Social project is the best on the conference in Geneva

The project of social adaptation of single mothers, which since the end of 2017 has been realized in Voronezh by the Foundation “Kindness”, headed by Alexander Zhukov, took the first place at the international conference in Geneva. The project of the Voronezh charitable organization surpassed the programs presented there both by Russian and foreign participants.

Let us recall that the project of social adaptation of single mothers is unique for the Voronezh region. The program appeared on the initiative of the Foundation “Kindness”, which was supported by Metropolitan Sergius. As a result, the project won the Grant of the President of Russia. The program includes not only financial assistance to women with young children who have found themselves in difficult situations, but psychological counseling and classes of sewing.

The result of the first step of the project, which ended in April, was to help single mothers to become confident, and to teach them art of sewing and to hold a mini-exhibition of things made by them. By the way, mothers transferred part of the products they sewn to a social shelter for children and a nursing home. The fact that such a project is in demand are the emotions of people, – says Alexander Zhukov, the founder of the charitable organization:

– Children smiles are the main positive takes of the project. The smile of a child is already a reward. The same picture was also when they went to a boarding school for the elderly and gave them products made by women. Tears appeared in front of these elderly people are a sign of great gratitude, – says the founder of the Foundation “Kindness” Alexander Zhukov.

In May, the Foundation “Kindness” launched a new phase of the project, in which other single mothers are already involved. According to Alexander Zhukov, the number of women interested in the program has increased significantly. And the teaching approach has also changed:

Psychological counseling for single mothers is also in demand. The individual consultations and group trainings are conducted regularly; they help women to solve their inner conflicts, to become more confident and to make up with their relatives.

– Some of the former participants decided to have consultations even with their children, where they play and chat together, – says the psychologist V. Podbolotova. 

As a part of the project of social adaptation, there could be meetings with a social worker. Women can ask questions they are interested about getting AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), and clarify legal nuances.

It is worth noticing that this project was appreciated as its true value both at the regional and international levels. Some time ago there was held the conference in Geneva where Russian and foreign charitable organizations presented their social projects. As a result, the Voronezh project of social adaptation of single mothers became the best.

– The project generated considerable interest. The conference was attended by representatives of 26 countries, there were more than 150 participants and almost all countries suffer from such a problem. We exchanged contacts so that people could learn how to implement such a project in their countries, therefore the program that we are carrying out is of great importance. As a result, our project took the first place at the international conference SOCIAL INNOVATION # INFOCUS, – said Alexander Zhukov, the founder of the charitable foundation “Kindness”.

Alexander Zhukov says that the fund “Kindness” is planning to carry out the project on a permanent basis and try to help as many single women as possible. In the meantime, the charitable organization continues to work to support the active participants of the project.