For 11 years, the Pankracy Foundation has supported children and young people facing difficult life circumstances, especially those growing up in alternative care, Youth Educational Centres and families facing complex difficulties.
An important part of our work is the people who are willing to share their knowledge, time and energy to accompany young people at pivotal moments in their lives. We believe that effective support should be thoughtfully planned and tailored to the needs of each individual. Through this collaboration, we help young people develop their talents, look after their health, pursue education and prepare for independent adult life. That is why we create a space at the Foundation where volunteers can help, share their skills and gain experience working with young people.
We run educational, career-focused, mentoring, therapeutic and cultural projects. We work with care institutions, foster families, public institutions, companies and individuals who, together with us, want to give young people a better start.
We welcome people who would like to do something with us – regularly or as part of specific initiatives. Everyone has something they can share.
Support tailored to the individual
Every child and every young person has their own story, needs and circumstances. That is why we do not follow a one-size-fits-all model. We plan support individually, in cooperation with the young person, their carers, and the people and institutions that know their situation.
We work closely with residential care institutions, foster families, family support centres, social welfare centres, Youth Educational Centres and local community organisations.
We support development and education
We help children and young people discover their talents, develop their interests and gain new skills. We fund extracurricular activities, tutoring, specialist courses, scholarships and tuition fees. We also organise educational, artistic and cultural projects that broaden horizons and build confidence.
We create events where young people are not only participants, but also co-creators. One example is the “Hola, hola, literatura!” festival, which brings together literature, art, music, movement and meetings with creators.
We help young people enter adulthood
One of the most important areas of our work is supporting young people as they become independent.
We run a permanent Clothing Bank where young people can receive free clothing for work, job interviews, important events or everyday use. We also organise the “In Good Style for Your First Job” workshops, where participants learn how to prepare a CV, practise job interviews, discover their strengths and receive professional photographs and carefully selected outfits.
Together with our partners, we also run paid internships and fund driving licence courses. This helps young people gain their first experience, improve their mobility and build greater independence.
We stand alongside young people
As part of the “MOC – Młodzież, Opieka, Czas (Youth, Care, Time)” project, we support young people leaving Youth Educational Centres. We connect them with mentors who accompany them as they make decisions, build responsibility, develop independence and regain confidence in their own abilities.
We also organise therapeutic camps where young people take part in activities supporting emotional development, including sport, yoga and time in nature. These trips offer space to rest, focus on personal growth and discover new possibilities.
We support young people’s health and everyday needs
We fund psychological and therapeutic support, sports activities, trips and other forms of assistance tailored to the individual needs of the young people we support.
We also provide care institutions with in-kind donations received from partners, support renovation projects, organise collections and fund summer and winter holidays. We prepare community events, balls, workshops and other activities that allow children and young people to experience joy, belonging and a sense of safety.
We work together
Effective support begins with relationships, attentiveness and the presence of another person. That is why we create a space where volunteers can not only help, but also share their skills. We cooperate with individuals, companies, public institutions, care institutions and community organisations.
Together, we share knowledge, experience, time and resources. We connect people who want to help with young people who need thoughtful support and a genuine opportunity.
We believe that well-planned support can change not only a young person’s everyday life, but the course of their entire adult life.
If you would like to become one of our volunteers, get in touch!