The world of children from families in crisis and adults suffering from disabilities and the elderly from Gargžda expanded 19 years ago, when the Gargžda Social Services Center, which they call a second home, opened its doors. In almost a couple of decades, the institution has expanded its activities – established three departments and instead of two, it provides nine social services to a large group of visitors. Last September, one of the biggest tests was the creation of a child and family support unit.
A new unit is a trial
The emergence of the Gargžda Social Services Center has brightened the daily lives of disabled and elderly people and their relatives, as a new space has emerged, an opportunity to gather, communicate, and learn – many activities for visitors according to their abilities. 19 years ago, 17 people started visiting the Day social care center of this institution, and 15 people started visiting the Children’s day center. The social service center with three departments now provides 9 services, 95 employees work, of which 7 are on childcare leave.
The child and family support unit established last September is one of the biggest tests after the centralization of accounting. This is a big change not only for the Gargždai social services center, but also for the Lapiai village community, because the reorganized primary school here is connected to the Vėžaičiai school, only primary and kindergarten children remained in Lapiai. “District politicians decided to connect the former communal foster home of Lapia School to the Gargždai Social Services Center, because it is a social service, not an educational one,” said director Viktorija Lygnugarienė. – After considering the structure of the institution, the services provided, we decided to establish a new unit and integrate the crisis center into it. After all, services are provided to people of both groups in apartments. Now the unit has a cottage in Lapiai (8 places) and 4 apartments in Gargždai, two of which provide services to clients of the crisis center.”
The employees of the crisis center were transferred to the child and family support unit, and all those who worked in the Lapiai community home also moved here.
The employer has changed
“Community orphanage (there are 13 children) is a new service, a considerable challenge. The administration needed to get to know and understand the specifics of this work. It was necessary to adjust everything in such a way that the children did not feel a big change, their normal life did not change. We try to satisfy their best interests”, V. Lygnugarienė taught. So nothing has changed: the same employees work with the children, and the latter’s employer has changed – now the Center for Social Services. Former social pedagogues are now social workers. Thus, there have been changes for professionals, for example, the length of vacation is changing.
“Community care home is a big family, the director is like a mother, who gives daily allowances to the children every month. And employees who live with children are called mothers, – observed the deputy director Vilma Bružienė. – Social and individual care workers work in the team. 26 children were licensed and we adopted 14 children. There is a need to expand the services of the crisis center in the Klaipėda district.”
The birthday party started with a traditional song
Every year at the beginning of February, visitors of the Gargžda Social Services Center celebrate the institution’s birthday, this year the 19th, with their relatives. In your group, without guests. The center hall was too narrow – not everyone could fit in, only representatives from the departments came, employees crowded in the corners, but the mood was high. “We always start the celebration with our traditional song, the words of which we created ourselves, and we adapted the melody with the music director,” revealed V. Bružienė with a smile. – The visitors’ parents and relatives congratulated them, who are happy that our center, their second home, is alive. They sincerely thanked the employees for their patience, dedication, love, creativity.”
“It’s nice to feel the feedback – it’s our biggest appreciation,” said director V. Lygnugarienė with satisfaction. – Only as a team, with the support of parents and relatives, we can implement many things.”
V. Bružienė seconded that the departments of the institution are able to function as separate “organisms”, only the administration needs to intervene a little, to draw up legislation.
During its 19 years of existence, the Gargžda Social Services Center has developed beautiful traditions that enrich the world of visitors. For example, every year it is a great joy to go to summer escorts by bus with the employees, to have fun. In the summer, he also goes on sightseeing tours – he visited Dreverna, Rusne and elsewhere.
“We are planning activities – it’s fun for everyone to leave the space of their homes, to show what they are capable of,” V. Bružienė said. – Some feel lonely – it’s a pleasure to go to a cafe together with the manager, where you don’t dare to visit alone. We go to the cinema – we watch the screenings shown during the day. We are glad that we are located in the city center – there are no obstacles to visit where we want.”
The turnover of the center’s visitors is small – some have been visiting since the beginning of the establishment. Gintautas Mejeras, one of the first, congratulated those gathered on the institution’s 19th birthday in his own words. “His abilities spread here – he published a book of poetry, he is writing verses again, we plan to present his work in May – revealed V. Bružienė. – It’s nice when visitors develop their creativity, and with our help they can present it to the public. They themselves are also satisfied – after returning home they tell about their impressions. What if he spent his time only in that space, behind the four walls?” Every year on Gargžda St. In the Church of Archangel Michael, exhibitions of works by visitors of the Gargžda Social Services Center are being held, dedicated to the International Day of the Disabled. It is a space where every visitor can express himself.
Lack of space, but waiting for ideas
Social workers work creatively with visitors, who, according to the managers, are teachers, mothers, dancers, and singers, initiators of creative ideas. “We are people of a universal profession,” V. Bružienė smiled. – We accept volunteers – they can come here with their ideas, develop their skills. We are open to various offers, very flexible. By the way, some volunteers with appropriate education are employed when a vacancy occurs. There are currently 4 long-term volunteers.” When asked about the future of the center, the managers regretted the lack of spaces. “Our environment is not suitable for all customers,” V. Lygnugarienė did not hide. – We would like to equip a room with relaxation equipment so that visitors can rest, but there are no available rooms. Last year we turned one room into a triple bedroom.”
Spaces are needed for people with special needs – there must be separate rooms isolated from extraneous sounds, but there is no place to equip them and they cannot receive these people. According to the interlocutors, the state policy is to transfer social services to the non-governmental sector. “We try to fulfill our functions by adapting to what we have,” said V. Lygnugarienė.
The Gargžda social service center operates a day social care center for adults with disabilities and the elderly (almost everyone is picked up and taken home), a day social care center for adults with disabilities and the elderly, a children’s day center, a unit of a hostel, a unit of a care center , child and family support unit. 9 social services are provided here. There are 95 employees, including 7 on parental leave. Visitors pay up to 20 percent. your income. They get breakfast and lunch.
Virginia LAPIENĖ
Gargžda social service center archive photo.
