Fundatia de Voluntari Somaschi

Fundatia de Voluntari Somaschi is a non-governmental organization that has been working since 1997 to directly support young people between the ages of 12 and 25 who have social problems, precarious life situations, orphans, street children and other young people who need help / support. Currently the Foundation has 60 members (10 employees, the others volunteers). Organization of the foundation in Baia Mare: Miani Community - 16 young people are placed in a foster home, trying to imitate a family environment; • L.E.O. - educational-occupational laboratory - this laboratory simulates a job enviroment for assisted young people (day program, ~ 12 young people) • L.E.S. - educational and school lab - in this lab, young people attending school (including those from Miani Community) are assisted in doing their homeworks and are involved in various educational activities (day program, ~ 30 young people). Night shelter - children of the street are accommodated in the shelter during the night and in emergency situations. In the shelter is, also, a literacy program. Semi-Autonomy - Young people in the Foundation's program who have reached 18 years old and have a job, learn to self-handle, helped by Foundation staff. • Social Assistance - the cases sent by public institutions or identified by the social assistants from the Foundation are analyzed; social inquiries are sent to Italian collaborators who decide to send financial aid to families included in the program. Magazine- Help provided to beneficiaries consists in clothing, food, furniture, household appliances, donated from Italy. Medical Cabinet and Pharmaceutical Point - in collaboration with Catholic doctors from Italy and the Association of Catholic Doctors from Baia Mare. Mobile unit - to allow homeless children and young people to participate in activities in different day care centers, take a shower and receive clothing, a hot meal, participate in literacy and be directed to specialized assistance services. With the support of the public authorities (the Police, the Public Social Service), the foundation try to clarify the situation of these young people: get in touch with the family, make identity documents for those who do not own it, integrate them into various social assistance centers. • Volunteers training - volunteer training program in the social field, includes workshops, animation, excursions and recreational activities. (~ 40 volunteers). All the activities of Fundatia de Voluntari Somaschi aim to socio-professional integration of disadvantaged young people, non-formal education and combating marginalization and discrimination on various criteria. Youngsters are supported to attend school, those who have dropped out of school are enrolled in non-attending classes, are supported in search of a job, practice their favorite sport and in turn engage in various volunteer activities (animation,environmental actions, camps of volunteering).