The ACT center is the third stage of our program, where we assist teenagers ages 15-21. The focus is helping older street children prepare for independent life, and resume education and / or find employment. Since December 3rd, 2002, six groups of teenagers (mostly former street children) have attended "Independent Living" classes in the ACT center. Before opening the ACT center our success rate with teenagers younger than 16 was very high, but both governmental efforts and our own efforts towards motivating teenagers over 16 years old to improve their lifestyle haven't met with much success. The ACT center has changed all that, as over 50% of attendees from the first year are already enrolled in education or employed.
Basic Description
The new center employs two social workers, one teacher and one psychologist. The social workers work individually with the teenagers and their parents, helping them to plan their careers. Marginalized teenagers are given the opportunity to attend a two-week course titled "Independent Living and Social Adaptation", developed by the Miramed institute, Moscow. They are also be given the opportunity to attend basic computer and English language classes. Course attendees sleep in government and private institutions for the duration of the course. ACT management negotiates with companies and educational institutions in Perm to accept these teenagers as apprentices or help them further their education, depending on the existing skills of each individual.
Objectives
- Help street children and orphans transcend negative stereotypes and low expectations to more fully embody their capabilities and become more skilled occupationally and socially.
- At least 20 former street children / orphans should complete the adaptation course and become employed or move to further education in the first year of the adaptation center's operation.
Progress
As of March 2004 the following progress has been made:
- The ACT center opened!
- Six groups of 10-20 teenagers have attended "Independent Living" courses
- The first six groups of attendees graduated and are currently finding employment and / or enrolling in further education
- A seventh group of attendees is studying.
- The city administration has agreed to house course attendees for the duration of each course.
- Several local companies have agreed in principle to employ course graduates as apprentices.
We'd appreciate any help you may have to offer with this new project: ideas and contributions are welcome!
Note: The "Independent Living" course was developed by the Miramed Institute, Moscow. The set-up costs for the ACT center were provided by IREX, with funds from USAID. If you'd like to know more about the IREX PartNER program, click here: www.irex.ru/programs/partner/
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Photos of ACT center inauguration
