Description
In Poland, there is lack of support for people leaving shelters and starting independent life in public housing. The project objective is to empower vulnerable groups by social inclusion of the homeless. Project will benefit the residents of Warsaw Archdiocese Caritas shelters, including former residents who are now independent, who will be involved in decision-making process and cooperation under the project. This will be achieved by: analysis of current situation of those who became independent to help prevent relapse into homelessness; defining the profiles of today’s residents of shelters to develop a catalogue of integration workshops and to conduct such workshops; creating self-help groups in the shelter with the assistance of pre-trained homeless volunteers, who will conduct regular meetings to share experience between former and present homeless.
Summary of project results
"Over ten years, 87 residents of shelters operated by the Warsaw Archdiocese Caritas moved to social housing (Ministry of Labour and Social policy, 2013) and are considered self-sufficient. Yet information concerning their circumstances is missing, resulting in a shortage of appropriate support - for them and other people preparing for unassisted living. The project purpose was to research the circumstances of newly independent persons, diagnose their needs in terms of preserving proper living standards and provide them with support, and to identify the needs of shelter residents (primarily from the viewpoint of future self-sufficient life) and prepare them for unassisted living. Circumstances of 85 independent persons were analysed; 70 were provided with assistance. An aid offer was drafted for shelter residents; a total of 420 took advantage thereof. Information on the condition and preferences of project participants was obtained thanks to a sociological report. Three hundred and fifty individuals were researched (87% and 13% of current and former shelter residents, respectively). Actions planned i.a. on the basis of research findings comprised the following; therapy workshops (45 persons), support groups (22 persons), specialist assistance in managing home budgets and resolving financial problems (35 persons), physical therapy (24 persons), legal aid (40 persons), photography workshop (65 persons), theatre classes (10 persons), motivation meetings, and integration excursions. “Café Żytnia"", a club-cum-café, was set up at the shelter, patrons offered board games, films, cultural events, social events, and workshops. Street football training classes were delivered for approximately 20 participants. Project beneficiaries included current and former residents of Warsaw Archdiocese Caritas shelters (420 in total). The Ready-Set-Go! Foundation was the project partner responsible for organising sports classes."
Summary of bilateral results