Step for Bulgaria will find employment for 10 graduating high school seniors about to face the struggles of life without foster care in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Turning 18 is a major obstacle in the lives of youths without parents in Bulgaria. In the wake of their high school graduation, the new "adults" have to move out of foster care and become responsible for securing their food, lodging and other expenses literally overnight. This project will help 10 graduating high school seniors about to exit foster care to secure the jobs they need to navigate around this obstacle and continue on the path of their personal development.
In the 3 months before their graduation, we will teach teach 10+ high schoolers in foster care how to prepare job applications (CV + motivational letter) and ace interviews (presentation and negotiation skills) through a series of workshops. Throughout, we will also provide career counseling and will connect the youths with employers, individually and as part of targeted career forums. We will continue supporting the youths through individual mentoring during the first months of their new jobs
The project will provide children living in institutional care with the skills necessary to integrate successfully into society, giving them opportunities for personal and career development so that they are able to prosper on equal footing with the rest of Bulgaria's youths.
