Toma, a forty-year-old man, faces daily challenges due to his epilepsy, which has prevented him from securing stable employment. With a monthly income of only 370 HRK (approximately $50), he lives under extremely precarious conditions despite having a roof over his head—a home he inherited from his grandmother.

Adding to his struggles is a complex bureaucracy that has excluded him from regular social welfare programs, leaving him at constant risk of homelessness. The lack of key documents has made it even harder for him to access basic resources and opportunities to improve his situation. To survive, Toma walks the streets every night or early in the morning collecting empty plastic bottles. During the day, he visits a local support center where he receives meals and a place to rest.

One day, he decided to seek help to change his reality. Through the counseling and legal assistance services offered by the organization Kuća Utočišta (House of Refuge), Toma began to better understand his situation and work on strategies to access his social rights. Since then, he has been spending more time at the center, taking advantage of resources like the reading room, computer lab, and opportunities to socialize with other users. Opening up about his experiences has allowed Toma to build relationships and strengthen his support network.

With the support of Kuća Utočišta’s team, Toma has started the process of finding a job tailored to his needs and abilities. Although the journey is challenging, the organization remains committed to improving his employability and working on his social integration.

This personalized approach, along with Depaul Croatia’s initiatives to engage vulnerable individuals, is already yielding positive results. It is hoped that these efforts will soon provide a solution for Toma, offering him not only economic stability but also renewed hope for the future.

Source: https://depaul.hr/