What sets the social services provided by the Cedar Foundation apart? Donors, partners, and journalists often ask this question.
To move beyond the outdated label “children’s homes” – which once meant institutions or orphanages – we answer: the care. In other words, it is the respect, the acceptance of each individual’s unique qualities, and the connection formed with them in a natural and empathetic way. Social work, as support for someone in need, relies fundamentally on building a relationship of trust and understanding an individual’s specific needs. This philosophy lies at the core of Cedar Foundation’s care for children and adults who lack families to support them and stand by their side.
When we created these first-of-their-kind social services and assumed their management 15 years ago in the town of Kyustendil, we and the dedicated professionals built strong, lasting bonds with the residents of these family-type placement centers. Of the 24 children initially placed, the majority continue to live in these residential services today. To address their needs for rehabilitation and therapeutic support, we partnered with the Municipality of Kyustendil to establish a Social Rehabilitation and Integration Center. There, a team of nine specialists supports our young people, as well as youth with intellectual disabilities living with their families, alongside their relatives.
Over the past 15 years of managing four residential services in Kyustendil, we have invested over €1,000,000 in them. Additionally, our own financial contribution invested over the 10 years of managing the “Sineva” Social Rehabilitation and Integration Center in the town amounts to nearly €300,000.
This is why, when the Municipality of Kyustendil announced a tender for the management of the town’s social services, we applied once again – and we are proud to share that we won. This ensures the continuity and sustainability of residential care for people with disabilities in Kyustendil. It also allows us to plan new activities, diverse engagements, and continue serving as a pillar of support and a family for our young people.
