Transitional Program
Once children in orphanages reach the age of 18—if they are no longer in school—they must leave the institutions for life on their own. Hearts Across Romania has always had concerns about these children, many of whom are not prepared for independent living and lack the resources or skills to make it in the real world.
Hearts realized a long-time goal of working on a transitional program for children in orphanages when they began a partnership with Florin Catanescu in May, 2007. Florin is the director of “A Step to the Future”—a transitional program which includes, among other things, housing for young men. Florin understands firsthand the challenges these young people face because he, too, grew up in an orphanage, and at age 29, he is committed to helping them find their way (refer to his website at ww.upsv.org for more information on the services provided by “A Step to the Future” including the Social Integration Center).
Florin’s residential program in Brasov, Romania operates out of an old dormitory with a high school on the grounds where he has several residents living in 2 rooms. Also included in the space are Florin’s living quarters, as well as a meeting room for counseling, education and training.
On their volunteer work team trip to Brasov in May, 2007, Hearts was able to remodel a vacant room full of junk, which had been designated for Florin’s program, but he did not have the funds to make the necessary improvements. American teen volunteers,
Sami Matthews and Britney Jo Ludkowski, were eager to renovate the room, and with the help of some of our Romanian teens and some of the Florin’s residents, it was transformed into a beautiful living space within days. The kids scraped walls, applied primer and repainted, while the rest of the Hearts’ work team shopped and purchased new carpet and curtains for the two existing rooms and the newly remodeled room. Sami and Britney Jo painted a green accent wall, and combined with new bed linens, wall pictures and a floor lamp purchased by Hearts, the finished product was a warm and inviting room for three new residents. Hearts also purchased a new window and door for the new room and paid for the installation.
The communal bathroom, used by everyone living on the floor, was sub-standard and in need of repairs. Hearts has provided funds to install a new private bathroom for the boys in Florin’s program, in addition to completing a small bathroom across the hall in Florin’s quarters. These renovations are underway and should be completed soon.
Hearts Across Romania will continue to partner with Florin to make additional space for young people in transition, as well as look for other opportunities to expand their efforts to help young people leaving the orphanages.
Please contact us to see how you can help.
