Bethany Social Services is a non-profit organization, which started its activity in Albania in 1991. Since its inception, Bethany Social Services has been engaged in social and humanitarian services to many regions of Albania and Kosovo. Bethany’s continuum of services has included: humanitarian aid, orphanage construction, hospital renovation, prevention of abandonment, family reintegration, adop
tion, pregnancy counseling, crisis pregnancy services, foster care, family reunion, trauma counseling, family counseling, volunteer services, education programs, training, information distribution, sponsorship, orphan care, and medical services. Bethany in Albania has always been focused on services for families, especially mothers and children. Bethany Social Service's aim is to improve the quality of life of people in need, particularly of women, children and families, through the provision of social services from professional staff. Current programs include training, foster care, family services, shepherding (crisis pregnancy), clinic services, transitional group home assistance, and adoption.
• TRAINING: Bethany develops educational programs for professionals by organizing workshops, seminars, conferences, round tables, and meetings focused on social services through Bethany’s Advanced Training Institute.
• FOSTER CARE: Bethany Social Services is currently implementing foster care in Albania. The foster care project is financed by UNICEF and is being carried out in collaboration with State Social Services, Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, and Municipality of Tirana. The foster care project consists of placing 10 children, ages 0-1, currently living in “Hannah & Rozafa” orphanage in foster families. The project aims at downsizing residential care institutions through smooth transitions into reliable foster care services.
• FAMILY SERVICES: Bethany is also working prevention, intervention and rehabilitation for children not living with their biological families. In order to multiply resources needed for timely family services, Bethany uses “Multi-Tier Support Services” (MTSS), which is a holistic model of services designed to reach many families at risk. Bethany is providing special attention to needy children through play therapy, music therapy and art therapy as there is a rising need for such services in Tirana.
• SHEPHERDING: Bethany has also developed a program for pregnant women at risk as a very early family preservation program. It targets abandoned pregnant women at risk of abandoning their newborns. “Pregnancy at risk” or “Shepherding”, prevents trafficking and abuse of unmarried pregnant girls, women, and children born out of wedlock. In providing social services, counseling, shelter, medical care, and training during pregnancy, this program encourages, supports and empowers these women.
• CLINIC SERVICES: Bethany’s staff of social workers, psychologists, medical doctors, and nurses provide counseling, family support, family placement, group therapy, parenting classes, life skills education, respite care, kinship care, sponsorship, and medical services in the Bethany Tirana Clinic.
• TRANSITIONAL GROUP HOME: In a unique partnership with the government of Albania, Bethany provides support, training, and consultation to the group home “Hannah &Rozafa” in Sauk. This support includes deinstitutionalization, family reunification, medical and social service consultation, and music therapy.
• ADOPTION: Bethany works with Bethany Christian Services Global, Inc, to facilitate US adoptions in Albania.
