In 2001, through the assistance of SERA Romania, we began an ambitious new project: to find alternative solutions for children who had been living in institutions and placement centers for youth and children with severe mental disabilities in Galati. This was a pilot project which sought to change the mentality of discrimination which affects individuals living with disabilities throughout the Galati community and to serve as a model program for the integration of deinstitutionalized children with disabilities in Romania.
2001 – 2004: Over three years the project became a success. We removed 42 children with severe disabilities from state institutions and integrated them into foster care families or their natural families. Foster care families received continual care, material support and counseling. The progress made by each of the children was impressive and inspirational.
2001 – 2006: We opened two protected apartments for 10 youth over the age of 18 who are living with severe mental disabilities and were previously placed in state-run institutions. We established optimal conditions for their safety and care, an individualized program and helped children to develop skills to enable them to function more independently. The apartments represented a unique model and were likely the first apartments of this type in the entire country.
2003 – 2006: We began a collaboration with the School Inspectorate in Galati to begin the “Andiana Special Kindergarten and Educational Day Center” in the Village of Cudalbi for 15 children with disabilities.
2004: Heart of a Child established a group psychology session for 10 children with severe disabilities at the “Iovan Iorgovan” Community Center in Galati through our “Together At Home” project in collaboration with the Bethany Social Services Foundation.
2005 – 2006: In collaboration with local authorities and financing from a European Union PHARE grant, we began the “All Equal, All Different” project. The objectives were to create an accessible Day Center for individuals with special needs and to provide job training, occupational therapy and promote professional integration. The program included art therapy, socialization activities and job training courses in order to support the development of a small business program for individuals with disabilities in Galati. Over 150 individuals have benefited from this project.
2007 - 2008: Through a European Commission we implemented a major collaboration between international social partners in Bulgaria, Italy and Belgium entitled “Working Together for People in Need.”
The primary objective of this multilateral project was to help Romanian and Bulgarian Civil Society Organizations to strengthen their efforts in ensuring equal treatment and promoting human dignity in the treatment of individuals with disabilities. In addition to designing relevant training sessions for local and regional leaders, the grant provided for an establishment of a Resource Center and an Informational Center to share best practices and promote networking between local and regional social institutions.
Heart of a Child was a lead partner in this project and the national focal point for Romania. In the end, the direct project beneficiaries will include civil society organizations from Romania, Bulgaria and new European Union member-states serving individuals with disabilities, people infected with HIV and children in need. The project ended in December 2007.
2007 - 2008: Neighborhood Program with Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the "Together for Equal Chances" Project. The goal of the project was to promote cross-border cooperation and social and professional integration for youth with special needs (including those that are HIV+ and/or have disabilities) in the project partners' local communities.
This project created an Occupational Center for Art Therapy and Occupational Therapy for over 35 youths with special needs. The programs foucsed on providing preparating and training for social and professional integration. For a group of these youth, the program as provided a chance for them to go together into a art summer camp in Harghita County and to experience a series of social activities.
Over the course of the project the project organizers engaged in exchange of experience regarding interacting with local authorities and NGOs in both countries, particularly organizations that offer services to individuals with disabilities.
