Our motto: Here everyone matters!
Edu – Campus CONCORDIA
Edu-Campus CONCORDIA is an educational program implemented by the CONCORDIA Humanitarian Organization, an international, independent non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting children, young people and families in need, towards a more independent and responsible life.
Edu-Campus CONCORDIA is an innovative example, unique in Romania, which offers education, counseling and training services for children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds. The educational model we implement is based on a holistic approach that also includes the social and emotional plan, personalized interventions in accordance with the needs and wishes of students and young people. Three projects are currently being implemented within the campus: CONCORDIA Vocational School, CONCORDIA Primary School and the Youth Transit Center.
History
The story of the place where Edu-Campus is now located begins in 2001 when CONCORDIA Orașul Copiilor (C.O.C.) was established near the city of Ploiești, a welcoming place where 84 children initially lived in 7 family-type houses.
Because it was noticed over time that the social and professional integration of young people leaving placement centers was hard, the future of young people “beyond the gates” being a difficult one, in 2010 the Vocational School was established in close proximity to the houses in C.O.C. Preparing young people for 5 specialities (baker, waiter, cook, carpenter and worker in plant culture), since the beginning this school aimed at the social reintegration of children and the development of their skills to build an independent life. Later, in 2021, the decision was made to stop organizing the carpentry course, as it did not respond very well to the needs of young people, given the high degree of complexity and the need for longer training time.
Operating in a new building, House Abraham, the Vocational School is equipped with practical workshops, accommodation for young people coming from the social protection system and various rooms for conducting courses and activities.
Two years later, in March 2011, it was inaugurated next to the C.O.C. the CONCORDIA Bakery, which welcomes Vocational School students from the bakery workshop.
And because we are always attentive to the needs of our beneficiaries, after years in which we understood better and better what are the problems they face when they are on their own, in 2021 we were ready to open the first privately managed Youth Transit Centre in the area. Its purpose is to provide support to young people who complete vocational school courses and are not fully prepared to take the step towards independence.
Youth Transit Centre
Every year, about 3,000 young people leave the social protection system because they become adults. The start in life is often difficult for them. They have not received the support and guidance they need at the right age, and the skills for independent living are often non-existent. They need to learn independent living skills: how to manage a budget, how to cook, they need a stable home and job or continue their education.
The purpose of the Transit Center is the very integration and socio-professional reintegration of these young people, as well as the development of independent life skills, through the specific services offered: accommodation for a fixed period of at least 6 months, counseling and social insertion, psychological counseling and emotional support, vocational guidance and counseling for job retention, socialization and cultural activities.
The facilities of the center offer the opportunity to make the transition to an independent life for a maximum of 25 young people, ensuring semi-independent living conditions in rooms for two or three people with their own bathroom, food preparation and meal service conditions, self-catering conditions and support for registering with a family doctor in order to benefit from the medical services provided by the state.
Team
Mugur Sescu
Social Pedagogue / Project Coordinator
Mălina Szabo
Social Worker
Mihaela Burtel
Social Pedagogue
Iuliana Panait
Nurse
Ana Maria Isbășoiu
Psychologist
Mădălina Corciu
Communication, Fundraising and Sustainability Coordinator
Christian Estermann
Director EDU-CAMPUS
Albert Cuffner
Administrative Director EDU-CAMPUS
Transit Centre Services
Who is it for?
Young people between the ages of 18 and 26 coming from the social protection system, who have left this system in the last 4 years. At the same time, some of the young graduates of the Vocational School can benefit from the center’s services if it is identified during the school year that they need additional support.
The young people admitted to the center must show enough potential so that after the period of stay in the center they can integrate socially, maintain a job and lead a life on their own.
After admission in the center, within two weeks the young people must find a job and present an employment contract concluded with the employer. If, for various reasons, they lose their job, they have another two weeks in which they must present a concluded employment contract in order to extend their stay in the center.
Accommodation
The accommodation capacity of the center is 25 places and offers accommodation for a fixed period of 6 months to a year. Young people can live in rooms for 2 or 3 people, each with its own bathroom.
For the maximum 6-room mode, there is a kitchen and storage spaces equipped with all the necessary equipment
Independent lifestyle abilities
Semi-independent and independent living conditions provide young people with the framework to learn independent living skills. Thus, they learn to manage themselves, if necessary under guidance: meal preparation, personal and home hygiene, managing a budget and professional integration.
