Overview of Life Foundation for Development and Community Reintegration – LFDCI

Establishment and Vision

Life Foundation for Development and Community Reintegration (LFDCI) was established as a private non-profit organization in June 2015, stemming from a visionary initiative launched in 2013. It was driven by a dedicated team that recognized the critical role of social and psychological programs in facilitating the integration of marginalized communities.

Community-Based Rehabilitation

LFDCI has embraced the concept of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) as the foundation for its interventions within the community. The organization places a strong emphasis on child , adolescent  and women protection, life skills development, legal and economic empowerment, environmental initiatives, and academic support. Its work predominantly focuses on women, children, adolescents, survivors of sexual, domistec  violence,  exprisonera , refugees under legal penalties, and individuals affected by HIV , Small manufacturers, disabled people and rural women .

Operational Philosophy

The core of LFDCI’s operational model revolves around principles of human dignity and gender equality, promoting sustainable economic development through comprehensive economic literacy, and disseminating knowledge. The foundation is dedicated to fostering holistic rehabilitation and integration efforts, aimed at empowering women, children, youth, and vulnerable segments of society. A key facet of the foundation’s ethos is its unwavering commitment to addressing the unique legal requirements of victims. This is achieved through the provision of specialized support services and facilitating comprehensive integration. Strategically, the foundation’s policies and operational protocols are grounded in principles of ethics, transparency, legal compliance, and the safeguarding of human rights. LFDCI operates within a legal framework, steadfastly upholding religious freedom, accountability, autonomy, and self-management.

Achievements and Governance

Since its inception in 2015, LFDCI has established a comprehensive range of regulatory structures, including a 5-year strategic plan, financial management guidelines, an Adaptive Life Skills Program, a Legal Support Guide for women and immigrants, a Signature Authority Guide, Privacy and Information Policy, Policies and Internal Procedures Guide, Foundational Work Ethics Guide, an Archiving Program and Integrated Information System (LMIS), Operational Manual for the Program Framework Guide, an Evaluation and Follow-up Plan, and the “Bet Haya” Operational Guide to Hosting Center for Battered Women. Furthermore, the organization’s task force has received training in civil society organizations’ best practices to contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The foundation boasts a technical team composed of executive management, unit administrators, program managers, training consultants, economic empowerment experts, quality management specialists, and an accounting team consisting of a financial manager, an account manager, a senior accountant, a treasurer, a bursar, all of whom operate under a system of oversight and institutional governance.

Dedicated Team

Team members at LFDCI are highly dedicated individuals deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of survivors of assault and those lacking rehabilitation support. They are passionate about making a positive impact and bringing about change in the lives of survivors. Team members possess a diverse range of skills and expertise, including legal knowledge, counseling and therapy qualifications, research and advocacy experience, community engagement skills, and project management abilities. This diversity ensures they can effectively address the multifaceted needs of survivors. It is worth noting that LFDCI places a strong emphasis on safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of survivors. Team members are trained to maintain professional boundaries and adhere to strict ethical guidelines when handling sensitive information. The primary focus is always on providing the best support and services to survivors, respecting their rights and ensuring their safety. In summary, team members in organizations like LFDCI are compassionate and dedicated individuals working tirelessly to protect and support their target groups. They possess the necessary skills, expertise, and passion to make a positive impact in the lives of survivors and contribute to the broader mission of safeguarding others.

Programs and Departments

The foundation operates through various departments and programs, which include:

• Rehabilitation, Integration, and Community Extension Department.
• Legal Support – Psychological – Social Department: Offering specialized programs for former prisoners under the law, including Syrian citizens, refugees, Palestinians, Africans, and Sudanese, with a focus on women.
• Economic Empowerment Department: Comprising coexistence operation programs, project support (craft/private), employment (traditional/green), entrepreneurship, and value chains.
• Performing and Creative Arts Department: Involving art therapy programs, handicrafts, theatre, storytelling, visual documentation.
• Health Awareness Department: Including medical caravan programs, health support for therapeutic nutrition and reproductive health, and remittances programs that include state support and specialized remittances programs for addiction and AIDS.
• Training, Awareness, and Advocacy Department: Encompassing the volunteerism program, training, safe housing services, advocacy, and lobbying partnerships.
• Research, Studies, and Gender-Based Violence Department: Focused on producing reports, research, and studies on the foundation’s programs, the results of its interventions, and the fight against all forms of societal and professional violence.

