The Community
Environment
The projects of the Existências association focus on various areas of social intervention, with initiatives aimed at the health and well-being of vulnerable communities. These projects include support, awareness and rehabilitation programs, addressing issues such as HIV/AIDS, psychoactive substances and sexual and reproductive health. The association works to promote inclusion and improve quality of life, developing educational and support actions for those in need.
Around
The community itself is located in an area of ??granite erosion and the soil is very poor, but due to great effort the vegetation has been changing with the planting of more than 4000 deciduous trees, replacing the predominant pine trees in the area. Students and peers go for walks, ride bikes, and can travel safely from home to home within the area immediately surrounding our community.
Culture
Human beings do not live by bread alone. Cultural life, in the broadest sense, is also fundamental to creating the intended therapeutic environment. From the vase of flowers on the table, the chosen painting on the wall, the rhythm of small poems and songs that mark the course of the day, to artistic classes, celebrations of the year's festivities, small music or theater performances, whether or not led by our companions: everything contributes to this community and creative environment. Art and beauty are always therapeutic. We also want to contribute to the cultural life around us with monthly Cultural Nights open to the public, outings with our Folklore Ranch, theater performances, etc.
Atmosphere in the Residential Home
For the people in our care, your home is your base, your home. She provides them with warmth, security, and daily rhythm through meals, routine tasks, and creative activities. The companions live together in a family of choice, each person doing their part to maintain the harmonious functioning of the residence. In families, special events, birthdays, Christmas parties and other activities are celebrated together. All of this plays an important role in providing stability and providing a warm, therapeutic environment. Staff quarters are modest but well maintained and form an integral part of each home. Users either have a single room or share a room with a partner, depending on what is therapeutically desirable, with an adult responsible for their ongoing care and supervision of their personal needs.
Infrastructure
More than an 'Institution', Casa de Santa Isabel is a therapeutic community and our facilities reflect this philosophy. The community's houses and rural area occupy 35 hectares at the foot of Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain, located in central Portugal. The village of São Romão and the small town of Seia are very close by.
Social responses
We provide three Social Responses, namely, Home-Residential, C.A.O (Center for Occupational Activities) and Professional Training.
Residential House
We provide three Social Responses, namely, Home-Residential, C.A.O (Center for Occupational Activities) and Professional Training.
C.A.O (Occupational Activities Center)
We provide the following areas where companions can develop and contribute to the well-being of others: bakery, laundry, weaving, carpentry, maintenance services, book and binding workshop, paper recycling, kitchen, forestry, candle workshop, agriculture and aromatic and medicinal herbs.
Professional training
Casa de Santa Isabel is an entity accredited by DGERT (General Directorate of Employment and Labor Relations) and provides Professional Training for people with disabilities and/or disabilities.
