ESC: EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS - DAY SUPPORT CENTRE FOR CHILDREN

Saint Nicolas Association works in the north of Poland, in Gdynia, Chylonia district. Chylonia is one of the oldest settlements in Gdynia. There are many families, among them large families that were relocated to social buildings in Chylonia district. These families live in very difficult conditions. They face with a number of problems that are destroying their lives (alcoholism, violence, unemployment, poverty, crime). These people have no hope for change. They are detached from the cultural opportunities and deprived of social and spiritual support. Our goal is to work in accordance with the principles of Catholic social teaching to restore their sense of hope, dignity, desire for good, love and development. While helping others we want to tackle a sense of “entitlement to do everything for free”, that characterizes many people in this district. We involve people we support in the various forms of reciprocal help, as well as in social projects. We work on the basis of the following principle "good displaces evil" - the more good we will create, the less space for evil, "pay it forward" – what you receive should be used and given to other people and "real life" - the good has to happen in real life, not in the declarations, imagination, or intentions. Saint Nicolas Association is an organisation, active since 2009. Our target groups are children and their families, youngsters and elders. Our regular activities include running day care center for children 7-18 years old, parents' club and a senior club. Moreover, several times during the year there are events and actions animating the local community, festivals and family events. The biggest activity of the organization is a day care centre, where children in different age-groups come after school. A typical working day includes preparation time for activities, planned socio-therapeutic activites, diferent workshops, chatching up with learning, free time activities, common meal. Volunteers are involved in assistance to the educators, animating free time, helping in meals preparation and as far as possible helping children in doing homeworks.