History

Our shelter for displaced families is located on the site of a wooden fortress and farm dating back to the 14th Century. The historic mansion which serves as our base today was built in 1812 and is surrounded by fenced parkland containing a lake. At the beginning of the 20th Century the estate was owned by the Italian countess Olga Meraviglia-Crivelli.

An association dedicated to the care of orphans and senior citizens operated from the house from 1927 to 1947. The premises of the former mansion were acquired with the help of the United Methodist Church from the USA. In 1958, the estate was nationalised. The United Methodist Churched received the property back in 1997. In July 1999 the Christian Help Centre came into operation, following upon the tradition of taking care of people in difficult situations.

Who we are

We are a Christian organisation providing social services and spiritual care to those in need.

Founder

The centre was founded by the United Methodist Church in the Czech Republic.

The centre is operated under the umbrella of the Diaconia of the United Methodist Church which oversees a number of centres providing social care throughout the Czech Republic.

Let´s read about us in media:

►   Bridge IWAP

►   Homes for Families

Role of our donors and partners

A close cooperation with the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams from the USA was established in the early 1990’s. A number of congregations support our Centre financially with some communities providing volunteering teams in addition to their financial assistance.

Long-term partners of the Centre include the Firsth United Methodist Church, Birmingham Detroit. The Centre has cooperated with FUMC for the past two years within the scope of the 50/50 project. 

Our values

►   Assistance to those in need

►   Hope

►   Respect

►   Mercy

Our services

We provide temporary accommodation, support and services to people at risk of losing their home

The shelter provides services to a broad target group, including parents and their children, single mothers and single fathers with children, women in the 8th and 9th month of pregnancy, and families in the process of preparation for the return of their children. Our goal is to arrange for temporary accommodation and provide support and services aimed at finding a solution resulting from difficult social situations including the loss of a home.

There are 84 beds in the shelter and we are able to accommodate as many as eight members of a single family. The service is provided for a maximum of one year based on Czech legislation. We involve the users in the management and operation of the shelter and they are become partly responsible for the cleaning and management of their homes. We also provide a number of services including the services of a pastor and psychotherapist.

►   We provide support and assistance families who are at risk of losing their home or are homeless

►   Be part of a community of donors and support our efforts.

►   We appreciate any donation and support.

Other activities

“READ TO CHILDREN” PROJECT

Using a number of volunteers, the project’s purpose is to encourage both parents and children to read together regularly, thus enhancing children’s knowledge, vocabulary and imagination. We are always looking for more volunteers to help with this programmne and you to participate and read to the children.

“READ TO CHILDREN” PROJECT

Using a number of volunteers, the project’s purpose is to encourage both parents and children to read together regularly, thus enhancing children’s knowledge, vocabulary and imagination. We are always looking fro more volunteers to help with this programme and you to participate and read to the children.

ENGLISH WITH CAROL

Carol is a US volunteer who regularly visits children in the shelter, teaching them English, drawing and painting with them or making cookies.

ENGLISH WITH CAROL

Carol is a US volunteer who regularly visits children in the shelter, teaching them English, drawing and painting with them or making cookies.

SENIOR CLUB

By providing meeting rooms we facilitate senior citizens from Horni Pocernice to meet and engage in a number of different social and creative activities.

SENIOR CLUB

By providing meeting rooms we facilitate senior citizens from Horni Pocernice to meet and engage in a number of different social and creative activities.