A new centre for new opportunities

Arriving to the centre after my flight from the UK, I was greeted by the visiting midwife. This felt fitting, as it may be the first of many points of contact a community member would have with The Ideas Partnership.

Soon I met a group of students in the corridor. Xhelal (14) enjoys singing and has been attending for two years now. Omer (13) and Amin (16) have both been attending the centre since kindergarten. Omer is enjoying learning in the new computer lab. Later I find Xhelal and Amin on the poster made by the Young Leaders Programme. “Build a Team So Strong You Don’t Know Who the Boss Is” the poster says. This captures well my impressions of the centre, whose staff are often members of the community they serve.

The new Free Shop had helped over 400 people with donated goods in the week that I visited. 450 school children also received school supplies for the new academic year, a responsibility that can serve as a barrier for families, and more than 1000 people benefited in general from the center and from activities as well.

I met a woman running a small craft business. Her affiliation with the centre began when she attended adult literacy classes. The centre also offer support in registering for social services.

Much thought has gone into what services the community desperately need, and whether these can be provided with the funds available. Recent funding cuts have resulted in services being rationed, for example the midwife wasn’t able to attend for quite some time.

The donations we give make such a direct impact on what is possible. It was a pleasure to see diligent and committed care in action with such a meaningful impact to over a thousand people in the community this year. The ripple effect of our ongoing contributions will continue their impact well into the future.