Barka Support Centre in Berlin
(Completed)
The Project
In 2018, the Barka Foundation in Poland received funding from the Polish Senate for a five-month pilot project – the “Barka Support Center” in Berlin – which ran from August to December 2018.
The initiative arose from an invitation by the Polish Embassy in Berlin, which approached Barka in response to the growing need for support among Polish citizens.
The goal was to reach and assist homeless Polish citizens in acute crisis situations on the streets of Berlin.
Many individuals found a way out of homelessness, partly through outreach street work and referrals to existing support services in Berlin, and partly through personalised return counselling and guidance in building new prospects in their home country.
Some returnees chose to settle in one of Barka’s own communities in Poland, beginning a new life within a supportive, abstinent community.
Results in Berlin: 15 August – 31 December 2018
Key Results at a Glance
252
Individuals
Initial Contacts
20
Individuals
Support for Reintegration in Poland
12
Individuals
Barka’s Rehabilitation Programmes
7
Individuals
Restoration of Family Connections
6
Individuals
Addiction Therapy (Completed)
3
Individuals
Labour Market Integration
1
Individual
Medical Support (Psychiatric Hospital)
1
Individual
Job Search Support (Employment Secured in Flensburg)
1
Individual
Application for Pension in Poland
Feedback from the Berlin Senate, partner organisations in Berlin, and social housing services was positive.
Here you can access media coverage of the pilot project.
Despite its success, the “Barka Support Centre” did not receive follow-up funding.
In the current project, “Barka’s One-Stop-Shop,” proven methods are being applied – foremost among them the Barka model, which involves direct outreach by a tandem team consisting of a peer expert (Leader) and a social worker.