Spring and early summer were a time of intense work for us, laying the foundations for the "Wrocławska Wybrana Rodzina" project. Together with families from Ołbin and Plac Grunwaldzki, we began assessments, workshops, the first social activities, and a team-building trip. This was a time when we got to know each other, built relationships, and began our journey together.
Recruitment and first meetings with families:
During this period, family recruitment for the project continued. Although the process took longer—mainly because we wanted to best tailor the forms of support to the needs of participants—it yielded very positive results.
The project recruitment process lasted from March to April and targeted families in need of strengthened social capital, including a needs assessment. Recruitment was conducted by a designated Recruitment Team. Team members are individuals who work in the local community on a daily basis and are intimately familiar with its specifics and the needs of residents. Recruitment was preceded by the preparation of accessible information materials about the project, as well as application forms and regulations. The materials were published on websites and social media, disseminated by local coalitions, and made available in locations frequently visited by residents, such as clinics, libraries, pharmacies, shops, and Municipal Social Welfare Centers.
A psychologist conducted assessments for eight families, and a facilitator supported the process, understanding the needs and circumstances of each family. This allowed us to plan individual support paths tailored to the families' real-life circumstances and daily challenges.
Trip "Let's get to know each other as unique and exceptional people":
A trip to the Trzy Jeziora Center in Wieleń took place from June 27-29, 2025. Participants in the "Wrocławska Wybrana Rodzina" (Wrocław's Winning Family) project participated in field workshops, thus beginning the implementation of the basic package. The trip included field trips, team-building meetings, workshops, and activities. This approach allowed for the development of relationships with families and the opportunity to learn about their daily lives and relationships. Participants were provided with meals and accommodations.
The trip fostered trust, collaboration, and strengthened family bonds, and served as an important preparatory stage for further project activities. The adults worked with the trainer on communication and relationship building, while the children were provided with safe care and age-appropriate activities. The trip helped us get to know each other and laid an important foundation for further collaboration.
Workshops on improving social competences for children and youth
The children participated in a series of activities that developed social skills, learning to cooperate, build relationships, cope with difficult situations, and develop self-confidence. Each child had the opportunity to participate in a total of 60 hours of activities.
During the workshops, children:
- get to know themselves and their emotions better,
- learned to get along with their peers,
- they talked about what was difficult,
- built self-confidence and discovered their talents,
- practiced how to say „no” and protect their boundaries,
- learned to resolve conflicts calmly and respect others.
The classes were full of fun, conversations, team games, and exercises in pairs and groups. It was a time when the children felt important, noticed, and treated with kindness.
The aim of the workshops was to develop children's interpersonal skills to improve their functioning in social situations by changing unacceptable behaviors into socially acceptable ones. The skills acquired during the workshops will help children develop freely, better cope with situations at school and at home, realistically assess themselves, establish positive relationships with peers, and collaborate effectively in groups.
Start of psychological support:
The first psychologist sessions and individual consultations began in July. The pace and scope of meetings were tailored to the families' capabilities and needs. This marks the beginning of an important element of the project, which we will develop further in the coming months.
Building a Local Support System:
The facilitator met with families and planned the first neighborhood activities with them. We also purchased materials needed to implement local initiatives to support residents' activities and ideas from the outset. In parallel, we continued networking with institutions – through meetings with Municipal Social Welfare Centers (MOPS), schools, and local partners, we strengthened cooperation for the benefit of project participants.
Promotion and information to the community:
It was also a time of intense communication (especially within the estate and online), thanks to which residents of the three estates (Plac Grunwaldzki, Ołbin, and Przedmieście Oławskie) could learn about the project's objectives and its values. We wanted the Wrocławska Wybrana Rodzina (Wrocław Win) project to be a visible and well-understood initiative.
Thank you for starting together!
May, June, and July were a period of building foundations: getting to know each other, identifying needs, strengthening cooperation, and developing our first joint activities. We thank the families for their openness and commitment, and our partners and specialists for their contribution and energy. The next stages of the project lie ahead – and there's so much good we can do together!
Project "„Wrocław's Winning Family” is organized by the Commune Wroclaw, implemented by Municipal Social Welfare Center, and in housing estates supported by experienced non-governmental organizations (Foundation Nice Stories, Stowarzyszenie Żółty Parasol i Critical Education Association).
The Wrocławska Wygrana Rodzina project is co-financed by the European Union under the European Funds for Social Development 2021-2027 program. #FunduszeEU #FunduszeEuropejskie
