1997

1998

April 2nd 1999 – inauguration of Maria Center .

September 26th – Maria Center receives its own registration in court and is the first organization of the type in the country outside Sofia.

-         By the end of 1999 there are189 visits and telephone calls for information, emotional support and consultative help.

2000

-         Charity Know How finances a project, called “Violence on Women and Their Children”. A hot telephone line starts working for women victims of domestic violence.

-         A project “Together Against Violence on Women and Children”, financed by Foundation “Help for Charity in Bulgaria”. Agreements for cooperation on the problems of domestic violence are concluded between Maria Center and Municipal Administration, Regional Police Station, Municipal Office for Social Help, the Labor Bureau. Created programs for psychological consultation, juridical advising, and consultation via mail. Maria Center is included in the national net of  NGOs, which help women victims of violence.
-         In  2000 – 298 visits and telephone calls.

2001

-         A project “Prevention and Struggle Against Domestic Violence – I”, financed by “Open Society” Foundation. The first in Bulgaria social survey about the rate of domestic violence is carried out among the students at the high schools in Gorna Oryahovitsa and it helps the team to create prevention programs for students and teachers. Over 70 students and 40 pedagogues and counselors from the high schools in the town are trained.

-         A project “Girls at Risk – Prevention of Traffic”, financed by PHARE – ACCESS. Opened a 12-hour telephone Hot Line for prevention of traffic, carried out 168 class lessons with over 440 students from 5th to 11th class, trained on the topic 90 representatives of government institutions. Maria Center becomes a member of the National Net for Equal Opportunities.

-    In  2001 – 430 visits and telephone calls.

2002

-         A project “Prevention and Struggle Against Domestic Violence – II”, financed by “Open Society” Foundation. Created a Youth Club with the Center. Workshops with pedagogues, discussions with students, a seminar with police officers are carried out on the problems of the domestic violence. Maria Center is one of the initiators for a national lobbyist campaign for passing the bill against domestic violence. 983 postcards “I vote FOR the bill. And you?” sent to the Chairman of the Parliament.

-         A Project “From Children for Children”, financed by the Foundation for Development of Civil Initiatives. Equipped a children’s consultative office as a part of Maria Center.

Maria Center becomes a co-founder of the “Association of NPOs of the Small Towns in Bulgaria.”

 In 2002 – 632 visits and telephone calls.

December 12th 2002 –Maria Center is included in the Central Register of the Ministry of  Justice.

2003

-A project “Program for Empowering Girls Against Traffic and Conflict Mediation”  for girls from the  Social school, financed by the German committee “World Day of Prayer”. Created programs for children from the Social Specialized School: empowering for finding jobs, solving conflicts, prevention of traffic; printed booklets “Bulgarian traditional and church celebrations”; organized two excursions for students at the Social Specialized School.

-A project “Open Telephone Line for Women Victims of Domestic Violence”, financed by the World Bank. Psychologists work on the Open Telephone Line which gives a chance to the women who want to be anonymous or live in far-away settlements to get information, emotional support, and specialized consultative help.

-         Project “Traffic of Women and Children – Violation of the Human Rights”, financed by the Democratic Commission with the US Embassy. Expanding the activities of the Center outside the town – in 8 other towns and villages in the district. Training’s with students, teachers and parents on the problems of the traffic in  Strazhitsa, Dryanovo and Svishtov. There will be more training’s in Zlataritsa, Lyaskovets, Polski Trambesh, Elena.

March 2003 – Canter “Maria” receives the reward of the Foundation for Reform in the Local Auto-Government, for exclusive innovating contribution to the theme “Improvement of the Social Environment”.

September 2003 – Krasimira Alexanrova  and Tanya Ruseva take place in an international seminar on the problems of violence over women in the town of Soest, Germany.

In 2003 – 708 visits and telephone calls in Maria Center.

2004

- Maria Center receives a license from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy for giving social services to elderly people.

- A project “Together in Service of Society”, financed by the government of the Netherlands in  MATRA- CAP Program.

- A project “Maria Means Hope”, financed by the Global Women’s Fund.

- October 12th – Maria Center organizes a regional Round Table “Traffic of Women and Children – Violation of the Human Rights”.’’

