WORKSHOP LED BY KRISTINA SOARES
Kristina Soares is currently a Project Manager for Izeba Gipuzkoa at the Baketik Foundation: Family Support Program for Supervised Minors, comanaged with the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa.

About her training:
– Diploma in Social Work. UPV-EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz
– Training in Psychotherapy. Center for Psychotherapy and Family Study, San Sebastián.
– Master in Mediation and Conflict Resolution (UNIR). Specialization in Family Mediation. (GV)
– Training in Culture of Peace, Coexistence and Human Rights
– Training in Social Volunteering for the attention to children and adolescents at risk.

ABSTRACT
The Izeba Project was designed in order to create voluntary foster figures-izebas, such as uncles or aunts, for minors who, for several reasons, live separated from their families of origin and are under the protection of Gipuzkoa’s Provincial Council. It is a solidary project that aims to contribute to the wellbeing of these minors through the support provided by the voluntary foster figures-izebas mentioned previously. This program is gestionated by Baketik Fundation.

Interviews have been conducted with the professionals working in different foster homes, the voluntary foster figures-izebas and the minors participating in the project in order to critically reflect on the project and promote its better functioning.

Practical experience shows the important role the voluntary foster figures-izebas play in the wellbeing of the minors as these minors are provided with support, affection, containment and are also given possibilities to structure their lives. In fact, the personal bonds created between the voluntary foster figures-izebas and the minors, sometimes, are modified as the voluntary foster figures-izebas role changes from been supportive to becoming tutors of resilience.