Our organization exists since 1992 and unites more than 50 people. The degree of each person's involvement in community life varies, and depends on their talents, education, profession, and life circumstances. Our staff consists of regular employees and volunteers who help with basic work in the community. We receive altruistic aid from builders, architects, designers, lawyers, film directors, photographers and others.
Every day members of our organization voluntarily and free of charge care for seriously ill patients at the Mariinsky hospital of St.-Petersburg and distribute food and clothes to the poor and homeless. We purchase medicine, groceries, and personal care items for patients. We have organized a small library for patients. We also render monetary aid to the hospital: With about 100,000 euro received through various projects and collected from donations, we have provided the hospital medical equipment, medicines, personal care items, bed linens, mattresses, and blankets. Additionally, we have a tradition of handing out gifts to patients and hospital staff on Christmas and Easter.
In 1999 our organization opened an almshouse for sick and elderly women in a regular two-room apartment. But there were many more old people who needed help, particularly those who had survived the Leningrad Blockade. Our patronage service operates nonstop, providing help to the elderly in their own homes. In 2009 we opened a new establishment in Leningrad oblast: the Pokrovsky home for 35 elderly and disabled persons under the care of the state. A farm building on site has been renovated to house domesticated animals. Our establishment is medically licensed, and our sisterhood provides care under the supervision of doctors.
In 2005 the Pokrovskaya community organized a small (8 person) shelter for homeless disabled people where they can live while be registered at boarding houses. While living at the shelter, they receive rehabilitation through work therapy and art therapy. The priest visits regularly.
We also run Omophor, an artistic, socio-charitable studio, the goal of which is to create educational audio and video programs. Two documentary films have been released, and two books about charity have been published.
Our organization exists only on donations.
