Re-post in English from the VK page of Hospes Dei Diaconal Ministry of The Church of Ingria
A short time ago, our Diaconal Center in Kronstadt hosted new guests – a mother with two children aged 2.5 and 7 who had lost her job because of the epidemic and could not pay for rented accommodation any longer. Our congregation in Koltushi has provided them with groceries. Currently, we are helping the mother do paperwork to begin receiving governmental benefits this family have not been receiving until now.
In Russia today, the most vulnerable segment of the population are families with children where the parents have lost their job, don’t have permanent residence, abuse alcohol and drugs. The ELCIR Diaconal Department does its best to help such families cope with the crisis and return to normal life.
We provide mothers with children with temporary housing, food, grocery packages, clothes, medicines, and hygiene articles. We use a lawyer’s assistance to do paperwork for them to receive various financial benefits including spousal support; provide legal support in their interaction with governmental offices; help them find employment. If needed, we involve psychologists, medics, and educators in our aid efforts.
In Kronstadt and on Vtoraya Liniya Street on Vasilyevsky Island, St. Petersburg, we have equipped a facility for the temporary housing and social adaptation of mothers with children. It can house up to 24 persons.
We would greatly appreciate your support, such as food, medicines, and money. Donate for our diaconal work by using the QR code in VK group of ELCIR Diaconal Ministy.