The Christian Help Center Horní Počernice /family shelter

National Network
Czech Republic
Address

Křovinovo nám.11/16
19300 Praha 9
Czechia

Telephone
+ 420 281 091 713
E-Mail
selingerova@gmail.com
Mobile Phone
+420 776 282 427
Organisation Type
Non-Governmental Organization
Year of Establishment
1999
Fields of Activity
  1. Democracy and community development
  2. Human rights
  3. Others
  4. Youth and education
General Information
The shelter opened in 1999 and provides accommodation and social support to struggling single mothers and families. Families do not need to be Christians to receive help. We accept families from throughout the Czech Republic and Slovakia and other countries. Many Roma families in need are accepted to our centre although residents are not limited to only Roma. Our shelter is unique by accepting the whole families not only single mothers or fathers. Our aim is to stabilize  family life from problems such as family violence, money management, psychological problems, and to contribute to their social integration. The maximum length of stay for each family is one year. Each family meets with a professional social worker at the start of their stay. We are happy to provide weekly counselling with a therapist.
Mission and Objectives

- to help socially and economically marginalised Czech and foreign families, including – but not limited to – Roma families, offering them shelter, counceling and other social work services
- to contribute to reduction of xenophobia and racism in the Czech society through awareness raising and public events
- to nurture the social life of the Prague suburb Horni Pocernice community through public activities bringing together local residents, elderly people, marginalised families and representatives of covil society

Main Projects / Activities

The shelter egages in a number of activities, eg. the reading project involving a group of volunteers: the project’s purpose is to encourage both parents and children to read together regularly, thus enhancing children’s knowledge, vocabulary and imagination. We invite parents, senior citizens, celebrities and other volunteers to participate and read to children. We also provide the opportunity and space for senior citizens from Prague quarter Horni Pocernice to meet regularly in the shelter to engage in various creative activities.
We cooperate with colunteers, such as Carol, a US volunteer, who regularly visits children in the shelter, teaching them English, drawing and painting with them or making cookies.

How can you contribute to the Network in your country?

- offering experience and knowledge in the area of awareness raising about „the other“, in the Czech society especially Roma people, to effectively combat racism and discrimination
- bring a new perspective into the intercultural dialogue, focusing on the intercultural dialogue both within and outside the Czech society, with „the other“ among us and around us

Why do you want to join the ALF Network?

Exchange of experience and good practices with other similarly focused organizations throughout Europe and Eastern and Southern Mediterranean, providing social support for the marginalised families in their societies, combating xenophobia and discrimination in local societies and raising awareness about the human rights and social issues affecting the marginalised.
Engagement in common projects, meetings and other networking and learning opportunities in the area of support of the minorities and the marginalised people and groups within societies.
Benefiting from ALF awareness raising and educational materials, tools and training opportunities in the area of intercultural education and awareness raising.
Provision of volunteer opportunities in our shelter for both Czech and non-Czech people.

Contact (1) Full Name
Gabriela Selinger
Job Title
PR expert, fundraiser
Head of the organisation
PhDr. Roman Čepelák