„THE  WORLD  OF  HOPE” ASSOCIATION

„The World of Hope” Association is an independent institution working in order to support the development, rehabilitation and social integration of mentally disabled people.

It’s founders and members are teachers, therapists, parents and care providers and other people involved in work with mentally disabled people.

GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION:

The primary goal of the association „The World of Hope” is to work with mentally disabled people and to improve their life environment by spreading and developing modern techniques and methods of education, rehabilitation and providing opportunity for better functioning and integration within the society. The scope of the association’s activities include:

1. Work in the education-correction area:

- propagation of newly developed methods of rehabilitation and correction;

- support for new projects and educational programs;

- exchange and cooperation with other Polish and international organizations that share the same goals

and work in connected fields;

- leading and providing support for other centers and branches of the organization that specialize in the

work with mentally disabled people.

2. Support and help for parents and care providers of mentally disabled children - supervising and leading classes that are designed to teach and provide information for parents and care providers of the mentally disabled children (workshops, classes and consultations with the specialists in the field) and organization of supporting groups (for exchange of information, experience and help between the parents).

3. Supporting creative thoughts and involvment of mentally disabled people in the artistic, cultural and social area, implementing programs of theraphy and physical activity of mentally disabled people through:

- art and creative thinking methods;

- promotion of methods of art-therapeutics, organization of „art classes” by artists and therapeutists in

public schools;

- promotion and encouragement of mentally disabled people to be involved in the social and cultural

life of the society visits to museums, theatres and involvment in other social events;

- cooperation with other institutions and organizations;

4. Promotion of physical fitness and sport for handicapped group of the society:

- organization of rehabilitation and fitness camps for mentally disabled children and health care

providers;

- organization of social and sport events as well as promotion of active life style;

5. Protection of the civil rights of mentally disabled people through cooperation with other organizations and institutions working on behalf of mentally disabled people.

6. Raising funds to effectively improve physical and mental conditions of mentally disabled people

PARTNERSHIP:

The Association cooperates with other official organizations and institutions and that specialize in improvement of opportunities for optimal development of mentally disabled children as well as provide support and promote similar goals

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PROGRAM FOR ENCOURAGING SOCIAL PARTICIPATION OF MENTALLY DISABLED PEOPLE

The program, developed by our association to improve the conditions of social participation of mentally disabled people, was started at the beginning of 2007.

THE PROGRAM AIMS TO:

> enable fuller and more active participation of mentally disable people in social life,

> seek and create new chances for such people to take part in social activities and achieve professional fulfillment,

> bring the problem of mentally disabled people to the attention of cultural and social institutions and circles, initiate contact and start relationships in creating space for social participation of such people.

THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:

Classes designed to encourage social participation of mentally disabled people, run in conjunction with important social institutions and organizations working in the fields of culture and art.

The program is implemented in partnership with important Wroclaw-based social institutions and organizations working in the fields of culture, art and sport, such as galleries, theaters, museums, and libraries. Our partners include:

Polish Theater in Wroclaw, The Ossolinski National Institute, BWA Wroclaw-Galleries of Contemporary Art., WRO Art Center, Faculty of Ceramics and Glass and Museum of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw, Song of the Goat Theater, Entropia Gallery.

The partnerships will involve the following:

a) visits of mentally disable people in the above institutions and organizations where they will take part in a number of different events (exhibitions, film screenings, performances, etc.)

b) offering mentally disabled people a chance to learn how the institutions and organizations work, watch and find out more about different jobs (artist, actor, director, librarian, coach, athlete, manager, musician, technical staff member)

c) together with managers and staff of individual institutions, we want to enable mentally disabled people to find a place for their own activities and participation in social life. This can be in the form of one-off or regular events where such people will engage in artistic activities or take over certain social roles and responsibilities, e.g. help out with preparing exhibitions or drama productions, as cleaners or cloakrooms attendants, at exhibition openings and athletic events.

d) art-related workshops and educational meetings led by artists, therapists and journalists, which will give mentally disabled people the opportunity to express themselves and participate in social life through art.

Partnerships with other organizations working to encourage social and professional participation of mentally disabled people (House of Peace Foundation, Dutch Amarant organization and Artilabo atelier in Breda, La Pirinola Association in Mexico, Lower Silesian Ostoja Association, and the Society of Theater Friends Arka).