Preparing children and young people for independent living using a sports - based methodology

Description

Despite the positive changes, Lithuania is failing to address some of the social problems, such as services for children/youth who are in the care system or who live in families at risk. There were 21,000 children growing up in families at social risk and 6622 children - in the care system. These children/youth face fewer opportunities to successfully integrate into society, pursue education, become independent. Therefore, the project will aim to develop an accompanying service that will prepare children for independent living from the age of 14. Also, the project will develop partnerships with employers by setting up a mentoring system in companies where young people will do an internship. Finally, the project will implement a sports-based methodology, which was developed by the Jonas Valančiūnas Support Foundation and tested over a three-year period with teenagers visiting the Adolescences Day Home. The basis of this methodology is the rules applied in sports, which help to change children’s and young people’s behaviors and develop skills that are important in everyday life. Thus, the project will include two phases: changing the child''s risky behavior and developing life-critical skills and later, consistent transition to accompanying youth to independent living.

Summary of project results

The project sought to develop a service that prepares children for independent living from the age of 14 and create partnerships with employers for mentoring systems in companies. These results primarily benefited vulnerable children and youth, particularly those in care systems or from families at social risk, by providing them with the necessary skills and support for a successful transition to independent living.

The project implemented a range of activities:

1. Introducing a Sports-Based Methodology: This methodology, developed by the Jonas Valančiūnas Support Foundation, was tested over three years and applied sports rules to help change children''s behaviors and develop essential life skills.
2. Developing a High-Quality Accompanying Service: This service aimed to support children and youth starting independent living, with a methodological description prepared based on the project’s experience.
3. Creating a Mentorship-Based Internship Model: The project partnered with businesses to establish internships and traineeships for young people, involving mentorship systems.
4. Raising Specialist Competencies: The project included training for specialists and municipal administration representatives to improve their skills in providing quality accompanying services.
5. Evaluating Changes in Lives: The project assessed the impact on children and youth’s lives due to the project''s activities.
6. Publicity Activities: The project carried out activities to disseminate information about its goals and achievements.

The project achieved several significant outcomes:

1. Positive Behavioral Changes and Life Skills Development: Children and youth involved in the project experienced improvements in their behavior and acquired critical life skills necessary for independent living.
2. Improved Integration and Opportunities: The target groups, particularly children and youth from care systems and at-risk families, saw improved opportunities for social integration and independence.
3. Reduction in Social Exclusion and Unemployment: By creating job opportunities through internships and enhancing social integration, the project contributed to reducing social exclusion and unemployment among the target groups, thereby addressing poverty issues.
4. Enhanced Community and Specialist Support: The project strengthened community ties and improved the competencies of local specialists and municipal administration representatives, which is essential for sustaining the support systems developed during the project.