Bethlehem House of Charity

Open since 31 August 2011

Aim and objectives

To help addicted people who want to change their lives – not just the external conditions of life, but also to restore their personal dignity, recognizing its value to build healthy relationships and working and serving others.

Working to help the addicts:

• to come to terms with themselves, regain responsibility and a sense of purpose in life;
• to become independent;
• to settle the relationships with relatives and friends;
• to find suitable employment and leisure activities.

Bethlehem House of Charity is a Christian charity aid centre, but we respect our residents’ freedom of religion.

Bethlehem House of Charity  is open to any addicted person, but it is intended to help:

• the poor, needy people, including the homeless;
• the people who are freed from prison.

Addict rehabilitation program

• everyday life and work in the community;
• work within the program “12 steps on the road to freedom”;
• working together, we will look for opportunities to resume paid employment corresponding to abilities of teh community members;
• length of stay 6 – 9 month rehabilitation, followed by a 6-month adaptation period;
• an average of 20 people live in Bethlehem House of Charity;
• all activities are not financed by state or municipality, there are no paid employees (volunteering and donations)

Initial results:

• 79 people (80% of them – homeless people) were involved in the rehabilitation program;
• 7 people (9%) successfully completed the program and returned to a wholesome lifestyle, including being recruited as volunteers or serving at Bethlehem House of Charity;
• periodically attracted 8 volunteers

The results in the second year:

• 56 people (70% of them – homeless people) involved in the rehabilitation program
• 7 people (13%)  successfully completedthe program and returned to a wholesome lifestyle, including 2 of them currently as missionaries in rehabilitation programmes

In the near future we plan:

• Renovation of the building at  14 Katoļu Street
• Social entrepreneurship
• Farm food cultivation
• Advisory Centre for co-addicted members of addicts families.
• Sanitary facilities for the homeless (shower rooms, making it possible to take a bath, wash clothes and to change clothes);
• Soup kitchen for homeless people
• Day centre for young people from socially disadvantaged families

• 

  Missionary Andrei

  

  Friends from Olaine congregation

  

  Worship

  
  

  

  Celebration

  

  Friends from community “Effata”

  

  
  

  

  service to residents of an elderly home

  

  Summer camp

  

  Sport activities

  
  

  

  The annual pilgrimage to Aglona

  

  The annual pilgrimage to Aglona

  

  Sport activities

  
  

  

  morning exercise

  

  Talk

  

  prayer in the chapel

  
  

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