A family for life

FARA Foundation provides residential care in protected homes and family-style care centers for 20 young adults with disabilities.

“The only true disability in life is not age, illness, or any form of impairment. The only real disability is the inability to feel love for others.”

In this section

Context

The A Family for Life program is designed to implement legal provisions for protecting and promoting the rights of people with disabilities (Law no. 448/2006, updated in 2020). People with disabilities are those whose access to equal opportunities in society is hindered or entirely blocked by a social environment that does not accommodate their physical, sensory, psychological, mental, and/or associated impairments. These individuals require protective measures to support their integration and social inclusion.

Resources

Each resource, carefully developed by FARA Foundation specialists and beneficiaries, with the support of expert collaborators, serves a specific purpose: offering information, practical solutions, and activity ideas for children, young adults, and everyone involved in the care and support of people with disabilities.

History

St. Raphael Center, Popești-Leordeni opens

Maximum capacity: 14 places

Program team: 6 staff members

Beneficiaries: 8 young adults with intellectual disabilities

St. Michael Center, Suceava opens

Maximum capacity: 14 places

Program team: 6 staff members

Beneficiaries: 8 young adults with intellectual disabilities

Elisabeta House, Suceava opens

Maximum capacity: 8 places

Program team: 7 staff members

Beneficiaries: 8 young adults with intellectual and/or associated disabilities

St. Joseph and St. Mary Centers, Suceava opens

Combined capacity (two homes): 18 places

Program team (two homes): 12 staff members

Beneficiaries: 18 young adults with intellectual and/or associated disabilities

St. Joseph Center closes to streamline services by transferring residents to St. Mary House

Upgrades to increase capacity and improve living conditions at Elisabeta House and St. Mary House

Combined capacity (two homes): 20 places

Program team (two homes): 15 staff members

Beneficiaries: 20 young adults with intellectual and/or associated disabilities

Program Description

A Family for Life

This is a residential program implemented in two communities in Suceava County (Cacica and Vadul Moldovei), through two protected homes—St. Mary House and Elisabeta House—serving 20 young adults who come from institutional care and have experienced traumatic childhoods, often spent entirely within the special protection system. The program offers these young adults with disabilities the opportunity to live in a family-like environment, participate in activities focused on personal development, and build life skills for independent living within the community.

Continuity

A Family for Life ensures continuity of care through a diverse range of services that nurture creativity and individual potential, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.

Responsibility

The activities we carry out together—beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, and community members foster personal responsibility, a love of learning, Christian moral values, compassion, trust, and a strong sense of belonging, safety, and hope for the future.

Purpose

To uphold the right of people with disabilities to social protection by providing development opportunities in protected homes characterized by a safe, inclusive, engaging, and friendly environment. These homes promote family values and community belonging, contributing to improved quality of life, autonomy, dignity, decision-making, personal responsibility, and social inclusion.

Target Group

Our beneficiaries are young adults with disabilities who come from the public child protection system. They are socially disadvantaged, either temporarily or permanently separated from their biological families, or their families are unwilling or unable to provide care. Their disabilities are officially documented through a certificate of classification.

Many of our young adults were diagnosed with severe conditions at birth, abandoned in hospitals, and later placed in residential institutions. Like thousands of children in similar situations, their families were unable to meet their specific needs and chose not to take responsibility for their upbringing. For most of them, “home” was just a dream until the age of 18, marked by a long series of transfers between institutions. Many were victims of neglect and abuse due to their disabilities.

A Decade. 36 Lives Transformed.

Licensed Services

What Makes Us Unique

This program is built on the strong belief that we are all equal and deserve a dignified life. Small acts done with love and perseverance can change lives.

Continuity. Family. Blessing.

All beneficiaries of our protected homes have been under the care of FARA Foundation for over a decade, since their childhood in state institutions. Over the years, they have lived in the same group (with other young adults and care staff) in a family-like setting that has provided them with stability, affection, empathy, love, safety, and a nurturing environment for reaching their full potential. Today, they are adults with disabilities who, despite a difficult institutional path, live normal lives in the community. The home provided by FARA became the first place where they experienced family, felt loved, valued, and appreciated. The joy we share—staff and young adults alike—the bonds and emotions that have grown and strengthened over the years, through good times and bad, are our greatest achievements. Together, we’ve grown, shared joys and sorrows, and held on to the belief that the future can be built with light and hope for these young adults.

Team. Perseverance. Collaboration.

We are proud of our strong, united teams. In the most challenging moments—difficult days for our young adults, crisis situations, the pandemic—the FARA family demonstrated professionalism, balance, perseverance, resilience, and a proactive, creative spirit. The team adapted, mobilized, and exceeded expectations. Each member responded impeccably to the challenges and uncertainties, even when complex interventions and high-level decisions were needed. We believe that true harmony is only possible when we are accepted and integrated into the communities we live in. That’s why, through partnerships with local institutions, other NGOs, and companies, we are building a supportive and inclusive community for adults with disabilities.

Empowerment. Involvement. The Voice of Young Adults

We believe in FAMILY as the place where love comes to life. Our young adults are grateful that FARA offers them a family for life. They acknowledge their limitations and fears about taking full control of their lives. Our care approach emphasizes the uniqueness of everyone. Living spaces are tailored to their personalities and passions, and care plans are personalized. Activities are designed to uncover and support each person’s immense potential. Life is a celebration only when shared with family—this is reflected in how we value each young adult. Every birthday is celebrated with a personalized party and long-awaited gifts. All memories are preserved in personalized photo albums.

