Keystone Human Services International

Tudora Children and Family Center:
Unitate Community Center

Tudora, a small village on the Dniestr River in the southeast corner of Moldova, faces the characteristic challenges of many villages in the republic: as interior industry dwindles, many adults and parents pursue employment opportunities outside of the region and even outside of the republic. Consequently, many children live alone for long stretches of time, lose their homes or are sent away from their communities.

The children and family center in Tudora is named Unitate (Unity), and it unites children and families undergoing or at risk of significant hardships with the services and support they need to lead healthy and active lives. Founded in 2004, the Unitate Community Center provides support for children from vulnerable families, children from single parent families, social orphans (those whose parents work abroad) and those whose parents struggle with alcohol addiction. Among the services the center's employees provide are educational support, psychological evaluation, social and life skills training, artistic workshops and psychological support for parents.

History

The Unitate center in Tudora is the realization of a vision, inspired by the unity of dream and experience that is at the heart of KHSI initiatives. Tudora resident Liliana Malancea participated in a Keystone Human Services international internship program, learning about Keystone and receiving human services management training for one year. Inspired by the philosophy of Keystone's Head Start program, Liliana believed that a similar child-centered, family-focused and community-based program could greatly benefit her home village in Moldova. Uniting her personal experience in Tudora and her professional experience with Keystone, Liliana formulated a proposal for a children and family center in the village. KHSI recognized the significance of Liliana's personal investment in Tudora and decided to support the development and operation of the new center through the recently-launched Keystone Human Services International Moldova Association (KHSIMA).

Prior to the official commencement of the Unitate Community Center, KHSIMA provided support for a variety of outreach services in the region to develop community participation, service models and general support for the program. As the community invested in its success, the center's impact grew, and KHSIMA began to seek support for expansion.

In 2006, KHSIMA received grant funding from the European Commission, whose TACIS (Technical Aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States) program provides grant assistance to support initiatives in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. KHSIMA implemented the TACIS "Community Based-Supports to Children and Families in Difficult Social Situations" project for 18 months: with EC support, the Unitate center expanded services to support more children, hire more teachers, and provide specialized support for social orphans and children with disabilities. The "Community Based-Supports to Children and Families in Difficult Social Situations" project also funded the start of KHSIMA's second children and family center in Bacioi.

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