- December 1st - started the work on a 20-month project Programme for Empowerment of Young People, Raised, Taught and Brought up in Institutions, financed by EU on PHARE Programme - Development of Civic Society 2002.

Project “MARIA MEANS HOPE”

Duration: 12 months (December 2004 – December 2005)

Main activities:

·        experience with victims of violation will work under supervision;

·        Open Telephone Line for women and children, victims of domestic violation – 8 hours every workday. A psychologist with 3 year- Consultative help for women and children victims of domestic violation-  by a psychologist, psychotherapist, lawyer;

·        Publishing and distributing info and advert materials (stickers, advertising Open Telephone Line, information brochures).

Team:

 Krasimira Aleksandrova, MD – Chairperson of the Managing Council, psychiatrist

       Tanya Ruseva – Executive Director, pedagogue

       Donka Petrova – pediatric psychologist

       Lyudmila Tsvetanova – social psychologist

       Ivan Ivanov – lawyer

       Maria Ruseva – technical secretary

       Tanya Petrova – technical assistant

       Vesela Mihova – assistant

       Tsvetanka Nikolova – accountant

Project “PROGRAM FOR EMPOWERING GIRLS AGAINST TRAFFIC AND CONFLICT MEDIATION”for girls from the Social Specialized School, Gorna Oryahovitsa.

Project “Together in Service of Society”

Financing:  Kingdom of The Netherlands’ government at MATRA-CAP Program

Duration: 12 months ( September 1st 2004 – August 31st 2005)

Goal of project: To create an effective model of interaction between the Police and an NGO

Objectives: 1. To increase the trust in the police through improving giving information to the community and to facilitate contacts between people and the police institution.

                    2. To improve the police officers’ capacity for work on cases of domestic violence.

                    3. To enlarge Maria Center team’s experience at work together with the police and victims of domestic violence.

A short description of the project: Training for the sergeants and officers at the Regional Police Department in Gorna Oryahovitsa on the topic of the domestic violence as power and control: popularizing authority of the police in cases of domestic violence with the help of the media: publishing and distributing of a brochure and a map of the region with information of the location of the police officers, and other information materials that can help; consultations of police officers undergone stressful situations while on duty, consultative help and emotional support to women and children victims of violence and directed to Maria Center by police officers.

Main activities:

          1. Training for the sergeants and officers at the Regional Police Department in Gorna Oryahovitsa – psychological aspects of the domestic violence, authority of the police in case of domestic violence (juridical aspects), work on certain cases from the police practice, explaining main points in the project law against domestic violence. Carrying out inquiries among the police officers after each training, processing and analyzing results.

          2. Consultative and work-meetings between Maria Center’s team and leading officers from the Regional Police Department.

          3. Crisis intervention and individual therapy, if needed, of police officers.

          4. Law consultation of women victims of domestic violence.

          5. Crisis intervention and emotional support of women and children victims of domestic violence.

          6. Printing and distributing a brochure with a map of the region of Gorna Oryahovitsa Police Department which will include not only information about  the location of the police inspectors and updated one about all security companies in the region, but also “ An Alphabet of Survival” (not lighted parts of the town, not safeguarded pedestrian zones, streets with high rate of crime, advice for keeping out of criminal actions, etc.)

          7. Printing business cards of Maria Center and the police inspectors.

          8. Cable radio programs in the rubrics “Five Minutes for Maria Center”, publications in the local press on problems and about the progress of the project.

          9. A concluding discussion about the interaction NGO – Police – victims of domestic violence.

December 1st - started the work on a 20-month project Programme for Empowerment of Young People, Raised, Taught and Brought up in Institutions, financed by EU on PHARE Programme - Development of Civic Society 2002.

2005

The work on Project Programme for Empowerment of Young People, Raised, Taught and Brought up in Institutions financed by EU on Programme PHARE - Development of Civic Society 2002 is going on.

A prevention-victimological map of Gorna Oryahovitsa (a map of the criminality) published.

May 25th - a certificate from the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy for giving social service - Shelter for victims of domestic violence received.

Lyudmila Tsvetanova and Donka Petrova from Maria Centre team took part in an international conference on the problem of the illegal traffic of people - Soest, Germany, September 22nd - 27th.
Participation in a round table on the problems of domestic violence - Polski Trambesh, November 26th.

