Ocalenie Foundation
Ocalenie Foundation helps refugees and migrants build a new life in Poland.
Overview of the Organization
The Ocalenie Foundation is committed to creating a multicultural, open society rooted in human rights. For 23 years, we have supported migrants and refugees in Poland, helping them build new lives and achieve independence. Our efforts are focused on offering comprehensive assistance to promote the well-being and integration of those we serve. All of our programs and services are extensive and provided entirely free of charge.
The Main Goals of the Ocalenie Foundation are:
- Providing support and integration services for foreigners, Poles, and those of Polish origin in or coming to Poland.
- Promoting an open society through intercultural dialogue, education on diverse cultures, and fighting prejudice.
- Encouraging voluntary work and social engagement.
- Supporting the development of social integration systems, especially for refugees and immigrants.
Target Groups
The Foundation directs its activities to migrants and refugees that are in Poland.
Key Services
The Help Centre for Foreigners (CPC) is an initiative by the Ocalenie Foundation, active since 2004. It addresses the current needs of migrants and refugees by providing a comprehensive range of support services. Upon their first visit, clients are welcomed by a cultural mentor who has migration experience and speaks their language. After assessing the individual's needs, they are referred to the appropriate specialized services, which include legal assistance, psychological support, career counseling, and material aid. In 2023, 3,610 people received help from the Help Center for Foreigners, with the majority (55.8%) coming from Ukraine.
Forms of support:
Foreigners at the CPC can access a variety of services, including:
Mentoring support: This includes assessing the client's needs, registering them in the database, providing information about available assistance, and helping with everyday challenges like finding housing. If needed, clients are referred for further specialized help such as legal, psychological, or professional consulting
- Legal support: Clients can receive legal advice from a team specializing in migration and asylum law. This includes guidance on residency and work permits in Poland, refugee processes, deportation proceedings, consular matters, and more.
- Psychological and psychotherapeutic support for adults, children, and adolescents.
- Career support: Assistance is provided for professional development, career changes, educational opportunities, creating application documents (CVs, cover letters), and working with employers.
Apart from the core activities, there are also some important projects carried out by the Foundation:
Polish Language Courses
We have been offering Polish language lessons since 2018. Last year we held four open enrollments for courses in Warsaw, with participants from 71 countries attending throughout four trimesters. The majority came from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Afghanistan, and Turkey. Additionally, we organized two enrollments for courses in Łódź, where 55 people from 14 countries participated over two trimesters, mostly from Ukraine and Belarus, but also from Jordan, Guinea, Brazil, and Armenia. The classes were led by a team of five instructors.
Integration and Housing Support Programmes
- Welcome Home Program
This program supports families at risk of homelessness, offering help with finding rental accommodation and rent subsidies.
- Refugees Welcome Poland (RWP)
This program connects refugees with Polish families who offer spare rooms.
Support for Children and Youth "Knowledge to the Max"
The program helps refugee children, especially those facing learning challenges or at risk of dropping out. The average yearly number of students receiving support is approximately 100.. Along with academic assistance, participants take part in workshops, cultural outings, and camps. Each child can apply for a scholarship that covers educational expenses, including school fees (such as parents' council fees, insurance, lunches, trips, and textbooks). In 2023, 36 students received these scholarships.
Day Care Centers
Currently we operate two day care centers in Warsa.. The children receive academic help, emotional support, and take part in various activities such as excursions, sports, dance, and chess. We also organize summer camps for children.
Communication
The Foundation communicates through its website, social media platforms, and multilingual publications.
Inclusion and Diversity
The Foundation ensures equal access to its services for all foreign nationals and implements anti-discrimination training for its staff. Feedback mechanisms are in place to address any discriminatory behavior.
Conclusion
The Ocalenie Foundation remains committed to supporting migrants, refugees, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment through a wide range of programs and services.
