Orange charity foundation
Independent living
CSS contribution, rubles
Total budget, rubles
Implementation period, months
Project idea
Independent Living is an initiative designed to create a training apartment for young adults with severe multiple developmental disabilities from psychoneurological boarding schools (PNIs). This apartment aims to prepare them for independent living within the society.
The primary goal of the project is to teach PNI graduates to live as independently as possible, address the challenges of their maladaptation after leaving the institution, and facilitate their smooth and comfortable integration into society.
To achieve these goals, the project implements the following steps:
- Training Accommodations: Groups of 4 participants will live in the apartment for 4 months, with 2 people sharing each room.
- Specialist Support: Social workers will provide continuous support to participants throughout their stay.
- Customized Training Programs: During the first two weeks, each participant will undergo a psychological and pedagogical assessment, after which an individualized training plan will be developed.
- Collaborative Effort of Specialists: Specialists will work together to create the program, define learning objectives, and outline detailed content for each area of development.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: The program will be monitored continuously, with progress regularly compared against initial baseline data.
- Daytime Activities: All participants will engage in daytime activities outside the apartment, primarily in the form of employment.
- Training for PNI “Guests”: Every two weeks, two groups of 7 individuals from PNIs will visit the apartment to receive an introduction to independent living through classes and workshops.
- Development of Skills and Motivation: Participants will build self-care skills and motivation to transition to a more independent lifestyle by participating in various workshops and activities.
- Volunteer Support: Volunteers will pair with participants from the PNIs, forming mentee-VIA (Volunteer Individual Assistant) partnerships for ongoing support.
- Comprehensive and Individualized Approach: Specialists, including psychologists and defectologists, will provide personalized support to address the unique needs of each participant.
- Volunteer Training: Volunteers will undergo comprehensive training, equipping them to collaborate with specialists and effectively support the participants in overcoming their challenges.
- Advisory Support: Participants will have access to ongoing advisory support throughout the project.
These steps will empower participants in the Independent Living project by developing the skills and confidence they need to live on their own, while providing the necessary support and resources for their successful adaptation to society.
Relevance
Psychoneurological boarding schools (PNIs), while offering shelter and care, often fall short in preparing their residents for independent living in society. Many residents, despite their disabilities, are capable of and eager to live independently, but they require specialized training and skills to make this a reality.
Research shows that living in environments that closely resemble real-life situations significantly enhances the likelihood of successful social adaptation. This project offers a training apartment where participants can learn essential skills such as budgeting, using household appliances, and interacting with neighbors and service providers – skills crucial for independent living. The project takes a holistic approach, combining self-care training with psychological support, socialization assistance, and community integration. A key component of the program is the training of Volunteer Individual Assistants (VIAs), who can serve as mentors and friends, helping participants navigate their new lives with guidance and support.
Statistics show that a substantial proportion of PNI residents are capable of living independently. Former Minister of Labor and Social Protection Maxim Topilin estimated that up to 45% of PNI residents could transition to accompanied residence. This highlights the critical need for programs that enable these individuals to successfully integrate into society. The Independent Living project not only helps young adults with developmental disabilities achieve independence and build self-confidence, but it also fosters the creation of a more inclusive society, one that is ready to embrace and support every individual.
Social effect
The project facilitates the integration of residents from St. Petersburg’s psychoneurological boarding schools into society by introducing the concept of accompanied residence.
KPI
KPI
Project Results
The Independent Living project has shown significant progress in teaching participants the necessary skills for independent living in the city.
During the first phase, it became evident that the participants had varying levels of readiness for independent living. One participant left the program and was replaced by another. By the end of the first phase, Elena, the participant who displayed the greatest potential for full independence, remained in the project. A total of five people participated in the first stage.
After the second phase, which involved four participants, Elena and Ivan, a new participant from the second phase, remained in the project. This variation in participant levels highlighted the need for a more selective recruitment process, leading to a decision to admit only the two most promising candidates for the third phase. Ultimately, of the four participants who stayed in the project, three – Elena, Ivan, and Emil from the third phase – demonstrated the ability to continue living independently in the city with the support of our organization’s specialists.
The project’s primary outcome was the acquisition of vital knowledge and skills for independent living, along with opportunities to apply these skills in a real urban environment under the guidance and supervision of specialists. A key benefit of the project was the availability of legal support, which proved invaluable. The “guest” training sessions, despite shifting to a hybrid format, played a crucial role in deepening the understanding of independent living of the participants still living in residential institutions. They also fostered motivation for personal growth and a desire to develop the skills needed for self-sufficiency.
The regular involvement of volunteer groups, participants’ engagement in cultural events, and the efforts of voluntary individual helpers greatly enhanced participants’ socialization and integration into society. Public exposure of the project helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities, leading to greater societal engagement.
The training apartment also underscored the importance of personal commitment and the participants’ willingness to take responsibility for their own lives.
Project progress after CSS funding
The project receives funding from several sources:
- The Presidential Grants Fund,
- The Close Others Charitable Foundation,
- Private donations.
Thus, the project is supported by both large organizations and individuals committed to making a difference in socially important causes.
