The Ministry Center orientations held annually in September are just a beginning of the Life Skills opportunities made available to older orphans each year. The orientations are held at the Ministry Centers in Vladimir, Kostroma and Ivanovo, consisting of three separate evenings of mini-seminars, fun and food at each location. The mini-seminars focus on practical things that young people just aging out of the orphanages need to know – where support services are in their new communities, how to apply for assistance, budgeting and much more.
On-going events at each of the Ministry Centers have included other practical life skills such as cooking and sewing classes. At the Ivanovo Ministry Center the new kitchen is the center of activity several times a week as many of the young adults learn to cook while enjoying a meal together. The coaches keep everyone fit in the weight/exercise rooms in both Ivanovo and Kostroma. While toning their bodies the orphans have the opportunity to chat with the coaches about issues and learn from their life experiences. We believe that all the young people are learning from the staff while enjoying fellowship with other graduates.
In September ’09 Bridge to the Nations led a week long Life Skills Conference. They traveled to three regions hosting evening seminars at the ministry centers for the orphans and young families and afternoon seminars while visiting tech schools. In Kostroma they also assisted the young people in a community project.