Russian Orphan Opportunity Fund

PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN IN RUSSIAN ORPHANAGES, AND YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE GROWN UP IN RUSSIAN ORPHANAGES, AIMING TO ERADICATE PREJUDICES AGAINST THEM, PROVIDING A COMMUNITY LIVING CONTEXT FOR ORPHANAGE GRADUATES TO HELP THEM INTEGRATE INTO AND ADD TO SOCIETY.

IN 2021, ROOF'S LARGEST PROJECT CONTINUED TO BE THE PSKOV POST-ORPHANAGE CENTRE IN THE CITY OF PSKOV (THE FR PAVEL ADELGEIM CENTRE FOR POST-ORPHANAGE SUPPORT). IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING BASIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, OUR CENTRE ALSO HELPS ORPHANAGE GRADUATES WITH QUESTIONS OF OBTAINING HOUSING, KEEPING NECESSARY PERSONAL DOCUMENTS UP TO DATE, AND FINDING AND MAINTAINING JOBS. THE CENTRE ALSO SERVES THE EQUALLY IMPORTANT GOAL OF PROVIDING A "FAMILY AND SUPPORT GROUP FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO FIND THEMSELVES ALONE IN THE CITY AT THE AGE OF 16+, AFTER GROWING UP IN RURAL ORPHANAGES. AT THE CLOSE OF 2021, OUR PROGRAMS WERE SERVING AROUND 200 ORPHANAGE GRADUATES IN THE PSKOV AREA. IN ADDITION TO EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, ROOF PROVIDES A GREAT DEAL OF LEGAL AID, HELPING ORPHANAGE LEAVERS TO SECURE HOUSING; DESPITE BEING GUARANTEED A RIGHT TO HOUSING UPON LEAVING THE ORPHANAGE, VERY FEW OF THESE YOUNG ADULTS MANAGE TO ENACT THEIR RIGHTS WITHOUT ONE OR MORE FORMAL COURT CASES. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH MUNICIPAL AND REGIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES PERSONNEL, SO AS TO BEST SERVE OUR TARGET GROUP. IN 2021, OUR MAIN EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS WERE IN TUTORING BASIC RUSSIAN AND MATH, AND WORKING ON THINKING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND BROADENING OF COGNITIVE SKILLS. MOST OF OUR WORK IS ONE-ON-ONE OR IN SMALL GROUPS. THE PSKOV SOCIAL FLAT AND PORKHOV ABILITATION CENTRE BOTH PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL, ROUND-THE-CLOCK "LIFE-SKILLS" TRAINING TO A GROUP OF YOUNG ADULTS. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE THE GOAL OF HELPING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES AND INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD BE ON THE STREET OR IN ADULT INSTITUTIONS IF NOT FOR THESE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS.