Russia
In geographic terms, Russia is the largest country in the world. It lies between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean. Its capital is Moscow; its second-largest city is St. Petersburg.
Bethany Christian Services began working in St. Petersburg in 1996. By 1998, Bethany Social Services (BSS) was established as an independent, locally registered, non-profit organization for the purpose of providing high quality social services in the city of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad area.
Since then, BSS has played a key role in the development and provision of numerous child and family welfare services, including family preservation, family reunification, pregnancy counseling, deinstitutionalization, foster care, and a variety of education services. BSS also provides life skills training and this year has begun a new project—support services for families affected by HIV/AIDS. Bethany touches the lives of nearly 500 Russian children each year.
In 2008, BSS received a letter of recognition from the Leningrad Area Committee of Education expressing its gratitude for Bethany’s implementation of the following projects:
- Life skills training for youth
- Development enhancement services for orphaned children
- Foster care
The partnership between BSS and the Committee was cited as a successful mode of collaboration between the State and a non-governmental organization.
BSS has also helped to build the capacity of the social services system in the Leningrad area by providing both long-term and short-term training to hundreds of professionals working in child and family welfare, including those associated with orphanages. Bethany was also involved in the process of creating new standards that guaranteed social support for orphans in the Leningrad area and standards for foster care and domestic (in-country) adoption.
BSS values its partnerships with government and like-minded organizations that work collaboratively to enhance the results achieved in each of its projects. In addition to support from Bethany Christian Services, BSS has received financial assistance from USAID, Geneva Global Inc., and Caterpillar Tosno Ltd.
Moving forward, BSS seeks to support national efforts to
decrease the number of children living in orphanages by
increasing and
improving social services provided to children and at-risk families.
Intercountry Adoption: In addition to our partnership with BSS, Bethany Christian Services works with accredited agencies in Russia for the adoptive placement of children. Bethany can assist U.S. families with an adoption from Russia by providing the Home Study, document preparation, and post-placement supervision. To date, Bethany has helped facilitate the placement of nearly 700 Russian children into loving, forever families.
Click on the program title to learn how you can help.
Family Support
Support for HIV-Positive Families
Training
Life Skills Training Program
Adoption
Intercountry Adoption
Social Systems
Training Leningrad Area Specialists