Mission and values
Brief history of the Association
We launched “The Social Incubator” Association in April 2014 and we knew, since then, that it would be an important milestone for each of us. Five friends, professionals from different fields (business consulting, entrepreneurship and banking) started the Incubator that we know today and that we make more professional with each new day.
But what is the reason we chose to work together? The answer is simple and intuitive. We were united by similar visions in the area of social responsibility and that led us to choose a common path, in which to (re)build in small, but committed steps, a safe framework for the development of vulnerable young people in Romania. Each of us already had extensive experience in volunteering, thousands of hours in which we tried to help especially young people from the foster system.
We set out from the very beginning to contribute to increasing the chances of social and professional integration of vulnerable young people in our country. The experience of each of us with NGOs has shown us that their needs are much more complex than it might seem at first glance, and that without individual and long-term support, real and sustainable change will not be possible.
In addition, the public education system in Romania needs dedicated partners, experts in various fields, who are dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people in the long term. We intervene through a series of complementary and alternative concepts, aimed at increasing the absorption of institutionalized young people on the Romanian labor market.
Our actions within the Incubator represent, since 2014, the joint effort of a team that includes psychologists, vocational counselors, trainers, mentors, ambassadors of the Association and volunteers. We work together in support of vulnerable young people, on the way to self-knowledge and finding a vocation.
Since the first year of activity, we have created the main program of the organization. Supporting young people who have left or are about to leave the child protection system (16-26 years) has become the main focus for each member of The Social Incubator.
At The Social Incubator we emphasize the importance of the transition from institutionalized life to adult life. Only real skills ensure independence for young people, and the programs we run work on their efficiency and empowerment.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Our Vision – We want every young person in Romania to have real opportunities to build their own adult life.
Our Mission – Together with community members, we provide learning experiences, development opportunities, and labor market integration through solutions tailored to the needs of young people at risk.
Our Values:
Creativity
For us, creativity is a way of working that shapes the learning experiences the young people go through in our projects. It also shows in the ideas we propose to our partners to help us achieve our goals together. We find solutions to everyday challenges. We know that only through creativity we can become an association that innovates solutions adapted to today’s youth.
Care
The nurturing trait all families have when raising their children is naturally embraced by our association. We direct care towards the young people in our projects as well as toward our growing team. When it comes to partners, care takes the form of respect, which we consider essential in our relationships with those who contribute to our mission.
Perseverance
Giving up is not in our vocabulary. Even if sometimes we take two steps back and one step forward with difficulty, we never abandon our goals. Our work is built on a solid foundation developed over time, motivating us to keep moving forward and never give up.
Integrity
This means transparency and honesty towards young people, collaborators, and the public. We take responsibility for our decisions and actions. We are consistent and respect our principles and rules.
Joy
Everything we do brings us great joy. Even during the biggest challenges we face, we make time to enjoy moments together. We believe joy springs from kindness. And how else could we do things?
Balance
Over time, we’ve learned that the best way to get things done is by balancing energy with calm, action with reflection. A balanced approach to situations, analyzing implications, and evaluating from every angle helps us stay focused on our commitment to change.
The methods we work with that have proven effective in our first Incubator years
· Vocational and psychological counseling;
· Non-formal education;
· Facilitation of internships;
· Organization of thematic workshops;
· Organization of exploratory visits;
· Mentoring;
· Tutoring;
· Support for finding a paid job (from partner companies or from Retuș Art, the tailoring workshop – social economy enterprise of The Social Incubator)
The figures of the Incubator
The reality in Romania is not very encouraging, but this motivates us to do even more good deeds for vulnerable young people in Romania, especially in the context of the global pandemic. The extensive risks deriving from marginalization bring us a series of serious problems of the whole society:
· Vulnerable young people end up on the streets;
· Vulnerable young people become victims of drug trafficking and/or human trafficking;
From here, a series of problems arise that are translated into the annual statistics presented by the authorities;
• Approximately 3,500 young people leave the child protection system every year, unprepared for independent life;
• Only 1 in 40 young people who leave the child protection system are employed with legal forms;
• Romania is the first in the European Union in terms of the number of trafficked persons.
Challenging these numbers and dramatic realities is an important impetus for us. We remain optimistic and motivated to make a difference for these vulnerable young people. From 2014 until now, we have collected many stories with happy endings, but also numbers that make us proud and hold us accountable.