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Helping Vulnerable Children and Women
Family Preservation and Reunification • Foster Care Domestic Adoption • Sponsorship • Volunteers

After their birth, twins Larisa and Denisa were at risk of being abandoned in the hospital because their parents could not afford to care for them. Bethany was called to help and workers learned that the parents were without education, identification paperwork, or secure jobs. Bethany provided counseling, education, and support to this family. When the twins turned seven months old, their parents brought them home. Although this family still struggles financially, the parents no longer consider abandoning their children. They know that they can rely on Bethany’s help when they need it.

Providing Educational Services
Life Skills Education and Mentoring to Orphans • Social Work Training for Government Workers, Professionals, and Future Social Workers

Ciprian was abused and neglected by his mother. At age six, he was placed in an orphanage for his protection. Bethany learned about Ciprian and provided life skills training/mentoring by teaching him how to live independently and get a job. Bethany also gave counseling and support, and helped Ciprian contact his biological father and sister. As he ages out of the system, Bethany will help him find a job and reunite with his father. Today, Ciprian is hopeful about his future.

EXCERPTS FROM THE BETHANY ROMANIA PROGRAM TIMELINE

1991•Begins development of a one-year social work course, the family preservation program, and the Kind Heart fundraising campaign.
1992•Helps to establish the School of Social Work at the West University of Timisoara.
1993•Develops a domestic adoption program and a volunteer program.
1993•Provides social services to medical institutions in Timisoara.
1997 •Provides comprehensive child protection and social services in three counties and develops a foster care program.
2000 -
2002 •Collaborates with the Romanian government in writing national standards for foster care, adoption, and life skills services.
2003 •Receives “Best Practice Models Awards” from the National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption for its domestic adoption services and services for children with special needs.
2004 •Implements a life skills training and mentoring program for youth in placement centers.
2004 •Launches a foster care program for special needs children.
2004 •Begins adoption training and technical assistance program in ten counties and launches the first Resource Center for NGOs in Iasi.
2007 •Develops education projects “Benefits of Romania’s Integration in the European Union” in Iasi and Timisoara.

To care for approximately 2,200 people, Bethany needs to raise $235 per person. With $518,000, Bethany will see that:
• 421 children receive Bethany services through reunification, foster support, post-adoption support, life skills training, and sponsorship.
• 174 volunteers are recruited to assist with Bethany’s programs.
• 195 local NGOs receive consultation, information, promotional services, and operational support.
• 350 institutionalized children and 1,000 college students increase their awareness about Romania’s integration in the European Union.
• 275 professionals and students receive training and technical assistance about various social work topics.