Social justice is more than another handout. Social justice empowers those being served in addressing the societal issues/injustices that underlie the presenting problem.

Jako doma-Homelike, is an NGO for vulnerable women in Prague, Czech Republic. In 2012, the founders set out to find out why some women did not have a place to call home, who they were and how could they be helped.  They developed a narrative research project called Back From the Bottom: Focus on Women that recorded the personal stories of homeless women. They set up a campaign to bring the issue of female homelessness to the larger society and break the stigma of homelessness.

Violence against women, starting in childhood, is the number one cause of female homelessness around the world. Violence at critical life stages prevents a girl from learning the skills she needs to survive and care for herself as an adult. Lack of healthy men in her life puts her at risk of dependency on abusers when she becomes an adult.

Jako doma set up several projects to address violence to women in difficult social situations.  They worked with national and international NGOs, i.e. legal counselors, shelters, social workers, and sex worker support groups to create a complex support system. In addition to aiding women without homes with administrative issues such as debts, housing, public assistance, or removal of a child, they created a safe and secure space for them, where they could meet, relax and spend time together.

Why Jako doma is unique as a service provider to women without children.

• Trauma-sensitive approach –Trauma affects mental and physical health, causes a permanent feeling of threat and a tendency to use drugs and alcohol. Organizations and authorities that do not take trauma into account perceive traumatized people as problematic and uncooperative, which leads to their exclusion and re-traumatization.

Jako doma’s Community Center offers women respite from the streets, a safe place to rest and socialize, take a shower, wash their clothes, eat a nutritious lunch, pick up a bag of food, get links to government services, counseling, and medical care. With time and continued support, some women will eventually join the work force, but others will always need a supportive subsidized work situation.

Jako doma’s mission, goals and programs are consistent with UU values; that is why IUCP supports them and donates money on a regular basis.

Barbara Woodard, IUCP (Prague Fellowship) and EUU Social Action Committee