ESC in Slovenia: volontariato con bambini e/o giovani adulti

Familija is a private institution engaged in education, therapy, development of personal potential, free time activities as well as school and work counseling. It incorporates two major programs: MDC BLOK and PUM-O. 1. MDC BLOK is a daily youth center which offers diverse programs for youngsters between the ages of 10 and 18 years old. It is aimed at providing more equal opportunities for underprivileged children through facilitating activities. BLOK plays a significant role in their lives as it functions as a ‘second home’ for them. There the youngsters can truly be themselves; they are included in the planning/creation of activities and additionally have the possibility to grow through these non-formal (educational) activities. They typically develop interests in new areas, improve their social and soft skills and increase their self-esteem. BLOK is a place where they go to hang out with their friends, play board¬/card games, do their homework, receive learning support and participate in daily workshops. These workshops vary widely from creative to practical and from practical to sport (e.g. co-creating a magazine, debate club, weekly sports, multi-cultural lectures, nutrition, dance competition, etc.). Lastly, MDC BLOK occasionally collaborates with other organizations, institutions, citizens and artists from the broader local community (such as schools, PUM-O, library, municipality, a refugee or craftsmen) to increase the youngsters’ understanding of what is happening in the society. Thus, to broaden their horizons and potentially activate them beyond what is happening at the daily center. 2. PUM-O ("Project learning for younger adults") is the second program under the umbrella of Familija intended for young people from the ages of 15 to 25 years old, who are struggling to find their place in the society. PUM-O brings together individuals with specific life dilemmas/experiences that need to restart their lives and become included in the local community. Generally, PUM participants are enrolled in the program for 1 year, under certain circumstances, however, the duration might be shortened to a minimum of 3 months. The main goal of the project is to enable its participants to gain different competences and skills they might find useful in their future lives/careers, all of this is done through informal learning and project work. During the year, the participants attend diverse self-development workshops and learn about various occupations, educational programs that help them discover their own strengths, talents with the aim to uncover their personal potential and the ways of developing it in the future. The basic aims of PUM are: a) to encourage personal growth, b) to fight social exclusion, c) to enable basic education, d) to form a professional, social and cultural identity. Both MDC BLOK and PUM-O programs are founded on voluntary participation and are free of charge for their participants. Their main aim is to reduce the number of behavioral/social anomalies in certain local environments and to offer children with difficult family backgrounds the possibility of success. Our activities are based on the principle of openness, which is why the ESC project is very suitable for us and beneficial for both sides. Volunteers from other geographical and cultural territories help the centers grow, bring new ideas, broaden the participants’ horizons and let them see the world from a different perspective. Reciprocally, both institutions serve as a stimulating environment for the ESC volunteers as they help them to improve their own abilities and skills, grow in their knowledge, be part of a successful team and develop their self-initiative which is one of the most important characteristics of our institution. Our ESC volunteers are true members of our working team and they are always encouraged to come up with ideas or discuss all issues that may occur with us individually or during our weekly meetings. Both MDC BLOK and PUM-O are located in a medieval town called Škofja Loka, just 25 km west of the capital of Slovenia: Ljubljana. This picturesque town built on a river confluence, surrounded by many hills offering breathtaking views over the Slovenian nature is an amazing place indeed. Despite its size (only 13,000 inhabitants), Škofja Loka has all the infrastructure and facilities needed for a quality social life and is therefore without a doubt a place where an ESC volunteer could grow, learn and spend great time.