Tbilisi Youth House Foundation
The Tbilisi Youth House Foundation was created in 1998 by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to assist social orphans and the influx of internally displaced people (IDPs). In 2001 it became a registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and continues assistance and development activities aimed to empower the socially disadvantaged youth and children.
The Youth House offers such after-school classes as art, drama, Spanish, English, computers, job placement techniques, human rights awareness, journalism, video photography and even trains Tbilisi tour guides. More information can be found on their web-site: http://tyhfoundation.gol.ge
Peachtree Road United Methodist Church (PRUMC) has partnered with the TYHF since 2004 to help assist disadvantageous youth in Tbilisi and in the Imereti Region. We have found funding for sports programs and have hired the older youth as tour guides and interpreters for the team. Teams have done various art projects with the children, and the Youth House children always perform for us! A private donor has supported an All Kinds of Minds program which integrates mentally and physically challenged children into the mainstream. These truly marginalized children learn art, dance and their parents soon learn that they are definitely talented children.
Given our long-standing partnership with the Youth House, it was clear that we would orchestrate all our war-relief efforts through them. Over 841 IDPs were assisted through PRUMC and Georgia to Georgia (GA2GE) ~ we were one of the first agencies offering hands-on help ~ we provided bedding, linens, hygiene items, cooking utensils, comforters, clothing and all items needed for those who left all they owned behind.