After Maria Centre initiative a national meeting of the leaders of Social Specialized Schools in Bulgaria, NGOs and government institutions was held - December 01st - 2nd.

Project Programme for Mobilizing the Community, financed by Open Society Club - Ruse.

Project: Increasing the opportunities for employment, financed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy on the Programme Active Service at the Market of Labour at loan agreement with the World Bank.

2006

The work on project Empowerment of young people raised, taught and brought up in institutions, financed by EU on PHARE Program - Development of the Civic Society - 2002 is going on.

Project Increasing the opportunities for employment, financed by Agency of Employment with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy on the Programme Active Service at the Market of Labour at loan agreement with the World Bank.

Experts from Maria Centre held a training session for Naya Association Team - Targovishte about opening a consultative centre on the problems of violence over women.

Participation in a round table on the problems of prevention of violence in school, Zlataritsa - June 26th.

A brochure We can in order to present the results from the work on the project Programme for Empowerment of Young People, Raised, Taught and Brought up in Institutions financed by EU on Programme PHARE - Development of Civic Society 2002 .

Maria Centre received a license by MLSP for giving the social service Shelter for mentally retarded people

A license received by SACP for giving social service to children.

8TH November, 2006

Center “Maria” received the Annual reward of the Regional Direction Police – Veliko Tarnovo “For active partnership in the achieving of  prevention and in connection with  the holiday of the Bulgarian Police”

2007

Successfully finished the work on the projects “Program for Enpowering of young boys and girls, raised, trained and educated in institutions” and “Increasing of the opportunities for employment”. 
February
Center “Maria” won a project ” ThenextMileoftherEuropeanCivilSocietyInfrastructure  (Increasing of the potential of the Bulgarian and Romanian organisations of the civil society for improvement of the social environment) Grant  contract : 2005/108-049, funded by the Open society Institute  

1st March, 2007 – 31st August, 2008
Started the work on the execution of the project BG2004/016-711.01.02-2.3.42  “Sheltered home for people with intellectual retardation” funded by PHARE Program of the EC “Deinstitutionalisation via providing of services in the community for groups in risk”.

1st March, 2007 – 30th June, 2008
Center “Maria” is partner of the municipality of Polski Trambesh on the execution of the project BG2004/016-711.01.02-1.22 “Center for providing of alternative services for children and families in need” funded by PHARE Program
2nd and 3rd July
Representatives from Center “Maria” visited the sheltered homes in Bansko and Razlog in order to exchange experience.
18th -23rd August
Training of the team of Center “Maria” in the Department for re-qualification of teachers affiliated with the Shumen Pedagogical University “Acquiring of social – pedagogical skills for providing and managing of alternative social services in the community” .

23rd August
The team of Center “Maria” visited the Sheltered home in Russe.
29th September – 3rd October
Representatives of Cener “Maria” visited Foundation “Conexiuni” –in the town of Deva, Romania.  There was signed a contract for cooperation between the two orgaisations.

5th November
Katy Love from the Global Children Fund (Washington, USA) visited center “Maria”.

20th November
Center “Maria” hosted a National seminar for presenting of good practices from the system for exchange of personnel on the project ThenextMileoftherEuropeanCivilSocietyInfrastructure, executed by the Open Society Institute - Sofia
November, 2007 – October,  2010 г.
Center “Maria” is partner of the Association “Gavrosh” - Varna, Assiociation “Demetra” – Bourgas and the Association “Chance and protection” – Haskovo for execution of the project “Promotion of the best practices on children protection, funded by OAK.
10th – 12th December
Representatives from Center “Maria” took part in the International meeting of the NGO-s in Bucharest, Romania: “Good practices from the system for exchange of personnel on project ThenextMileoftheEuropeanCivilSocietyInfrastructure”

2008

April – Representative of Center Maria took part in round table “The domestic violence and alternatives for social inclusion of the Bulgarian woman and girl”. The forum took part in hall “Zapad” of the National Assembly.  This was a closing meeting in connection with the end of the Parliament Assembly of the Council of Europe” “Parliamentarians against the domestic violence”.  Organizer was the parliament member from NDSV Darinka Stancheva, who is a coordinator of the National Assembly of Republic of Bulgaria and regional coordinator of group D. The round table ended with the creation of a mixed committee which was supposed to prepare a suggestion for change of the law for protection from the domestic violence, because there was reported that many of its clauses don’t work effectively.  On the meeting we presented our experience in the work for social inclusion of people in risk. 