Fundraisers
Official fundraiser
From Trauma to Hope: Help Refugees Recover
War, persecution, and displacement destroy lives, leaving deep psychological scars and immense uncertainty. But with the right support, war survivors can heal, rebuild, and find hope again. At Ocalenie Foundation, we provide free therapy, legal aid, and integration services to war survivors to help them navigate their new reality and reclaim their dignity. 🚨 This critical support is now at risk. Since 2020, we have relied on funding from the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture (UNVFVT) to provide specialized care for survivors of war and persecution. However, due to financial constraints, this year funding has been discontinued, putting thousands of vulnerable individuals at risk of losing access to life-saving psychological and legal assistance . Poland shelters 1.5 million Ukrainians who fled Russia’s 2022 invasion, many hoping to rebuild their lives despite shrinking aid and difficult integration . At the same time, refugees from Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia and many more countries seek safety, along with those escaping political persecution in Belarus and Russia . Yet, asylum seekers—especially torture survivors—face overwhelming legal, psychological, and social barriers with barely any support . Without urgent intervention, many will be left without the care they desperately need. At Ocalenie Foundation, we are committed to filling this gap by providing them with the assistance they need. How Does Your Donation Help? 💙It provides emergency psychological care for trauma survivors💙It covers therapy sessions for individuals with PTSD crisis💙It offers legal counseling to war survivors seeking help💙It supports long-term recovery for torture victims Last year alone, we provided:✔ 4,033 psychological and psychotherapeutic consultations (including 917 for children/youth) to 354 beneficiaries from 41 countries ✔ 138 psychiatric consultations for 61 individuals (43 women, 18 men, 14 children)✔ Legal assistance and humanitarian support for asylum seekers at Poland’s Belarusian border and Ukrainian refugees Our psychological team specializes in CBT, psychodynamic, Ericksonian, Gestalt, and solution-focused therapy , offering care in Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, English, French, Farsi, Tajik, and Arabic . Many of our clients struggle with CPTSD, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders . The Cost of Care Maintaining this essential work requires sustained funding:📌 Adult psychiatric care: $13,800 per year (13 hrs/month)📌 Child psychiatric care: $2,100 per year (2 hrs/month)📌 Interpreter services: $2,500 per year (5 hrs/month) Without intervention, many survivors will be left without the mental health support, legal protection, and social assistance they desperately need. Be Part of Their Journey to Recovery Every dollar you give helps a survivor take another step toward healing and stability. Your support reduces hospitalization rates, lowers rehabilitation costs, and increases the chances of successful integration into Polish society. Together, we can ensure that no vulnerable person is left without help. Donate today and be a lifeline for those who need it most. 🔹 Give now. 🔹 Share this campaign to spread awareness. Hope starts with you. 💙
- Raised
- $0
- Goal
- $10,000
Official fundraiser
We help migrants and refugees build life in Poland
Daycare Centers for Migrant Children in Poland Description The Ocalenie Foundation has been a prominent player in the Polish NGO sector for over 20 years, consistently providing support to migrants and refugees in nearly every aspect of their lives. This includes assisting with basic interactions with authorities, addressing housing challenges, offering legal, career, and psychological counseling, as well as providing Polish language courses and tutoring for children. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 dramatically reshaped the migration landscape in Poland. With funding from international NGOs and EU government sources, Ocalenie significantly expanded its operations to meet the growing needs of Ukrainians fleeing war. Challenge Even though migrants in Poland continue to face urgent needs, not only for integration but also for broader support, major donors tend to pull back after the initial two years of a conflict. This financial pressure poses a serious risk to one crucial aspect of the Foundation’s work - the daycare centers for migrant children. Children, particularly those from Ukraine, face significant challenges such as sudden displacement from their homes, families, and communities, instability, feelings of alienation, stress, language barriers, limited school integration, financial struggles, inadequate housing, and digital exclusion. In this context, providing day care is essential for their overall development and integration. Our Response to the Challenge Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ocalenie Foundation launched several initiatives to protect and support children fleeing the war. Currently, our intervention efforts focus on temporary day care centers in Warsaw, which serve both educational and integration purposes. These centers offer a space where children can play, develop skills, and explore their interests while receiving support in Polish language learning. Key features of the Foundation’s day care centers include: Multilingual staff and volunteers Polish language classes (10 hours per week, divided into age groups) Artistic workshops (5 hours per week) Individual homework assistance Psychological and speech therapy for children and families Emotional development programs Additional activities such as outings, half-day camps, and themed events These centers provide a safe space for learning, growth, and enjoyment, allowing children to develop socially, emotionally, and educationally. For parents, they offer essential childcare support, enabling them to pursue work or rest. By supporting the child, we often get to know the entire family, usually the mother. Every family’s story is unique and complex, with each child having different needs. Our caregivers frequently encounter situations where mothers bring their children to daycare, and the children are reluctant to stay. In such cases, we encourage mothers to take advantage of our comprehensive range of services—including psychological, legal, and language support—to help both themselves and their children adjust to the new situation. Current Situation Due to recent financial challenges, we have been forced to scale back some operations, leaving just one daycare center in Warsaw, which has been running since 2022. In the second half of the year, we plan to open a new center in Warsaw and introduce additional educational programs for younger children in Łódź. Summary Daycare centers for migrant and refugee children in Poland play a vital role in their education and integration, while also providing peace of mind for parents. These centers offer a safe, supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Despite the financial pressures, the Ocalenie Foundation remains committed to ensuring that these services continue in the long term, offering crucial support to migrant children and their families.
- Raised
- $10,000
- Next milestone
- $15,000
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