Disability Rights Romania Project #59232

Secure a Child's Future.Secure our Learning Center

by The Delia Foundation

Secure a Child's Future.Secure our Learning Center

Project Report | Aug 18, 2026
Please Join Us in Our Future Focus!

By Lauren Fishbach | US Board President, Co-Founder

Buna Friends!

Evolution! We wanted to write and share with you news about the next evolution of Delia's Center!

Our initial goals in establishing the Delia Foundation and NGO Amicii Deliei were to

Educate special needs children who had been denied an opportunity to learn
Provide children with much need therapies including speech, counseling and autism therapy if needed
Give vulnerable children a safe place to socialize and make friends

AND NOW, nearly all of our school age children are enrolled in school! The schools mostly still do not offer much support but things are slowly changing. As our children are getting older, we are very aware of how vulnerable they are and the precariousness of their futures.

On the positive side, we have the seen the results of early intervention. When we opened Delia's Center, we took in the children that were "refused" services by other organizations and schools. They were deemed to have disabilities deemed "too severe" to help. Thankfully, over time this viewpoint is changing and more children wih special needs can access services.

What has not changed is that there is no supportive environment for teens and pre-teens in Barlad who have disabilities, are in foster care, or come from unstable family situations. These are children who are at risk of leaving school. They are at risk of growing up being unable to care for themselves and secure employment. They are at risk of winding up on the streets and in unsafe situations. Beginning next year, we are pivoting in response to the changing needs of the community, children and families we support.

We are evolving into a new focus as an inclusive support center serving vulnerable pre-teens and teens. Additionally, once a week, we will offer special programming to primary school-age girls. We aim to prevent school drop out and help kids create their pathway to a more secure future through homework help, digital learning, counseling, vocational mentoring, life-skills guidance and family support. We want to ensure children can stay in school, stay safe, and feel connected to their communities.

My own professional background has led me to begin developing a vocational mentoring program. I am a career advisor to young adults with a focus on providing guidance to college students, assisting them in navigating a path in the transition from college to the workforce. My work with special needs and vulnerable children in Vaslui County has been hughly rewarding. I am excited to be able to offer them this new opportunity for growth.

Once again, we will be forging a new path for children who deserve to reach their highest potential. Will join us in opening this new chapter of Delia's Center? Please say YES! (Making a donation toward our new program is easy --please use the link in this email)

Have questions? Email me at lauren@deliafoundation.org

Thank you for your support and kindness!

Best,

Lauren

Links:

Delia Foundation website

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Apr 20, 2026
Spring at Delia's Center!

By Lauren Fishbach | US Board President, Co-founder

Dec 18, 2025
2025! Oh What a Year We've Had!!

By Lauren Fishbach | U.S. Board President, Co-Founder Delia's Center

Dear Friends,

Oh what a year we had in 2025 !

We've seen wonderful progress in our special kids...

We've been saddened to continually know that kids even with less severe disabilities, let's call them learning differences, are rejected from being given learning opportunities.

We've been enveloped in the joy and love that our children bring to Delia's Center, reflecting how much they feel valued by our team and each other.

And.. as we look to 2026, we are hopeful. Always hopeful that just around the corner is a chance for our kids to be welcomed and given a chance to show their communities how much they have to offer.

This year, more than ever, has unscored the importance of your support and generosity. As the school year began, local authorities opened a new "special" school in Barlad. We were hopeful again! The school is situated on the top two floors of an old building. There is no elevator in this building. The bathroom is downstairs. Parents and foster parents panicked. How would a child with trouble walking get upstairs? What about the bathroom? Local authorities decided the school day would be from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Parents would need to pick up their children at 11 a.m. for lunch and then return them to school. It was decreed that all children must attend or a family would be fined. We have children whose parents work. There are children who live in outlying villages with travel needed on mini buses to get into town. It just wasn't possible for them to drop a child at 8 a.m. pick up at 11. drop off again and the pick up again at 3 pm. Some parents spoke up. Others were afraid.

You may not be aware of it, but in this region children generally begin school in either the morning or the afternoon. So how is it that a child with severe non-verbal autism, cerebral palsy, or intellectual disbility is expected to have such a long day?

This has been so disheartening. But it also has underscored for us the importantance of Delia's Center. We have parents who just said "no" to sending their children five days a week into an environment that they feel is not appropriate. We have others who out of fear have accepted the situation. Throughout it all we remain a safe place for a parent to seek guidance. A place for children to be educated according to their needs.

We know what is most important for the children, especially those without families who are in foster care, is consistant compassionate care and stable access to education according to their needs. This work happens every single month—and it continues only when monthly support is in place. The children don't need a miracle. They just need adults who stay.

If you are not already a montly supporter, we hope you will consider becoming one in 2026.

Together, we ensure that Delia's Center for Special Needs Kids remains the place for children who are turned away elsewhere - this month, next month, and all year long.

We wish you a wonderful holiday season and look forward to being in touch again very soon. Please follow along with us on social media. Our own website will soon be hosting short term projects to assist specific children in need.

Happy New Year!

Best,

Lauren

Links:

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