The Simona Kijonková Foundation has supported the organization Indigo Děčín, which operates in the Boletice nad Labem district of Děčín and has been helping children and young people from the local socially excluded community for over 20 years. The low-threshold and community center Kamarád, run by Indigo, is a place where young people find stability, support, and a safe space for personal development. This year’s foundation grant of CZK 300,000 is used to cover the center’s operating costs and to support activities focused on education and the personal growth of children. Thanks to the financial support of the Simona Kijonková Foundation, the center creates opportunities for healthy development for children despite their challenging social backgrounds.
“I have been in contact with Indigo for quite some time, and in the past I also worked here as a volunteer. I studied in Ústí nad Labem, which is very close to Boletice, and I know how important support and acceptance are for children in this area, things they often lack in their families. I deeply respect Indigo because it is a place where children feel accepted, regardless of their difficult life situations. Even small changes can give children hope and the courage to pursue their dreams,” said Simona Kijonková, founder of the foundation.
Long-Term Support for Children in Socially Excluded Communities
The Simona Kijonková Foundation supports children under the age of 18 who face difficult living conditions. Through its programs, the foundation helps finance school and leisure activities, contributes to therapy, ski courses, and preparation for entrance exams, ensuring that these children also have access to quality education and opportunities for personal development. According to current estimates, up to 20% of children in the Czech Republic are at risk of poverty, which significantly affects their chances of future success.
Supporting socially disadvantaged children is a top priority for Simona Kijonková - Indigo is one of the eight core organizations the foundation aims to support on a long-term basis.
Children in Boletice need educational support as well as a safe place where they can overcome barriers together. Thanks to the cooperation between the foundation and the Kamarád center, children from the socially excluded community have the opportunity to change their life trajectories and find new hope.
The Simona Kijonková Foundation Helps Children Grow Up in a Safe Environment
Through the Kamarád leisure-time center, Indigo Děčín focuses on providing social services to children and young people who find themselves in difficult social conditions or are at risk because of them. The low-threshold approach allows children to cross both the symbolic and physical threshold of the center without fear, where they find not only a safe environment but also activities that support their education, social skills, and personal development. Thanks to the long-term support of Simona Kijonková, Kamarád has improved its facilities and introduced new programs that help children develop values such as responsibility, friendship, and healthy self-confidence.
“The goal of the Kamarád center is to offer children meaningful leisure and educational activities that help them navigate life. Every day, we work to ensure that children gain important skills and positive habits that they can use both in their personal and school lives. With the foundation’s support, we can continue to provide a safe space where children can grow and learn,” says Miroslav Grajcar, founder and director of Indigo Děčín.
The center is visited by an average of 35-40 children daily and provides services to up to 150 different children each year. These children often face low expectations from their surroundings, and the absence of positive role models forces them to deal with situations they never wished to face. Success stories - such as that of a boy who, despite family difficulties, went on to earn a university degree - are living proof of the vital role Kamarád plays in children’s lives.
