Crossroads Plus charity foundation

Project idea

Beskudnikovo (a sleeper neighborhood in the north of Moscow) lacks venues, resources, and opportunities for the socialization and psychological support of teenagers and their families, especially concerning teenagers from at-risk groups.

Therefore, the management of Non-Profit Partnership “Crossroads Plus” plans to open a Center for Psychological Assistance for teenagers and their families in Beskudnikovo.

The Center will provide free assistance to teenagers, support programs for parents, and organize events to develop the communication and social skills of young people. Additionally, the Center will facilitate the creation of a community for teenagers and parents.

In the context of the pandemic and worsening social and financial conditions, it is crucial to overcome isolation and create resource zones to prevent emotional burnout and depressive states in children and their parents.

Relevance

Adolescence is an important period for the development of social intelligence, which later affects the quality of life, success, and the ability for self-realization of young people.

The leading activity during adolescence is communication with peers, through which teenagers learn interpersonal interaction and form stable ways of creating and maintaining relationships.

However, young people often struggle to find a place where they can freely experiment with different role models and explore their identities. Schools, clubs, and families impose certain demands and expectations on teenagers, which limits the opportunities for self-expression and development for both girls and boys. As a result, young people may engage in non-constructive and socially unacceptable forms of socialization, such as withdrawing into themselves, isolating from peers, or committing offenses.

The teen club will become a unique and safe space for teenagers where they can interact with peers, explore their identities, and receive adult support, as well as formulate a request for help from a tutor or the club's psychologist.

The project has high social significance and allows to:

• create a safe and supportive space for teenagers;
• prevent the negative consequences of non-constructive socialization;
• provide timely assistance to young people who need psychological support or social adaptation;

support parents by providing them with necessary information and consultations.

Social effect

Development of social infrastructure for young people and increasing the number of well-adjusted teenagers and their families in the Beskudnikovo District (North Administrative District, Moscow).