Interventions

The foundation’s interventions from 2015 to 2023 include:

• Shelter Interventions through Hosting Center “Bet Haya”: Providing psychological, legal, health, and crafts training interventions for 250 women hosted in the center from 2019 to 2023, including former women prisoners and migrant women under legal penalties and family problems.
• Social Rehabilitation and Housing Services: Offered by a social worker, home visits, and documentation specialists, shelter case guidance and monitoring specialists.
• Social Development Services (SDS): Focusing on housing and safe housing, healthcare provision, family relations and integration within the family environment of the cases dealt with, and access to social rights such as literacy, insurance, and pension services. Providing 2,500 social rehabilitation services, including housing services, financial assistance, in-kind grants for small and micro-enterprises, home visits, and more.
• Economic Empowerment Services: Involving income generation activities, employment, special projects/entrepreneurship, value chains, and more. Providing services in 2,500 cases, including living assistance, micro-projects, training support, driver’s licenses, external recruitment services, and handicrafts training.
• Psychological Rehabilitation Interventions: Offered by a psychosocial support team and incorporating psychiatric assessment services, individual psychiatric sessions, group sessions, art therapy, addiction conversion services, and support for cohabitants of AIDS patients. These services have been provided to over 4,300 cases.
• Legal Support Services: Managed through a unit manager and legal experts, the program focuses on raising awareness, assisting in accessing rights, and addressing overall legal aid requirements. The foundation has provided legal services to over 5,700 citizens, former prisoners, and immigrants under the law.
• Performing and Creative Arts Program: Encompassing art therapy programs, handicrafts, theater, storytelling, visual documentation, origami art, and motion text lab to creatively document and monitor activities..
• – Awareness Campaigns :
• LFDCI –  has developed and implemented extensive awareness campaigns to educate the public, parents, caregivers, about the signs of childhood, women with sexual and   Domestic   violence, its impact, and prevention strategies.
• These campaigns often include workshops, seminars, community events, and media outreach to spread awareness and foster dialogue.
• Prevention Programs in Schools: LFDCI – has collaborated with educational institutions to implement age-appropriate prevention programs in schools. These programs focus on teaching children about personal boundaries, consent, healthy relationships, and safe online behaviors. They empower children with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to potential risks.
• Training for Professionals: LFDCI – provides specialized training to professionals working closely with children, such as teachers, healthcare providers, social workers, and law enforcement personnel. These trainings help professionals identify signs of abuse, respond appropriately, and provide support or referrals for victims and their families.
• Hotlines and Helplines: LFDCI – has established hotlines or helplines to provide confidential support and guidance for survivors of childhood, women  sexualand   Domestic   violence and their families. These helplines offer crisis support, information about available resources, and referrals to relevant aid services.
• Advocacy: LFDCI – has been actively engaged in advocating for policy changes to better protect children and survivors of childhood, women  with sexual and  Domestic   violence. They work with lawmakers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to push for comprehensive legislation, improved reporting mechanisms, and enhanced support services for survivors.
• Support Services: LFDCI – offers a wide range of support services, including counseling, therapy, legal assistance, and medical support, to survivors and their families. These services are crucial in helping survivors heal and rebuild their lives after experiencing childhood, women  with sexual and  Domestic   violence.
• Research and Data Collection: LFDCI – conducts research and collect data to better understand the prevalence and impact of childhood, women  with sexual and  Domestic   violence. This data is used to inform policy, develop prevention strategies, and advocate for the rights and protection
• 8- Life has conducted awareness campaigns to reduce societal stigma against former prisoners, victims of violence, and individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). In March 2022, a helpline was launched to provide support for those experiencing stress, anxiety, psychological pressure, depression, and other mental health disorders due to societal stigma associated with socially unacceptable diseases.
• The helpline features a team of mental health specialists who offer assessment and support for callers in four main categories: children, parents, adults, and seniors, as well as frontline healthcare workers in Sharqia, Dakahlia, and Alexandria governorates.
• The aim of the helpline is to provide accessible support for individuals in need of care and advice to confront and reduce stigma and discrimination. In January 2023, community awareness campaigns were conducted in villages in Sharqia governorate to promote clearer understanding and acceptance of former prisoners, victims of sexual violence, and those with HIV

