News
In 2022 we started our partnership with a grantee Vilnius Social Club when it needed support to continue the activities benefiting around 100 young people. For the last 10 years, the organization has offered educational and social support through sports, public work, and the teenager day club to children and youth who experience various difficulties. The Club is an important part of our grantee community because it represents some of the focus areas of the Foundation’s philanthropic work – youth inclusion and empowerment.
We believe that offering one’s time and resources to help others propels philanthropic deeds. Therefore we are proud of all the volunteers who have worked with the Vilnius Social Club, helped out with numerous activities, and mentored youth.
Currently, 16 people are part of the organization’s volunteer team, and the work with youth has given thema new perspective toward philanthropy as well as the opportunity to understand the young people better. Some of the volunteers agreed to share what working at the Club means to them.
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“The feeling that you have the opportunity to contribute to creating positive changes in young people’s lives is really rewarding”, Neringa, who has been volunteering at the organization for four months, says.
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“Every time I come in with an idea of how the day will go, it often goes in an entirely different direction. But that is a very good experience that always motivates me to be more flexible and leave my comfort zone which sometimes might hinder improvement,” Ieva Š, who has been a volunteer for a year, shares.
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“When you can form a connection with young people, when you see that they feel comfortable and secure, you feel the biggest gratification,” Ludvig, who has been volunteering at the Club for five months, says.
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“Volunteering is usually presented as helping others. But probably we help ourselves the most to grow, know more, and feel needed,” Ieva G., who has been helping out the Club for over one year, believes.
We are also grateful to Cedric Raffier, director and founder of the organization, for making a significant impact in young people’s lives and helping them to create a better future.