May – Center Maria is a partner of the municipality of Gorna Oriahovitsa in execution of the project “Providing of a social service in the community “Home assistant” , funded by the Europen Social Fund,   Operative program “Development of the human resources” 

May – In the office of Center Maria was held 5 day long training seminar with lecturer Diana Angelova (clinical psychologist , consultant of teams of sheltered homes and manager of the Sheltered home in Sliven). The topics of the work program of the seminar encompass a whole range of issues and problems regarding the organization of the work process and the support of the users of the sheltered home. The last day from the seminar was the most interesting when there took part the managers of the sheltered home in Russe.   The representatives of the three sheltered homes (in Gorna Oriahovitsa, Sliven and Russe) had a lot to share and exchanged experience in providing of the new social service. There were negotiated the steps for future partnership in providing of social services in the community. 
The seminar ended with a group supervision of the team of the Sheltered house to Center Maria from the team of the sheltered house in Sliven.  The goal of the supervision was the specialists from the Sheltered house in Gorna Oriahovitsa to receive support in overcoming the emotional burden, the physical and psychological exhaustion. 

June  -  Ended the project “Center for alternative social services for families and children in risk”, funded by the EU, program PHARE, in which execution Center Maria was a partner of the municipality of Polski Trambesh.

June  -  Center Maria was a partner of the regional police station – Gorna Oriahovitsa in execution of the project  “Study of the social – behavioral and the psychological aspects of the work of the police officers in reacting to warnings for violation of the public order in a zone with gipsy population and application of effective practices”.

July - Center Maria is a partner of the   Institute for Social Activities and Practices – Sofia in accomplishment of the project “Resilience without boundaries”, Funded byFoundation ОАК (Switzerland)

July – Was published the book “The first step towards the independence” in which the team of Center Maria shares its experience and the achieved results during the accomplishment of the project” Sheltered house for people with intellectual retardation”. This project helped 8 women   with intellectual retardation to be taken away from institutions in which they have spent a great part of their life and to be placed in a sheltered house where under the cares of a trained and motivated team to start their way towards the independence.  It helped them to become more self confident that they can manage their life.  Accomplishing the project “Sheltered house for people with intellectual retardation”, the Association Center Maria proved that as an NGO can
react quicker to the stated needs of the users to develop new ideas and to discover new innovative approaches for their achievement.    
The good results encouraged us and we are planning the next steps.  We succeeded to mobilize the local community, we have the support of our partners and this gives us strength and confidence that the causes to which we devoted ourselves deserve our efforts. 

August – Ended the work on the project “Sheltered house for people with intellectual retardation”, funded by the EU – program PHARE. 

September – Center Maria was a partner of the District Police Directorate – Veliko Tarnovo in accomplishment of the project “Creation of conditions for equal rights of the candidates from gipsy origin  for state service in the Ministry of internal affairs” .

October – Center Maria took part in the first competition for external supplier of a social service, announced by the municipality of Gorna Oriahovitsa.

1 November - Center Maria won the announced by the municipality competition and and according to the signed contract since 1st November, 2008 until 2013 will be supplier and will manage the provision of the social service “Sheltered house” in the community like a delegated state activity. 

December – Continues the work on the project “Resilience without boundaries”.  In the office of Center Maria was held the basic training on resilience approach for specialists from Gorna Oriahovitsa and Lyaskovets, who work directly with children.

2009.

September:
* There was made a working card for solving of a specific problem on security and public order “Violence against children” together with the regional police station in Gorna Oriahovitsa;
*  29,30 September hotel “Boliarski – VelikoTarnovo – Center Maria organized  two days long seminar for the representatives of the institutions, which work on the Law for child protection on regional and local level.  On the seminar were presented good practices for working with children, victims of violence.  Each of the institutions developed a plan /variant/ of a mechanism for cooperation and to these plans were made additions and they were analyzed.  There was discussed the work variant of a Chart for cooperation between the institutions, working with children on regional and local level. Moderator of the event was Ms. Katia Krastanova from Foundation “Animus”, Sofia.  

