Every year the problem of social orphanhood and parental abandonment of their newborn children becomes more urgent. Despite the fact that caring for maternal and child health is one of the main national priorities, pregnant women and mothers with children find themselves in difficult life circumstances due to domestic violence, condemnation from family and friends, and difficult financial situation. As a result, women are unable to provide proper care for their newborns, as they need help themselves.
To help these women, our charitable organization organized the Mother and Child Center program. The program is aimed at preventing social orphanhood and strengthening the family institution by fostering responsible motherhood, mother-child attachment, and preventing the placement of children in boarding schools. The program provides temporary housing and a range of social services to pregnant women (7-9 months of pregnancy) and mothers with children from birth to 6 years old who find themselves in difficult life circumstances. The basis for enrollment in the program is being in difficult life circumstances, such as lack of housing, domestic violence, and difficult financial situation.
Enrollment in the Mother and Child Center is based on a written application from a woman; a referral from the Service for Children, an identity document and a medical certificate of health of a pregnant woman, and, in case of enrollment of a woman with a child, a birth certificate.
The Center provides women with a temporary place of residence, hard and soft equipment. The Center’s specialists provide individual and group correctional work, psychological support, and medical, legal, and pedagogical counseling. The Center also provides comprehensive prevention of problems in the psychological and social development of pregnant women and mothers with children. Specialists advise mothers on the development and upbringing of young children, and assist in enrolling their children in preschools and schools. They also conduct classes aimed at developing the skills of living independently with a child. Women are helped to get an education and find a job.