KRISTINA MAČIULYTĖ, Youth worker in Public Entity ACTIO CATOLICA PATRIA in Lithuania. #EUYOUTHCONF “Youth Work: helping young people in transition period to become independent”

1. Kristina Mačiulytė, social worker
“Actio Catholica Patria”
helping young people
in transition period to become

2. Unique and powerful
 Lack of social and
Independent life skills
 With big (sometimes
unrealistic) dreams about
their future
 No clear vision or abilities
how to reach their dream
 Not motivated for changes
 Usually not involved into any
formal or non formal
activities
 Sometimes with delinquent
behavior
 Sometimes not welcoming
appearance
Portrait of young
person attending
youth center

4. Complements the range of services for young
people
Legal recognition of Youth Work
Conception of Open Youth Centres and Spaces in 2010
Certification of the Qualifications of the Youth Workers in
2011
Description of Open Youth Centres in 2012
Description of Youth workers practice in 2013
Open Youth Centres and Open Youth Spaces
Youth workers certificates and competences

5.  Reaches young people through
“Low-threshold”
 Accepts youngster with his own
values and attitudes
 Step by step builds the trust and
dialogue based relationship
 Sets some boundaries and
agreements and helps to follow
them
 Confronts, but does not judge
 Engages to some activities and
gives clear and achievable
responsibilities
 Leads and supports in the process
and helps to evaluate the
experience
 Notices personal growth and
encourage
 Empowers to use newly gained
skills

6. Trust based Relationship
Safe environment
Time - as long as it takes
Willingness to see changes

8.  Attitude towards young people
 Recognition of youth work
 Support and personal assistant
system
 Too high expectations and
time limits
 Cooperation and
communication culture in
some institutions
 Uncertainty for NGOs and
other organizations working
with young people
 And sometimes at least the
way a young person is
welcomed…