In order to familiarize themselves with monthly income management, but also to have the opportunity to save money for the period immediately after leaving the center, when they will have to pay rent, young people benefit from these services based on a modest monthly contribution.
Vocational and psychological counseling
Once they arrive at the center, the young people come under the guidance of a vocational counselor who guides them to find a job. Thus, they are supported to draw up a CV and are explained the possibilities through which they can access various jobs in accordance with their training: online platforms where they can look for a job, attendance at fairs organized by employers or access to the Employment Service of the Labor Force.
At the same time, the organization has stable and long-term partnerships with employers in the Ploiești area who can offer jobs to young people.
Young people who access the services of the Transit Center can benefit from psychological counseling if needed.
Medical assistance in case of emergency
Upon arrival at the center, young people will present a medical certificate certifying that they are registered with a family doctor. Otherwise, they are instructed to register with their family doctor within two weeks
In the event of a medical emergency, the campus medical office can provide short-term assistance until the young person can reach their family doctor or specialist.
Case management
Each young person is unique, and during the time they are with us, we strive to work with them to develop their social and professional skills, paying particular attention to their emotional needs.
“Case management” is an innovative method already integrated into the Vocational School and Primary School concept. A multi-disciplinary team made up of all the staff that interacts with young people (vocational counselor, psychological counselor, social worker, social pedagogue, medical assistant, etc.) discusses the situation of each beneficiary individually. The team periodically analyzes the evolution and situation of each young person and plans together with him the best way of individual development, taking into account both his talents and his needs. Everything is based on permanent communication with young people, listening to their needs and continuous feedback.
What do young people say?
Registration procedure
Prepare an enrollment file that contains:
copy of identity card;
copy of birth certificate;
copy of diploma;
copy of medical certificate (the original must be presented at the interview);
registration application (to be completed at the interview);
social survey report and psychological report;*
Social apartments
As part of the “First room – a chance for the future of young people” project, the project team started another initiative by which it offers 12 young people from the social protection system, who meet the criteria established by the project methodology, access to social apartments rented by to the Organization in the city of Ploiesti. Thus, young people through this project are supported and monitored to keep their job, to be up to date with the rent payment and to be able to save money so that later they can support themselves.
Submit the registration file
by email to the email address mugur.sescu@concordia.org.ro / malina.szabo@concordia.org.ro or to the headquarters in Șos. Centura de Vest, nr. 1A, Ploiești.
Get Involved!
CONCORDIA Vocational School is a dream come true for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with obscure chances after leaving the welfare system. Here we offer the chance for a future where they are no longer subject to prejudice and discrimination, the chance to have a better future regardless of how they started on their life path. This dream could not be made a reality and cannot continue without the involvement of people who believe in our mission.
Any financial help is important for the future of our young people and that is why we offer various opportunities through which you can support us
For persons!
Redirect 3,5% of the income tax
According to the updated Fiscal Code, any taxpayer can choose the destination of the 3.5% of the income tax withheld by the state in the previous year. Thus, you have the possibility to choose a cause to support and redirect this amount to a non-profit entity.
This is at no additional cost to you or your employer.
Donate your birthday on Galantom
The Galantom platform offers the opportunity to donate your birthday to a cause you believe in. If you feel that our cause is close to your heart, we invite you to donate on your birthday on the Galantom page created for our project here.
*CSR or Cause Related Marketing
How else can you help us?
Marketing associated with a social cause: up to 7% of the unit price of a product/service of the company to support social-educational programs for EDU-CAMPUS CONCORDIA projects. Thus, our children and young people have access to quality education. The simplest variant, the same percentage of a product’s revenue from one day “Today we support the CONCORDIA Humanitarian Organization.”
Organization of projects for the benefit of the community, such as team building or CSR programs for company employees (company anniversary, joint activities with children, space arrangements, etc.)
Volunteering
Even if you can’t support us financially, but you want to contribute, you can become a volunteer. Depending on your skills and our needs, we can determine together how to work together.
For additional information, please contact us at madalina.corciu@concordia.org.ro
Or by phone at 0728 133 609.
