United Way Romania and global law firm Dentons announce the successful conclusion of their two-year 18.0 Unrevoked program, which provided support and guidance to young people aged 18 to 26, exiting the social care system, to help them integrate into society and the job market with confidence.
Thanks to a donation of over €67,000 from the Dentons Europe Foundation, the program was able to offer a wide range of services to disadvantaged young people from Bucharest and Ilfov, Romania. These services included long-term counseling, vocational training, career guidance, financial education, and material support. Through professional counseling sessions and company visits, the participants had the opportunity to develop their social and professional skills while building valuable networks for future opportunities.
A key aspect of the project was the collaboration with companies from various sectors, which provided the youth with opportunities to visit their offices and learn about their operations, as well as internships. Dentons hosted five of these visits, and provided internships within the firm for two law students.
As a result of the project 18.0 Unrevoked:
• 70 institutionalised youth, aged 18-26, benefited from a comprehensive program focused on personal development and career guidance.
• 25 of them participated in qualification courses or were supported in continuing their studies through tuition payments.
• 39 young people were employed during the project, with 16 successfully maintaining long-term employment.
• 11 office visits took place at various companies, five of which were hosted by Dentons.
• All 70 young people received ongoing material support, tailored to their needs as identified by the project team, such as: shopping card to purchase basic food, clothing, footwear, hygiene products, pay for medical consultations, pay for qualification courses, school fees, etc.
• Over 100 additional disadvantaged youth participated in vocational counseling sessions and personal and professional development workshops.
“We are happy that our partnership with United Way Romania on the “18.0 Unrevoked” program achieved so much and helped make a real difference in the lives of the young people involved. I firmly believe that community support has the power to transform lives, and long-term involvement is crucial in giving vulnerable individuals the chance to find their path. Through this program, we’ve had the privilege of standing by these young people, helping them build a more secure future and gain the confidence and skills they need to achieve their goals and dreams,” said Ionela Stan, who initiated and coordinated the “18.0 Unrevoked” project at Dentons.
“Over the past two years, our strong partnership with Dentons has made a meaningful difference in the careers of young people raised in vulnerable conditions. Through the valuable experiences they gained and the inspiring role models they encountered, these young individuals are now stepping into adulthood equipped with greater knowledge and increased confidence in their ability to succeed. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dentons and all companies who contributed to this project for empowering these youths on their journey toward an independent life!” – Adriana Dobrea, Executive Director of United Way Romania.
