An absolute premiere on the Romanian publishing market is scheduled for Wednesday evening, when The Social Incubator Association, with the support of Niculescu Publishing House, launches the volume entitled “Portraits of Courage”, a collection of stories about 100 institutionalized young people who found their way in life thanks to the support received from kind-hearted and visionary people.
The 100 life stories in the book that will be launched on Wednesday, April 9, at 6:30 PM, at Arcub Gabroveni (Str. Lipscani 84-90, map), are just a part of the thousands of individual stories that mark the ten years since The Social Incubator Association (TSI) has been supporting the socio-professional integration of institutionalized young people, through educational, mobility and social entrepreneurship projects.
The book “Portraits of Courage” was created by The Social Incubator Association with the help of the V+O Communication agency, and Niculescu Publishing House voluntarily took over the entire editing and marketing of this unique collection of life stories. You can order the volume “Portraits of Courage” online here.
“This editorial approach is a heartfelt one, because what the people at The Social Incubator are doing is extraordinary. They are giving these young people the chance that almost no one else has offered them. That is why, when they proposed the project, we agreed and got involved. We want these stories to be read by as many Romanians as possible, either to be inspired by them or to decide to contribute, in turn, to the association’s projects,” says Andrei Niculescu, general director of Niculescu Publishing House.
The common denominator of these stories is the tenacity with which the young people followed their calling, refusing to resign themselves to a prefabricated destiny. They searched, they explored, they sometimes failed, but they didn’t stop until they found that something that ignites their inner spark, transforming work into passion and life into an authentic expression of their unique potential. They are young people who have found their vocation and a job in fields such as music, cooking, IT, social work, cosmetics, practice liberal professions or study at prestigious educational institutions abroad.
“The help given by the over 50 national and international companies allowed us to develop strategic programs that generate a real impact both for the vulnerable young people we support and for our partners. We have had a positive impact on over 65,000 young people across the country, in these ten years, helping them integrate into society and the labour market,” says Ionuț Pascu, founding member of The Social Incubator Association.
“I want to thank the 100 young people, whose stories you will read, for their openness and for accepting to help us inspire even more young people who may not yet have found the resources to succeed. The power of example is unlimited. And the desire to succeed, often despite all appearances, is what characterizes each of the heroes of the volume Portraits of Courage”, says Adriana Preda, General Director of The Social Incubator Association.
The proceeds from the sale of the book “Portraits of Courage” will contribute to financing the association’s main program, #tinerideviitor, which supports institutionalized young people and those from vulnerable backgrounds, aged between 16 and 26, in the process of socio-professional integration, through a range of personalized interventions aimed at guiding them not only towards a job, but towards a professional path that will ensure their long-term independence.
Through its customized programs, The Social Incubator offers a comprehensive range of services to support young people from vulnerable backgrounds, especially those in institutionalized settings, including support in continuing their studies, career guidance services, labour market integration, psycho-emotional support, vocational training courses, internships, mentoring, coaching, access to financing and professional networking opportunities.
This approach allows young participants to transform their potential into opportunity, become independent and build an educational and professional path adapted to their potential/profile. Furthermore, the social entrepreneurship component is very strong, and we support young social entrepreneurs to refine their business models, strengthen their leadership skills and build a solid foundation for long-term success.