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion (FSCI) with the support of Trussell Trust UK and the precious help of local volunteers and donors.

Nearly 8000 children are institutionalised in Bulgaria according to official statistics of the Аgency for Social Assistance. There are 5 institutions for children deprived of parental care in the region of Ruse. After they turn 18, young people from the institutions have to take on the challenges of independent living on their own. The House of Opportunity gives them a chance to make this transition easier. For a 2-year period the team of FSCI provides social skills training, support in finding employment, as well as ongoing support in their social integration. Two young people are placed in the center in Ruse at the moment.

„The center will fill in a vacum”, Commented Daniela Velikova, Director of Healthcare and Social Work in Ruse Municipality at a meeting with representatives of FSCI earlier this year. “The state delegates funds to municipalities for care for children, deprived of parental care, but there is no provision for when they turn 18. The situation is worse for the youngsters with no disabilities because the support for them is very limitted.” added Velikova.

The House of Opportunity is developed and financed by the FSCI with the help of the Trussell Trust UK. The programme is in line with the national priorities for deinstitutionalization and development of equal opportunities for vulnerable groups. The foundation has solid experience working on similar projects in Gabrovo and Botevgrad Municipalities. The future plans of the team include setting up houses across the whole of Bulgaria. At the moment, centers in Sofia and Varna are in development.