November
    * 1st November– The team of Center”Maria” started work on the project  „Support for the victims of domestic violence”,  funded by the Bulgarian Fund for women on program “Life without violence”.  The activities include psychical, social consulting and legal advising of women, suffered domestic violence, training of volunteers for working on Open telephone line for victims of violence 0618/2 21 81, media campaign.                    
   * 5th November – in hotel “Ambaritsa” Center “Maria” hosted the Closing roundtable ”Prevention – thebestprotectionofthechild” In the round table took part representatives of Association “Gavrosh” – Varna, Association “Children and youth” – Sofia, Association “Demetra” – Bourgas, Assosiation “Chance and Protection” – Haskovo and also professionals from institutions which work directly with children and youth from 5 municipalities in Veliko Tarnovo district.  On the forum was shared the positive experience from the work on the project “Dissemination of the best practices for child protection” in four regions of the country and were discussed the opportunities and the ways for its’ multiplication. 
   * 6th November – in the district administration Veliko Tarnovo on a round table with the participation of institutions, NGOs and media was signed  Chart for cooperation between the institutions which work with children on a regional and local level. In the document the representatives  of the responsible institutions declare their readiness to work on the created model of inter-institutional cooperation through coordination and effective partnership for building of a sustainable and functional policy on district level for the prevention of the violence over children.  The expectation is in this way to be stimulated the participation of a broader circle of interested people and organizations in solving the problem for the domestic violence over children.  The chart was signed by: The Regional Administration Veliko Tarnovo, Regional Directorate “Social Aid” – Veliko Tarnovo,The regional prosecutor’s office, The district police station, the regional Center for healthcare – Veliko Turnovo, The regional inspectorate of education Veliko Tarnovo, St.Cyril and St.Methodius University of Veliko Turnovo, Prosecutor's Office of Appeal, by the mayors of the m unicipalities of Veliko Turnovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Elena, Lyaskovets, Polski Trumbesh, Zlataritsa, Strazhitsa, Pavlikeni, Svishtov and Suhindol.
  * Center “Maria” started work on the project „ Prevention – effective counteraction of the traffic of women and children.”, funded by the Foundation for Reform in Local Government together with Foundation Eco Community, operator of fund for NGOs - Bulgaria - FINANCIAL MECHANISM OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC SPACE. There was held the first working meeting of the team with representatives of institutions which work with children from the five municipalities in which is executed the project: Gorna Oriahovitsa, Lyaskovets, Zlataritsa, Polsli Trambesh and Svishtov. 
December
     * There was prepared and printed a brochure “The traffic of people”.
     * The training team of Center “Maria” held the first trainings in prevention of the traffic with children and youth from two schools in Gorna Oriahovitsa. 

2010

January
    * there were printed 600 numbers of the brochure “The traffic of people – the most important that we must know” 
    * 20th January – our representative took part in the meeting of the Municipal committee for child protection in which he filed a motion in the Municipal program for child protection for 2010 to be included all the trainings of children and youth on prevention of the traffic, which are a part of the program of Center “Maria” for prevention from the violence.

February
     * There were printed and disseminated 250 business cards of the regional police inspectors from the police station – Gorna Oriahovitsa and Lyaskovets with information for their reception time, and also information about the Open Telephone line, work hours and address and telephone numbers of Center “Maria” and the consulting services, which the center provides to the women, victims of violence.  The business cards were disseminated by the regional police inspectors and volunteers. 
   * There was printed a poster “The traffic of people – time for action!”, which contains messages for counteraction of the phenomenon.  The poster was distributed in five municipalities from Veliko Tarnovo District.   
   * 10th February – Working meeting with representatives from 3 municipalities from Veliko Tarnovo District on execution of the project ” Theprevention – effectivecounteractionofthetrafficofwomenandchildren”
   * In the office of Center “Maria” were held four training modules on prevention from the traffic with students from “Ivan Vazov” school -Gorna Oriahovitsa 

м. март
  * 13th , 14th March – in the office of Center “Maria” was held introducing training in the approach “Resilience”  with specialists who work with children.  Trainer was Mrs. Katia Krastanova – Foundation “Animus” – Sofia.
   * 18th March – Work meeting on project ” Theprevention – effectivecounteractionofthetrafficofwomenandchildren”.
   * There were held six trainings on prevention from the traffic with students from Gorna Oriahovitsa and High school “St.St. Cyril and Methodius” - Zlataritsa, one two days long training on prevention from the traffic with pedagogues from the High school “St.St. Cyril and Methodius”- Zlataritsa.
 
