Goal

Provide a group home to love and nurture adults with special needs with 24-hour care.

Need

There are around 65 adults with special needs in the city of Uzhhorod.  The parents of these adults are concerned what will happen to their children after they are unable to care for them or have passed away.

Currently there is only one choice, which is a government-run institution that throws these adults with special needs into the same building with adults with neurological and psychological problems.  This is not a healthy situation.  The men are sent to a large institution located in the village of Turya Remeta in the Perechin region which houses up to 300 people.  The women are sent to a smaller institution located in the city of Mukachave.  The living conditions of these institutions are horrendous (although the women’s institution is a little more acceptable as it is in a city).  Both are closed facilities where patients are not allowed to leave.  These institutions provide no family care, counseling or career training.  They only offer food and a bed.  It is a virtual prison for these adults with special needs.

Plan

Currently a community center operates for around 18 adults with special needs in the city of Uzhhorod.  It is a joint partnership between the Church of the Transfiguration (Greek Catholic), charity fund Caritas, and local NGO Nadia (Hope).  One Collective also participates in their many activities for adults with special needs.  At this community center they offer socialization opportunities around crafts, music, and dance.  The center also houses the church offices.  Altogether, they share around 400 sq. m.  The church covers all of the utilities for the center and the programs are run rent-free by Caritas and Nadia.

The plan is to build a second story which will include eight small apartments with private bathrooms, each room for two adults.  It will also include a kitchen, dining room, living area, and medical office.  There will be an elevator to access the second floor.  The total plan would be 350-400 sq. m.

Services provided by this Group Home residence will include:

• Accommodation with inpatient care;
• Home care and Day care;
• Social adaptation and integration with community;
• Emergency crisis intervention;
• Counseling services;
• Legal mediation services;
• Physical support of persons with disabilities who have muscular-skeletal disorders with provision of wheelchairs and visual aids;
• Communication with sign language;
• Education on their personal rights;
• Social support in finding employment;
• Social enterprise to provide employment;
• Training in professional skills;
• Assistance in obtaining asylum.

Progress

The second floor with roof has been built over the current ministry center where Special Needs Friends gather for clubs and socialization.  Four rooms are nearly ready to be used, and the plan is to have IDP families stay there for now.  But first, we need to build the staircase to reach the second floor.

Current Project:  Build staircase

Funds Needed:  $6230

         

 

 

 

 

 

Partners

Caritas

Church of the Transfiguration (Uzhhorod – Greek Catholic)

Nadia NGO

One Collective

Roman Catholic Church in Germany

Rotary Club – Uzhhorod Chapter