Klaipėda County Men’s Support Center: NGO community impresses with its drive for social change
We invite you to get acquainted with another organization currently studying at the NGO Academy. The motto of the Klaipėda County Men’s Support Center is “It’s easier together, so don’t be alone!”. Center Director Darius Docius and Fausta Tavoraitė shared the Center’s activities, goals and dreams that led them to study at the Academy.
Tell us about the Klaipėda Men’s Support Center. What are your goals and activities?
Darius: Klaipėda County Men’s Support Center is an organization focused on providing assistance and support services to men. We provide psychosocial, emotional and practical assistance to men facing various challenges. The main goal of our organization is to provide support to men who are experiencing crises related to loss, divorce, job or health loss, addictions, identity issues or other personal or social problems.
Fausta: We notice that due to still prevailing stereotypes, it can be more difficult for men to notice their neglected physical and emotional health, to admit to themselves that they need help and to dare to seek it. Therefore, we offer various methods – individual consultations, self-help groups, psycho-educational activities.
What brought you to the Academy?
Darius: First of all, we are here to create a strategic plan for our organization. This is very important to us. At the moment, there are changes taking place in the organization’s activities, so the offer to apply for the NGO Academy “came” to us at the right time and place.
Fausta: Even before starting our studies, we identified the challenges we want to address – greater financial stability of the organization, clarification of identity and development of a social business direction. We are working in this direction.
What have you learned so far?
Darius: We have clarified the values of the organization, created a strategy for the next 3 years and deepened our understanding of project thinking.
What surprised or inspired you?
Fausta: What surprised us? Probably the community of NGO representatives striving for social change in society!