   * In the office of Center “Maria” was held a training of 10 volunteers from supporting professions for work on Open telephone line for victims of violence. 

April
   * 8th April– Work meeting with “F. Sekelarevich” School in Svishtov on execution of the project ” Theprevention – effectivecounteractionofthetrafficofwomenandchildren”.

   * The municipal Council in Gorna Oriahovitsa accepts Municipal Plan for Child Protection – 2010 part of which is the program of Center “Maria” for prevention from the violence. 
  * The team of trainers of Center “Maria” held trainings on prevention from the traffic with students from the secondary school “Tsanko Tserkovski” in the town of Polski Trambesh and the school “Philip Sekelarevich” in Svishtov, with pedagogues and social workers from the secondary school “Tsanko Tserkovski” and the Center for public support in the town of Polski Trambesh. 
May
  * Until April in Center “Maria” were registered 40 telephone calls, the consultative office was visited by  37 clients, there were held 42 psychological and 21 legal consultations.  Via e-mail were received 9 applications for consultation.  There were achieved 9 contacts with institutions such as Directorate for social aid, the department for child protection and regional police station, there were filed 5 cases on the law for protection from domestic violence.  Four of the clients were directed to the Center by the Directorate for social aid, 3 – from the regional police station, 3 – from citizens who have information about the provided services. 
  * In the office of center “Maria” work meeting of representatives from schools in Gorna Oriahovitsa with a member of the team SAPI – Sofia in connection with the announced competition on the Project “Resilience without boundaries”.
   * 12th May  – work meeting on the project “Theprevention – effective counteraction of the traffic of women and children”.
  *  The training team of Center “Maria” held trainings on prevention from the traffic with students from the high school “St.St. Cyril and Methodius” in Zlataritsa and with the schools “P.R. Slaveikov” in the village of Dzhuliunitsa, “ Philip Sekelarevich” in Svishtov, with children – clients of the center for public support in Polski Trambesh and with the vocational school “Elena Grancharova”, with unemployed women, registered in the Unemployment Bureau in the district, with pedagogues, psychologists, working in the committee for anti public behavior and Sheltered house from the district of Veliko Tarnovo.
   * 31 май – Център „Мария” организира Мобилна конференция „Нищо не е спечелено докрай, нищо не е изгубено изцяло” с участието на „Форум-театър 220” във връзка с изпълнението на проект „Резилианс без граници”.

м. юни
    * 19th and 20th June – in the office of Center “Maria” was held upper building training on the approach Resilience of specialists who work with children.  Trainer – Mrs. Katia Krastanova – Foundation Association “Animus” – Sofia. 

* 24th June – In Hotel “Perla” in Gorna Oriahovitsa the association Center “Maria” organized Round table “The prevention – effective counteraction of the traffic of women and children”.   In the round table took part 42 representatives of organizations and institutions from the district of Veliko Tarnovo.   The focus of the work is on applying of Coordination Mechanism for cooperation while working with children, victims or in risk of violence. The participants made the following conclusions: The work for realizing the violence and the traffic of people as a violation of the human rights is not finished. The work on prevention from the violence shouldn’t be interrupted.  It has to become one of the priorities for the work with children, because all of us are clear that the prevention is the best protection of the child!  For the increasing of the effectiveness of the struggle against the traffic of people are needed much more efforts for the synchronization of the cooperation between the institutions and the organizations which work especially for child protection.  
  
     * The training team of Center “Maria” held two days long training  of nurses and social workers on prevention from the sexual violence over children.  

July
     * The team of Center “Maria” took part in a working meeting with the new leaders of the District Directorate “Police” .
August
       * The team of Center “Maria” starts work on the project “Specialized help for people, suffered domestic violence”, funded by “Foundation “Lale” /Tulip/on program “Small grants” with the main goal to provide a protected environment and effective support to women, victims of domestic violence.