STORY ABOUT POLŽ

Public social welfare institute Day care and work centre POLŽ Maribor (Slovenian abbreviation is VDC POLŽ Maribor) was established on 26th October 1993 by the Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs at the initiative of the Maribor Association for Mentally Challenged Persons.

POLŽ is an acronym that carries the message: Providing a meaningful life to mentally disabled persons (in Slovenian: Prizadetim Osmislimo Leta Življenja).

Upon its establishment in the year 1993, the centre took care of 8 users, while operating temporarily in the offices of the Association.

One year later the centre's activities took place on two temporary locations including 18 users.

In 1995 the centre moved to the new location on Rapočeva Street 13. The premises were rented for free from the Municipality of Maribor. Renovation and adaptation of the location was financed by the founder, while numerous donators provided all the necessary equipment. The building could provide space for 45 users and at that time the centre employed 11 staff members.

In January 1997 the second day care unit was founded; together the two units offered services for 105 users.

In July 1998 the first dwelling community was established in Maribor.

In January 2004 VDC Mravlja Lenart was affiliated to VDC POLŽ Maribor and became their third day care unit. The same year VDC POLŽ Maribor opened also the fourth day care unit in Slovenska Bistrica.

In September 2004 the fifth day care unit of VDC POLŽ Maribor was opened in Ruše.

In October 2006 the sixth day care unit of VDC POLŽ Maribor opened its gate in Šentilj.

In November 2006 the second dwelling community of VDC POLŽ Maribor was opened in Ruše.

In April 2008 nearly all day care activities in Maribor and the Head Office moved into the new regional centre located at Park Mladih 4, while Day Care Unit Rapočeva in Maribor became a separated unit and was adapted for the users who need more guidance and assistance in their daily routines.

In June 2008 Day Care Unit Slovenska Bistrica moved into new modern premises.

In October 2009 VDC POLŽ Maribor is the regional centre and one of the largest organizations of this kind in Slovenia with more than 80 staff members and more than 220 users.

A new housing unit in Maribor is in the process of creation.