Christmas Star of Independence is an important Santa's campaign for foster care institutions that does not focus on gifts for children, but on support for young adults who are becoming independent. We want to help where it is needed most, but also where we know that no one else (or almost no one) is providing it. That is why we decided to organize a Christmas campaign for the independent individuals. We work towards meeting the basic living needs of our young beneficiaries.
Christmas Star of Independence rises for young adults who have experienced life in foster care system. Some of the beneficiaries are already struggling with independent living, while others are preparing to leave the orphanage. They all are a group neglected by the system, who do not receive sufficient help from anywhere. And the lack of this help can very easily result in total exclusion - young adults are at risk of homelessness, unemployment, mental and emotional deficits.
Young adults have not enough financial resources for even basic needs. We provide them financing of home furnishings (pots, kettles, washing machines), means of transport (bike, scooter) - because they can only afford an apartment that is very far from school or a potential place of work - and finally vocational courses and psychotherapy to eliminate deficits. Together we respond to the living needs that allow them to live with dignity and break the pattern of social exclusion.
Foster care recipients often repeat the cycle of social exclusion - subsequent generations end up in orphanages. By investing in effective independence and mature, responsible behavior of young adults, we are repairing systemic deficits.
