Group Home for Adults with Special Needs

Goal

Provide a group home to love and nurture adults with special needs with 24-hour care.

Need

There are currently around 50 adults with special needs in the city of Uzhhorod. The parents of these adults are concerned what will happen to their children after they are unable to care for them or have passed away.

Currently, there is only one choice, which is a government-run institution that throws these adults with special needs into the same building with adults with neurological and psychological problems. This is not a healthy situation. The men are sent to a large institution located in the village of Turya Remeta in the Perechin region which houses up to 300 people. The women are sent to a smaller institution located in the city of Mukachave. The living conditions of these institutions are horrendous (although the women’s institution is a little more acceptable as it is in a city). Both are closed facilities where patients are not allowed to leave. These institutions provide no family care, counseling, or career training. They only offer food and a bed.

Plan

Currently, a community center operates for around 18 adults with special needs in the city of Uzhhorod. It is a joint partnership between the Church of the Transfiguration (Greek Catholic), charity fund Caritas, and local NGO Nadia (Hope). One Collective also participates in their many activities for adults with special needs. At this community center, they offer socialization opportunities around crafts, music, and dancing. The center also houses the church offices. Altogether, they share around 400 sq. m. The church covers all of the utilities for the center and the programs are run rent-free by Caritas and Nadia. The plan is to build a second story which will include eight small apartments with private bathrooms, each room for two adults. It will also include a kitchen, dining room, living area, and a medical office. There will be an elevator to access the second floor. The total plan would be 350-400 sq. m. Cost

It is estimated that the construction of the second floor will cost 300,000 euros. They have not yet calculated the amount for the furnishings and medical equipment. Nor have they calculated the ongoing expenses such as utilities, food, and salaries. My best estimate would be another 50,000 euros for the furnishing and medical equipment bringing the one-time budget to around 350,000 euros ($400,000).

Partners

Church of the Transfiguration (Uzhhorod – Greek Catholic)
Caritas
Nadia
One Collective
Roman Catholic Church in Germany (already gave 10,000 euro for first floor renovations)
Uzhhorod Rotary Club (verbally pledged to cover the expense of elevator)