2008 meant a new beginning for the Alaturi de Voi  Romania Foundation thorugh the authorization of the first shelter unit– Util Deco - in Iasi. Since then, we sent the documentation in view of authorizing other two shelter units - Divers Product in Mures and All Design in Constanta.  

WHY SHELTER UNITS?

•  They represent an active form of integration on the labor market of disabled young people, including young people infected with HIV, supporting them throughout the process of their passing from beneficiary to employee.
• For some of the people within the target group, employment in a shelter unit is the only chance for professional integration, due to a low ability to work.
• They have the role to prepare and adapt the beneficiaries employed for the integration on the free labor market (at other workplaces), according to their qualification and abilities.

During 2008, we employed at the shelter units 19 beneficiaries, out of which 13 in Iasi, 3 in Constanta and 3 in Tg. Mures. They learned for the first time what it means to be an employee and to have responsibilities.

The UTIL DECO shelter unit– Iasi
(Authorization for functioning as shelter unit no. 323/18.06.2008):

• Xerox centre;
• Manual book-binding and archiving services;
• Personalized products – calendars, agendas, present bags, etc;
• Arts and crafts decorative objects;
• Manually painted objects;

The UTIL DECO shelter unit– Tg. Mures
(will be authorized):

• Decorative candles;
• Personalized candles;
• Personalized products – calendars, agendas, etc.
• Graphic for promotion materials, cards, business cards, wedding or baptism invitations

The UTIL DECO shelter unit – Constanta
(will be authorized):

• Clothing articles, accessories, tablecloths, bed sheets, carnival costumes;
• Personalized embroideries;
• Graphic for promotion materials, cards, business cards, wedding or baptism invitations;
• Personalized products – calendars, agendas, etc;

Partner: The General Department of Social Assistance and Child Protection, Iasi

Financers:

• The Local Council – the Department of Community Assistance, Iasi
• The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, through the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation
• European Children’s Help Organization, UK

Testimonies of employees at the shelter units:

• “The workplace is a plus, because it teaches us responsibility ", I.M., 19 years
• “We could not have found a job elsewhere because of the disease. Here we are understood, both from the point of view of the diagnosis and from the point of view of making the products, until we are able to make them perfect “, A.A. 19 years
• “The best news I received was when I found out I am employed, because it was a change for the better in the way I was seen“, E.S., years

The products and services offered at the three shelter units can be seen and ordered at www.utildeco.ro