Leaving a children’s home and stepping into independent life is one of the most challenging milestones in a young person’s journey. Suddenly, they find themselves standing on their own two feet, often without a safety net or the chance to practice adulthood “on trial.” That is why our established platform Rise up, operating under the wings of Chance4children (C4C), is expanding its reach and opening its next community center at Sladovna Písek.
The new center will serve as our proven “training ground for adulthood.” It provides neutral ground and a safe space where young adults leaving institutional care can take a break from everyday responsibilities, get advice from people who truly aim to understand them, and share their joys and worries together. In addition to a safe haven, the platform offers them opportunities to participate in international programs (such as ERASMUS) and build valuable connections for the future.
We spiced up the grand opening of the new location with a visit to the interactive exhibition “Jamka” (The Hole) right inside Sladovna. The mini-golf game provided a fitting parallel to the reality our youth face—while they might not have parents behind them to help pull a stuck ball out of the mud, it is simply better to play as a community. When things don’t go as planned, friends at the center are there to support them and advise them on how to move forward, rather than trying to break through walls alone.
Starting in September, the center in Písek will move to a regular schedule of bi-weekly meetings, with continuous support available at all times via our community WhatsApp group.
A huge thank you goes to Sladovna Písek for allowing our community center to use their inspiring spaces and for supporting us on this new journey.
