1.  Program "Kangaroo"

The "Kangaroo" program provides an early social rehabilitation of children with special needs from 0 to 6 years.

The initial consultations were held and children into the group were accepted. In September we had 6 children with special needs. Each child was diagnosed (Strassmeier diagnostics). Assessment of the level of development is reflected in the registration form for each child. The process has clearly determined the level of development of each child, and helped to formulate objectives and methods of achieving them.

Sessions were held on five major functional components: self-service - social development, fine and gross motor skills, language (speech), thinking and perception. Working with children was done in three ways: a group work, individual sessions and subgroup work (2-3 persons.).

It should be noted that two children (Akim and Maxim) attended the Kangaroo program before, the others were separated from parents for the first time in their life. From the words of one of the mothers about free time she got: "Girls, thank you so much! For the first time in the last couple years I just went for the coffee in a coffee shop..."

Period of adaptation of the children is successful. The observed group dynamics is the following: "old children" help to set the rules to the newcomers.

We see the progress of children.

Akim (age 4,6) became more relaxed due to the proper organization of play, he cries less and articulates the words better and more accurate.

Maxim (4 years) tries to pronounce two or more words (initially he was limited to one), builds sentences after a massage course.

Kate (age 2,5) expanded vocabulary up to 10-15 words. She thinks on her feet, plays all that she had seen was done in the game by other children. Her coordination was much improved.

Zakhar (age 2,5) started to speak more words, actively uses sign language to communicate. He has learned to drink from a cup by himself. Unfortunately his mother has bad backaches and can no longer carry him to our Centre. For now they quit the program, if they find the way to get to our place with a car (with other parents) they will start to attend the group again.

Alina is slowly accustoming to loud noises, she is very active at music lessons.

Daniel talks a lot (it is difficult to interpret what he says), however he does not speak at home. He learns to control himself and his behavior.

In the form of a game children get sessions on physical rehabilitation: motor spatial orientation, sensory-motor development.

This month two volunteers (Dima and Sergei) worked in the program. They conducted physical rehabilitation and  provided social and pedagogical support for children.

2.  Program "Volunteers"

In September Florence Centre with renewed energy started to work with volunteers. This time we brought everyone to help the programs "Kangaroo" (work with disable children) and "We are just like you!" (work at the detention centre). Students - social pedagogues and social workers - enthusiastically helped in collecting toys for children with special needs, in the preparation of methodical materials. We were especially pleased that many of the volunteers are students who have had practice in our Centre. Among the volunteers in the program "We are just like you!" are future professionals in international tourism: active, energetic, positive guys. This month they visited the detention centre and held a football meeting with the  kids. The meeting ended with a cup of tea by the fire.

In addition, we were pleased with the people who just come with the offer of assistance. So, this month, the volunteer Natalia gave a library for the elderly people in one of the local social services centers.

We thank each of our volunteers for their invaluable help!

3.  Program "Healthy Lifestyle" (work at schools)

This month we have disseminated information about the lectures and workshops which Florence Centre could provide on healthy life style.  As a result - we have received several requests for trainings and lectures.

The most urgent needs were identified by schools. It was the prevention of violence and conflict at school and building constructive communication skills. Social workers and teachers are concerned about the increasing rate of violence in school. Therefore, understanding the problem, schools asked for help from our Centre. We believe such cooperation helps to improve the quality of life of children and helps them in solving many problems, and this is an important goal of our program.

Also a lecture on tobacco prevention "The truth about smoking" was conducted for the two groups of students of Zaporizhzhya National Technical University.

4.   Program "We are just like you!" (detention centre)

"The children are looking forward to meeting you. Please, come! "- These words belong to the director of the Kamyshevahskaya school of rehabilitation. And it helps to feel that our work is valued by teens. In September, after the summer we renewed monthly trips to the teens from the detention centre. 16 volunteers- students majoring in International Tourism once again gladly agreed to hold sports activities for children. Football is a favorite game of children. And tea by the fire has created an atmosphere of joy.

Although we have seen stiffness in communication, sometimes blank looks of teens, we are confident that such a meeting won’t go unnoticed. Respect to the teens by the students, friendly smile give children hope for a better future.

5.  Methodical work

 Specialists of Florence Centre have written an article in an academic journal of the Nizhyn Pedagogical University. Theme of the article: "Using of foreign experience in teaching at the University to improve the quality of training of future social workers in  Ukraine". Florence Centre is used as an example of good links between academic studies and practical work.

6.   Social actions

 "Florence Centre" undertook a new project dedicated to work with older generation. We plan to publish a calendar for 2013, in which the characters will be active retired people of Zaporizhzhya. With this project we try to destroy the stereotypes about older people and show the public that life after retirement is just beginning! In September was done the preparatory work, namely, finding and interviewing potential characters for the calendar.

7.  Family Club ("Just a Miracle!”)

In September two groups ended classes - family group (2 couples) and women's group (3 future mums). Participants in both groups become very good friends, what gave a sense of mutual support and more self-discovery during sessions. One couple has already successfully delivered a boy Arseniy (October, 1, 2012).

In the feedback the participants positively noted the necessary combination of theoretical material and practice, a well-organized structure of the course, a positive atmosphere, cognitive and emotional impact of each session. Importantly that breathing and relaxation techniques were used by participants in the classroom  quite active, which resulted in improved self-perception and physical condition not of parents.

Also specialists of the program took part in the holiday for young families within support of the International Babywearing week in Ukraine. The celebration took place on 14 September at the central square of Zaporizhzhya, over 20 families with kids participated.

8.   Other

In September the specialists of the Florence Centre held meetings with partners on fundraising issues (FOMCU). We also actively prepare the visit of Canadian counterparts (the formation of the visit, paper work, etc.).