In the photo, the leaders of the Šiauliai City Young Samaritans with Father Paulius Vaineikis OFM

We, the Šiauliai branch of the Lithuanian Samaritan Society, are starting to implement a new initiative – the project “Safe-360°”, for which Šiauliai City Municipality has allocated funding for the implementation of youth initiatives.

The essence of this project is to examine the topic of security comprehensively, covering physical space, emotional health and the digital world. Our main activity is based on peer training, during which the young mentors we have trained will become mediators of help in their communities, and we will provide socially vulnerable young people with the opportunity to learn responsibility, empathy and self-esteem from a leadership position. Based on the values ​​of the Samaritans, we develop the courage of young people to see, the ability to recognize manipulation and stop the chain of violence at any stage, while emphasizing that true strength is manifested through helping others.

The main focus of the project will be a two-day experiential camp, where we will combine theoretical knowledge with creative workshops, forum theater, and role-playing games, while parallel cybersecurity sessions will help develop digital literacy.

 We are pleased that the Young Samaritans in Šiauliai are currently active in three educational institutions, and more than 100 students in total participate in the activities of these groups. With the project “Safe-360°”, we directly address the problems of violence, bullying and digital threats relevant to the city, providing our youth with sustainable tools and self-confidence in creating a safer and more respectful environment for all members of the community.

Danutė Kratukienė, Chairwoman of the Šiauliai branch of the Lithuanian Samaritan Society

We are happy to share an amazing success story: the project “Discover the Power of Leadership” has been successfully implemented! Its main goal was not only to teach leadership principles, but also to strengthen social responsibility and develop community spirit.

The project culminated in a leadership symposium, where young leaders shared their experiences and insights, confirming that they were ready to put their skills into practice.

The successful implementation of all project objectives and the achievement of tangible results have confirmed its great relevance and long-term impact. Although funding has ended, the leadership and teamwork experiences gained through this project will be applied in the further activities of the Lithuanian Samaritan Society Šiauliai branch.

This is proof of the importance of continuing to develop empathy, responsibility, and leadership. Our youth, having discovered their power and strengthened their commitment to others, will continue their active activities, ensuring that this newly discovered leadership power will last for a long time to come!

#youngJisaMarieciai #leadership #socialresponsibility #support #kindnessprojects #discoveryofderiogalia

In early October, a meeting of young Samaritans took place, bringing together active, kind-hearted young people from various schools. This event was dedicated to strengthening fellowship, the spirit of volunteerism, and leadership development. Young Samaritans actively participated in various activities, considering what it means to be a leader in a community – not only to lead, but also to be able to listen, help, and inspire others. During the event, there was no shortage of good humor, sincere conversations, and new ideas on how to further contribute to good deeds in their environment.

The festive atmosphere of the event was enhanced by meaningful moments – the young Samaritans sang the Samaritan anthem and took the Young Samaritan Oath, promising to spread kindness, help the weaker and be responsible members of their community. Brother Fr. Paulius Vaineikis OFM encouraged the young people to be brave in sharing kindness and not to lose faith in humanity, and Fr. Gediminas Kasperavičius urged them to follow the living examples of our nation, who testify to love, compassion and service through their works.

Skaityti toliau

This year, Šiauliai City Municipality continues to promote youth initiatives, and one of the priority areas this year is the promotion of youth leadership. To implement this goal, the Šiauliai branch of the Lithuanian Samaritan Society has initiated the project “Awaken the Power of a Leader” . The project is designed to develop leadership skills in young people and will include several stages with specific activities.

In the first phase, project participants will have the opportunity to participate in theoretical and practical training sessions . These sessions will address key topics of leadership, teamwork, effective communication and social responsibility. Young people will be introduced to the principles of leadership and will gain the knowledge necessary for effective leadership and the ability to mobilize teams for a common goal. The first phase will also include seminars and group sessions , during which the development of participants’ competencies will be encouraged. It is planned that young people will learn from the success stories of experienced leaders and try out various team, creative and experiential activities.

The second phase of the project will focus on the practical application of the acquired knowledge . Participants will be encouraged to contribute to the development and implementation of social projects in their communities. This phase will provide an opportunity to practically apply the knowledge acquired during the training and further improve leadership skills. It is planned to initiate various projects, such as social campaigns, community events or assistance to socially vulnerable groups. By working in teams, participants will strengthen their sense of responsibility and ability to effectively cooperate in achieving common goals.

The third stage includes a symposium for leaders . During this event, teenagers and young people will have the opportunity to share their experiences and insights related to leadership, social responsibility and community. During the symposium, participating teams will present their implemented social projects, share their experiences and reveal how the application of leadership principles has helped them improve and have a positive impact on their communities. This event will be dedicated to reflecting on youth achievements, strengthening self-confidence and inspiring other young people.

During all stages of the project, methodological material will be collected and systematized . This material will be used for further work with young people, aiming to consistently develop their leadership skills and competencies.

Šiauliai City Municipality has allocated 3,000.00 euros in funding for the implementation of the project “Awaken the Power of a Leader”. It is expected that this project will become an important impetus for the leadership development of young Šiauliai residents and their active involvement in community life.

Danutė Kratukienė, Chairwoman of the Šiauliai Branch of the Lithuanian Samaritan Society

In 2024, the Lithuanian Samaritan Society, together with the Young Samaritan organizations, implemented the Šiauliai City Municipality Youth Initiatives Project “Know Your Neighbor Near You”. This project was aimed at adolescents and young people, with special attention paid to those who have fewer opportunities or are less motivated to engage in extracurricular and community activities.

During the project implementation, a camp was organized, which attracted great interest, and the number of participants was impressive: a total of 116 young people participated. The Young Samaritans actively contributed to the organization of the camp and invited their peers, especially those who experience social exclusion. The camp’s activity program was adapted to the needs and interests of the young people. During the camp, a friendly and supportive environment was created, in which the young people felt accepted and valued. The participants gained more confidence in themselves and their abilities, learned to communicate and cooperate better with others, and understood cultural, social, and personality differences and similarities.

The project organized engaging lectures aimed at developing various competences of the participants. In creative workshops, young people could express their creativity through art classes, theater classes and creative writing lessons. In social-emotional training, emotional intelligence skills were developed, young people learned to recognize and manage their emotions, avoid stereotypical attitudes, recognize their uniqueness and uniqueness, develop empathy and strengthen self-confidence and trust in others.

The project also helped reduce social exclusion, fostered community connections and integration. The methodological materials collected will be used further to develop youth competencies and organize trainings and seminars for teachers and youth leaders.

This project was a big step towards developing young people’s competences in informal settings and promoting their active participation in community life. The success and continuity of the project shows that we can achieve even more if we constantly look for different ways and forms of educating young people. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this project!

DANUTĖ KRATUKIENĖ,
Chairwoman of the Šiauliai branch of the Lithuanian Samaritan Society