Great News!!

The Teen House aka Social Center in Valenii de Munte is finally finished and occupied.  Despite construction delays, bad weather, and bureaucratic snafus, the teenage girls and five housemothers (working shifts) have moved into the beautiful new residence only one mile from the high school.  The Tanases have taken a “shakedown cruise” approach to occupancy with the boys to follow as finishing touches are put on the boys’ wing and all the administrative kinks of life in the new facility are worked out.  Mihail has sent a number of pictures which I will be posting to the Gallery on our website.

Mihail also noted that the building’s completion would not have been possible without AFPVO’s financial support so congratulations and many thanks to all of you whose donations made this possible.  Living in town, so close to the high school, will be a tremendous improvement in the lives of all the teenage residents and become their new “home to return to” for Pro Vita’s young people even after they graduate and go off to university, technical school, and employment.

Help us build the Economic Trampoline

Now it’s time to ask for donations for the 2016-2017 building priority — expansion of the social enterprise facilities to enable adults and older teens to gain employable skills that will lead to economic independence.  Thanks to a few very generous donors, several thousand dollars have already been received against our goal of $25,000.  Board members contributed $20,000 initially, reducing our challenge from $45,000 to $25,000.  The total amount is estimated to cover the demolition of one of the old buildings on the site in Valenii de Munte and the construction of an expanded sewing facility as well as the development and construction of a new metal-working enterprise. Four more women have already joined the sewing enterprise, but current quarters are extremely cramped, and further expansion is simply not feasible.

If you haven’t been a past donor, please consider helping AFPVO and Pro Vita accomplish this goal with a donation of any amount.  Checks made out to AFPVO are preferred as PayPal and GoFundMe both charge us a processing fee.  With your check you are confident that 100% of your donation goes directly to Pro Vita for this building campaign.  The AFPVO Board continues to cover all administrative expenses.  Your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Donors of $500 or more will receive a beautiful pillow cover donated by the sewing enterprise (while supplies on hand last).  Those donors who are able to give $1000 or more will also be recognized on a plaque in the new building.  But – the important thing is to be a donor at any amount.  We would love to see a larger number of our Newsletter subscribers become Pro Vita donors.  As we learned during our May 2016 visit, AFPVO is the largest  foreign financial donor to Pro Vita.  Your contributions make the difference in keeping construction projects moving along if not strictly on schedule (It is Romania, after all).  If we can guarantee the needed $25,000 in advance of the expenditures, Mihail Tanase can negotiate better deals with his suppliers and focus his efforts on obtaining in-kind and cash donations from Romanian companies and individuals who supply almost 90% of Pro Vita’s annual operating budget.

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach (all too quickly), please consider including Pro Vita in your charitable giving for 2016.  As several of our long-time donors have said:

“I donate to Pro Vita to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate people.  I also trust that my money is well spent.” (Dr. Roxana V., KS);

“The Pro Vita project in Romania is a worthy, unique cause and the donations go a long way. . . We are thankful to have a non-profit organization here in the US that makes sure our donations reach the amazing Pro Vita project.  AFPVO gives Americans a chance to make a difference.” (Nargis A., CO)

“As Christians we strive to live the Gospel in a tangible way — contributing to Pro Vita through AFPVO.  Since the contributions go directly to Pro Vita and are 100% tax-deductible it’s a win-win situation for all parties.” (Leigh and Dennis M., VA)

Please join these and other committed supporters to help build the Economic Trampoline and make a difference in the lives of the over 500 residents at Pro Vita.  Checks to AFPVO can be mailed to:

AFPVO

10005 Donal Lane

Vienna,VA 22181

Thanking you in advance for your generosity,

Donna, Frank, Fr. Sean, and John (The AFPVO Board)