Author: Jolana Skalová –
The first workshop of the year at the Krenovka cultural centre in Žižkov attracted young adults from children’s homes and foster care and their mentors and teachers.
The interest in this year’s first meeting of this community was great among the young people – this is evidenced not only by the large number of participants, who reached the limits of the given space, but also by the fact that they came to Prague from the surrounding area, and some had to make a more complicated journey from more remote parts of northern Bohemia or Moravia. In total, there were 20 children and 6 mentors. Read more about C4C’s Rise Up project here.
The overall theme of the meeting was How to Succeed in a Job Interview and the programme was both educational and entertaining. Guest speakers, psychologist Kateřina Kopečná, HR manager Jaroslava Drábková and musician Richard Vít elaborated on topics ranging from dealing with stress to musical therapy, while C4C’s very own Michal Jírů skilfully brought newly acquired knowledge into context at the end. Consequently, interesting discussions ensued, relationships were strengthened and a feeling of friendship and community emerged.
Afterwards, Krenovka’s unfaltering host, Jakub Morávek, was waiting for everyone with a hot barbecue replete with various delicacies. He comments: “Children from orphanages are wonderful. They are always welcome here; I like to even use them as role models”.
Everyone left the meeting as they were able – some left on Saturday evening, others stayed until Sunday morning. “I enjoyed the meeting tremendously and will definitely come again next time! It would be great if the meeting then would last for more days,” summarized one of the participants and there was broad agreement among all peers.
Jolana Skalová, Rise Up project manager, adds: “A big thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s first meeting. Everyone contributed in their own way to the unique positive and trusting atmosphere during the weekend, where young people felt accepted and some even found the courage to open up and share difficult personal issues. Thank you, we really appreciate the trust! The success of this workshop is a huge motivation and commitment for us, the bar is set high…”.
What’s next? The next meeting is scheduled for May 31, location to be determined. But the focus is already clear, based on the current needs of the members of this community and the pressing issues of housing options and financial literacy. But no one need fear boredom – it wouldn’t be C4C if serious topics weren’t interspersed with relaxation and fun!
