Smrcková Emilie
Organization: Pod Krídly
Year Founded: 2000
Country: Czech Republic
Website: www.podkridly.cz
POD KRÍDLY provides homes for children in institutional or foster care once they reach the age of majority (and thus have to leave an institution or foster care) and provides assistance with their integration into society. Focus: Education, Enterprise Development, Health, Labour Conditions and Unemployment Model: Hybrid Non-Profit Geographic Area of Impact: Czech Republic Annual Budget: US$ 593.158 (2009) Current Number of Beneficiaries: 27 (2009) Recognition: Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Czech Republic, 2009 Background The state children’s institutional care system (children’s homes, diagnostic institutes, etc.) and foster care system officially cease to care for children once they turn 18. They must then leave home and begin to take care of themselves. In contrast to children who have a family, these individuals lack not only a support network, but in most cases also knowledge of basic social customs and skills that would ease their transition to an independent life. If these young individuals are physically and mentally healthy, they have virtually no social assistance options. Many are unable to find their way and often end up on the street, becoming trapped by debt or living a life of crime. POD KRÍDLY opens and operates halfway houses offering living conditions that are as close to “real life” as possible. The association’s aim is to help these young adults become socially integrated and able to conduct themselves in both everyday life and unforeseen situations. This minimizes their chance of falling into a life of crime or becoming a burden on the state social assistance network. Innovation and Activities POD KRÍDLY employs new practices in working with groups of healthy young adults leaving institutional or foster care. The halfway houses have a three-year residency period (an apartment which the client has for rent); clients work to the extent of their capabilities and must pay rent and open a bank account. The association helps them clear their debts. The use of alcohol and narcotics is prohibited in the homes. Clients learn to manage their money; if they are unsuccessful, they are given a budget by an association staff member. Social work is individualized – association staff members prepare and execute personal development plans aimed at successful social integration. Clients receive assistance with the job search, re-qualification or studies. Like anyone else, clients visit specialists outside the home (psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist). This is an innovative approach to the social integration of these young adults (extended residency period, supervised money management, debt discharge, etc.). All the homes are self-financed – maintenance and repairs are paid for out of rental income. The association actively presents and shares its approach with other similarly focused organizations, which in turn implement it into their own programmes. After the three-year residency period, most clients go on to rent an apartment together with a partner, are employed and have savings. This reduces the potential for criminal activity in this high-risk group. Pod krídly keeps tabs on all it clients – feedback has shown that 90% have integrated into society and are living trouble-free lives. From the very beginning, the association has cooperated closely with the cities in which it operates its homes (cities have donated houses, land, financial aid). It also collaborates with children’s homes, child welfare authorities and other organizations operating halfway houses. Additionally, the association works hard to forge close ties with the private sector and foundations. The Entrepreneur Emilie Smrcková worked as a railway dispatcher, raised 4 sons and, over the course of 20 years, was a foster parent for another 20 kids from children’s homes. The Pod krídly association, which helps youths from children’s homes integrate into society once they become 18, was founded by members of her family. She closely cooperates with local government authorities and is an active participant in the national discussion on institutional and foster care programmes. POD KRÍDLY provides homes for children in institutional or foster care once they reach the age of majority (and thus have to leave an institution or foster care) and provides assistance with their integration into society.
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