Just like our previous article, the treatise below is more detailed and lengthy than usual. Written by Jana Kolarikova, HelpMate’s program director and manager, it is a deep dive into HelpMate’s rationale and its reason for being. It’s a fascinating read for all those who want to understand the initiative better and why it is so needed. Jana deeply cares about the impact the program has and she is intrinsically involved in shaping its future. So, if you are interested in finding out more about HelpMate and what makes Jana tick – read on! There’s nothing better than to hear it „from the horse’s mouth“, so to speak!
The work of caregivers in children’s homes is demanding, requiring tremendous emotional resilience. Every day, they stand beside children who need safety, stability, trust, and understanding. Children who carry experiences that deeply shape how they see the world – and themselves. And it is the caregivers who, day after day, inspire them to claim their place in life.
Chance 4 Children, an organization that has been working with children’s homes since 1996, sees this reality up close. Years of hands-on experience have revealed a fundamental truth: if we want to change children’s lives, we must first take care of those who are closest to them – their caregivers! HelpMate helps to develop their skills and emotional well-being, supports them in their challenging daily work and surrounds them with a community of like-minded people who share the same mission.
Helpmate as a Safe Space for Growth
Out of these needs, Helpmate was born in November 2021 – a modern educational program that is far more than a set of courses. It is, above all, a safe space for growth, sharing, and strengthening inner confidence. Helpmate gives caregivers tools they can apply in their work immediately, while also offering something that is often missing in the world of caregiving: a moment to pause, understand their own emotions, and give them the reassurance that they are not alone.
Over the past three years, 37 organizations have joined the program and 297 caregivers from across the country have taken part. Since each caregiver influences the lives of at least six children, the impact of Helpmate reaches far beyond the classroom – touching the everyday lives of over 1,800 children across the country.Together, caregivers have watched 7,800 lessons, completed hundreds of assignments, and earned nearly 600 certificates for completed courses.The program’s average rating is 1.3 out of 5 (with 1 being the best) — a strong confirmation for us that Helpmate truly meets caregivers’ needs and delivers meaningful support.
Helpmate’s very first lesson, titled “You Come First”, focuses on the importance of caring for oneself before one can fully support a child. It teaches caregivers how to handle stress, recognize their own limits, consciously work with their energy, and understand that good care for children begins with good care for the caregiver. One participant described her experience this way: “What I valued most was that I finally stopped and realized how much I carry. And that I don’t have to carry it alone.”
Courses Inspired by Real Situations in Children’s Homes
Each year of Helpmate builds on real situations that caregivers face daily. The first year focuses on emotional regulation and managing challenging moments – such as anger, lying, bullying or disappointment. The courses include practical scenarios, short videos, interactive exercises, and reflective questions that help caregivers transfer new insights directly into everyday interactions with children.
The second year goes deeper into the long-term development of children. Caregivers learn how to discover children’s strengths, how to communicate in ways that avoid cycles of reproach or resistance, and how to support healthy self-esteem even in difficult circumstances. The program also focuses on time management – a skill that helps children navigate school, responsibilities and free time without chaos or being overwhelmed.
A New Third Year: Helpmate in the Digital World
The year 2025, the third iteration of HelpMate, took the initiative as a major step forward by stepping into the digital age! The new modules were created in response to the digital reality in which today’s children are growing up. Courses such as DigiBrain or DigiPicture explore how children perceive themselves through social media, how they behave online, what puts them at risk, and how to guide them through the digital world safely and thoughtfully. The Digital Citizen course offers a comprehensive view of how digital tools can support not only caregivers in their work, but especially the children in their care.
The third year also includes the important topics of cyberbullying and online communication – issues that today influence children’s emotional lives just as strongly as their offline experiences.
Microlearning: Little Time, Big Impact
Helpmate is built on the principle of microlearning – short, easy-to-understand lessons that don’t overwhelm yet make a meaningful impact. Caregivers learn at their own pace, usually just 20 to 30 minutes per week.
In addition to its content, Helpmate provides professional support from psychologists and coaches, regular online meetings, and a growing community that serves as a safe space for sharing experiences. Caregivers appreciate having a place to ask questions and return to what matters to them. As one participant shared: “The online meetings were such a relief. I realized that what we struggle with in our home, others do too.”
With Helpmate, they are no longer alone.
Preventing Burnout and strengthening Teams
Helpmate is not just an educational program. It is also a preventive tool against burnout and a stabilizing pillar for teams working in emotionally demanding environments. Caregivers gain not only new skills but also the confidence that they have a place to seek support, ask questions, and reflect on their practice. For directors of children’s homes, Helpmate brings a clear structure, monitoring of progress, and effortless integration into the home’s yearly plan.
When We Support Caregivers, We Transform Children’s Lives
Sometimes it’s the small moments that change the entire story of a child. One patient sentence that breaks the silence. One reaction that brings understanding instead of conflict. One evening when a child believes – for the very first time – that they are not alone.
It is in these moments that Helpmate is present – quietly, but unmistakably – as the support behind caregivers whose daily responsibility stretches far beyond their job description.
Helpmate doesn’t aim to turn caregivers into perfect superheroes. It exists to give them strength, understanding, and support on a path that is both beautiful and demanding. To reinforce their sense of purpose. And to remind them that when they grow, the children in their care grow with them.
Because when we support those who support children, we don’t just change their present. We shape their tomorrows. And in many cases, their entire lives.
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