Specialized Programs

LFDCI runs specialized programs, such as the LFDCI Program for . Refugees, Sudanese, Africans, and Syrians. These programs primarily serve refugees in the governorates of Sharkia, Alexandria, Qalyubia, Dakahlia, Cairo, and Giza, with a strong focus on Sharkia and Alexandria due to the higher concentration of refugees. These programs assist impoverished . refugees, Sudanese, Africans, and Syrians who face legal, social, family, psychological, and economic integration challenges. The foundation promotes the development and self-reliance of disadvantaged community members, particularly women, children, youth, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly.

LFDCI’s social safety initiatives provide quarterly in-kind food and cash assistance to approximately 3,200 .,  Small manufacturers, disabled people and rural women , with a particular focus on women.

The foundation has recently refined its targeting approach based on socioeconomic surveys, ensuring that the poor and vulnerable are at the heart of the program. LFDCI also offers targeted services for women, youth, and individuals with disabilities, aiming to enhance their opportunities for a better future by building their knowledge, potential, and assets.

From 2015 to 2023, this program has supported 3,200 refugees in Egypt, including women, youth, and with disabilities. The services encompass training, apprenticeships, rehabilitation, and awareness-raising activities. Specialized services are also provided to support persons with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence, facilitating their rehabilitation, community integration, and the necessary interventions for full integration.

LFDCI operates a microcredit community support program, providing loans for start-ups or business expansion. This fosters economic development and job creation within the  refugee  and Sexually , domestically abused and ex- prisoners women  with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).”community.

Housing loans are also offered to improve the living conditions of  Small manufacturers, disabled people and rural women , addressing longstanding issues of poor housing conditions and housing shortages. The program has supported loans, contributing to the creation or preservation of 1,500 jobs.

The majority of supported businesses are in the services sector, followed by small industry.

The foundation’s Beit Al-Hayat shelter serves as a safe haven for Sexually and domestically abused and ex- prisoners women  with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).”.women, offering comprehensive legal, social, psychological, economic, and health interventions until full integration is achieved.

Financial SupportLFDCI’s commitment to its mission is evident in its increasing financial support over the years:

• Total expenditure in 2017: 1,394,796 EGP.
• Total expenditure in 2018: 2,095,552 EGP.
• Total expenditure in 2019: 2,871,624 EGP.
• Total expenditure in 2020: 3,598,788 EGP.
• Total expenditure in 2021: 4,117,549 EGP.
• Total expenditure in 2022: 3,752,411 EGP.
• Total expenditure in 2023 : 1394796

The foundation has positively impacted a significant number of beneficiaries through its various programs, offering a wide array of support services and interventions, all aimed at fostering the well-being and development of marginalized communities, women, children, survivors of sexual violence, refugees, and those affected by HIV.

In summary, LFDCI is a dedicated institution that empowers marginalized communities, particularly women and children, through a holistic approach that integrates social, psychological, legal, and economic support. It is a beacon of hope for survivors of sexual violence, refugees, and those suffering from HIV, striving for a better, more inclusive future.