WHO ARE WE?

Centre for children, youth and family Velika Gorica is the first institution of its kind in Croatia. It was founded by the local community. Centre was established in 2003., and the intention was to unite and coordinate different programs and actions focused on children, youth, potential and actual parents and all family members. A house, which was rented in Kurilovečka 48, provides conditions for both individual and group work, public discussions, workshops and lectures.

Programs are financed by the city of Velika Gorica, Ministry of family, veterans' affairs and intergenerational solidarity and ZagrebCounty.

Working hours are from 8 AM to 9 PM, Fridays from 8 AM to 4 PM.

All programs are free of charge!!

WHO ARE OUR EMPLOYEES?

Four professionals are employed in the Centre: psychologist Sanda Puljiz (as head-master), a social pedagogues Andreja Pravdić and Sandra Matijević and a social worker (as counsellors) Iva Bačurin.

There are also some part-time associates: leaders of workshops and public discussions, lecturers, supervisors, co-counsellors, coordinators of projects, volunteers and students on practical courses.

Education led by employees of the Centre is mandatory for all workshop leaders and their work is being supervised.  

WHO IS OUR TARGET GROUP?

Our programs are tailored for toddlers, primary school children and youth, teenagers, parents and all other family members. Besides these, we also lead programs for professionals who work with children and youth in different areas (education, social welfare, police, justice and health).  

To be able to attend one of our programs, you need to enrol which you can do by calling 6231-734 or by coming personally to the Centre. Office hours for enrolment are every day from 10 AM to 6 PM. Activity groups are divided into terms: first term starts in September, ends in December, second starts February ends May and third starts June ends July. Specific enrolment is needed for each term. Activities take place in our Centre, but they can also be arranged elsewhere (schools, kindergartens). OUR MISSION In order to provide support for children, youth and families, as well as to encourage them to work on improving the quality of life in the community, we at the Velika Gorica Center for Children, Youth and Family  use our experience, expertise, creativity and an open mind in creating a wide variety of new programs. Our mission is being achieved through numerous goals, some of which are: 1. To help our beneficiaries develop necessary life skills

2. To offer opportunities for gaining new skills and knowledge to Centre's beneficiaries

3. To provide support for youth and children with specific difficulties

4. To help our beneficiaries structure their free time, while developing their creativity and specific skills

5. To help the beneficiaries improve their self-concept and self esteem

6. To involve youth designated by the Municipal Court or Municipal Office of State Attorney into individual or group based mandatory counselling

7. To provide continuing professional education, mentoring, individual and group based counselling for our part time associates

8. To encourage the cooperation between the Centre's staff and professionals working with children, youth and families at other institutions and non-governmental organizations.

9. To keep the community informed on the activities of the Centre by developing written materials, presence in electronic media, organizing or taking part in different public events and scientific conferences   

OUR PROGRAMS

Counselling services

Everybody can get counselling - children, youth, parents and whole families. If you want to improve your relationships, communicate more successfully, get to know yourself better or learn more about educational skills, come to our Centre where our professionals are waiting for you.

Educational programs

These are tailored for all age groups. By joining into one of the programs, you can expand your knowledge or acquire new skills about your environment or broader community (on, for example, how to use waste wisely or different and faster ways of learning). Programs are led through workshops, discussions and lectures. So, for example, you can choose to join Group for future pupils, Group for improvement of learning skills, Discussion group for teenagers, but also Discussion group for parents or some other topic from our wide list of educational programs.

Programs for personal growth and development 

They are notably intended for parents who choose to devote some of their free time only to themselves! Here you can learn new parenting skills: how to communicate more successfully, how to know yourself better and become aware of your behaviour patterns and, if wanted, how to change them into more productive ones. Programs for free time structuring

Boredom doesn't live here! Everybody can attend these workshops: children, young and whole families! We have broad offer (Arts and Crafts, Dancing, Jewellery making, Drama group, Hobby art, Woodcraft, Family creative workshop...) and what all of them have in common is socializing, a lot of fun, developing creativity and different skills.

Programs for social skills development 

If you want your child to develop social skills by participating in a group where he can get/give support, learn how to listen and get listened to and have a chance to share his feelings without fear, then you should choose from one of these groups: Warm nest, Playschool, Creative socializing group, Classes for creative class teachers, etc.Your preschool or primary school child will obtain new knowledge and skills through supervised game and expression of creativity.

Professional training for employees, part time associates and volunteers

Before they start working in our Centre, all associates and students volunteers have to pass a program called Workshop about workshop where they learn basics about leading workshops. They need professional support (to obtain quality work) which they get throughout supervisions, consultancy, mentoring and education provided by external supervisors and employees.Lectures and workshops for different professionals working with children and youth also take place in our Centre.