Basic Services Package

Daily Living

Accommodation, nutritious meals, clothing, 24/7 supervision

Homes located within the community

Access to public transportation

Minimum standards of comfort, safety, and hygiene

Pleasant, family-like atmosphere

Healthy, home-cooked meals prepared with the involvement of beneficiaries

Clean, personalized bedrooms adapted to individual needs

Access to social rooms, yard, and shared spaces

Access to kitchen, pantry, bathrooms, and other facilities

Personalized, clean, well-maintained, and season-appropriate clothing

Health Support

Registered with a family doctor

Access to community-based healthcare services

Supervised medical treatment

Health education services

Annual health assessments

Health monitoring records

Informed consent from the beneficiary/legal representative for exceptional care or treatment

Information and Counseling

Assistance with obtaining identity documents

Promotion of rights and responsibilities

Maintaining relationships with family, friends, etc.

Access to assistive technologies and accessibility tools

Information on services from medical offices, rehabilitation programs, spa treatments, etc.

Transportation services (train/bus tickets)

Alternative/complementary services offered by other NGOs

Guidance for job searching and maintaining employment

Raising employer awareness about the right to work, the potential of people with disabilities, and available employment incentives

Support networks (including online) made up of mentors or individuals in similar life situations

Emotional Balance and Cognitive Stimulation

Developing appropriate social behavior

Enhancing attention and positive thinking

Emotional regulation
Self-awareness

Preventing social isolation and depression

Self-discovery and personal development

Participation in individualized educational activities

Small group activities

Supporting relationship-building

Art therapy

Basic learning elements: copying, learning through action or symbolic play, repetition, reading and writing exercises, etc.

Independent Living Skills

Assigning clear, time-appropriate individual tasks

Completing multiple tasks for organization and coordination

Daily planning routines

Time management exercises

Stress/conflict/emergency/crisis management exercises

Self-care: hygiene, nutrition, clothing, and health

Home management: cooking, cleaning, waste management, organizing clothing

Micro-housekeeping

Financial education

Communication skills development

Mobility skills development

Occupational therapy/ergotherapy activities

Social Involvement and Advocacy

Environmental protection actions

Participation in sports and cultural activities in the community

Recreational and leisure activities

Handicrafts, outings, and visits

Community awareness and education to promote and respect the rights of adults with disabilities

Community integration of beneficiaries

Developing local support networks for families caring for adults with disabilities

5 Steps in the Protection Process

Admission Requirements

Admission decision
Identification documents (birth certificate, ID card, etc.)
Medical documents (vaccination records, disability certificate, health certificate, epidemiological clearance, lab results, medical history, etc.)
Psycho-social documents (assessments, reports, social inquiry, photographs)

Infrastructure and Logistics

The program operates in spaces that support normal development and are adapted to the types of services provided, in compliance with legal standards:

Personalized bedrooms
Shared spaces: kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms
Shared spaces: kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms
Occupational workshops
Office and administrative spaces
Gazebo for relaxation and socializing
Garden, orchard, and a designated area for raising poultry

Working Model

Cacica and Vadu Moldovei

The program runs in two locations in Suceava County, offering a lifelong family environment for 20 young adults with disabilities who grew up in institutions. The working model focuses on recognizing each young person’s potential and tailoring the service package to their level of development and specific disabilities.

Elisabeta Protected Home and Care Center

St. Mary Protected Home and Care Center

Holistic and Individualized Intervention

The intervention addresses multiple needs and varying levels of development. Key factors contributing to increased resilience include emotional and social safety, shelter, nutrition, and living conditions—all integral to the program model.

Service packages include a mix of activities offered free of charge through funds raised by FARA Foundation, supplemented by financial contributions from public authorities through service contracts.

Innovation and Creativity

Each day’s activities are shaped by the emotional state, needs, and desires of each beneficiary. Every team member knows the young adults personally and, with passion and patience, offers the attention, support, and love they need and can receive. Activities are designed to meet the full range of needs identified through initial and ongoing assessments, and are carried out daily, both individually and in groups.

Teams consist of specialized care and support staff, including:

Case managers, Creative arts workers, Art therapists, Psychologists, Administrative personnel. All activities are carried out in line with the organization’s strategy, annual plans, legal standards for protected homes, and the program’s operational procedures manual.

Partners

Local and national public authorities

Medical practices (family doctors, specialists)

Local community members, including professional volunteers

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Private sector partners through social responsibility initiatives

Impact

Permanent housing in a safe, harmonious, and family-like environment, Promotion of a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, Involvement in home management activities, Personalized services tailored to individual needs

young adults

have found a family for life

young adults

have started their own families

young adults

are living independently

young adults

have transitioned to specialized services

Success Stories

Taking Life into My Own Hands

“I lived with FARA Foundation since I was 4 years old. I remember the first time I entered St. Nicholas House—it felt like sunlight. I got along well with everyone: both the other children and the educators who took great care of me. After finishing vocational school, I moved to St. Joseph Protected Home and Care Center. There, I was helped to find a job. I worked for almost a year at a housing association. In 2016, I met a boy who later became my husband. Since then, we’ve built a family together with our child. Our wedding was beautiful, and the ladies from FARA were there with me.”

„It’s hard for us to be on our own because of our disabilities and the challenges we face. The people here help me calm down, overcome fear and panic, and get through difficult moments.”

The Safety of Home

“Since COVID started, we’ve learned what social distancing means, but the ladies who care for us stayed with us the whole time—we never felt alone.”

“I want to support FARA Foundation with my drawings and help as many children as possible.”

Professional Fulfillment

“I believe my job is not only to help them grow, but also to become a better person myself—with their help.”

“Everything I do, I do with love, because that’s what our beneficiaries need most to heal from the horrors of abuse. FARA is not just a workplace—it’s a second home, a second family.”

Support Adults with Disabilities

Be their role model, mentor, and friend.