Ala Roșcovanu, Director of the Ustia Youth Center: "Young people need more role models and worthy examples to succeed"

This is the professional journey that Ala Roscovanu, the director of the Youth Center in the village of Ustia, Dubasari district, is slowly but confidently navigating. She says she has always enjoyed being surrounded by young people, and alongside them, she feels very well. 'I have always tried to be friends with young people, to understand their needs, to encourage them, to make them feel important, regardless of family situation, grades, or talent. I try to discover everything beautiful in them,' our heroine emphasizes.

Ala is an example where numbers, art, dedication, and passion harmoniously intertwine. Her first specialization is accounting. After working in this field for a few years, she realized that she wanted to do something completely different. Having a special passion for manual work, namely crocheting, she decided that she needed higher education and enrolled in the pedagogy faculty. She obtained her bachelor's degree at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design at ''Ion Creanga'' State Pedagogical University, and currently, she is a master's student in the same faculty. 'I like to create works with my own hands,' Ala mentions. The experience gained in the pedagogical field has contributed to the development of a friendly and collaborative approach, encouraging teamwork and participation in various activities and projects with her students.

'I have always been the teacher-friend.'

Being passionate about working with young people and wanting to contribute to the development of the community where she lives, on September 1, 2022, Ala Roșcovanu became the head of the Youth Center in her hometown, the village of Ustia, Dubăsari district. Together with a group of young people, she arranged a space provided by the Cultural House in the locality and transformed it into a comfortable and friendly place for all young people. 'I wanted the teenagers in our community to have their corner, where they could implement various ideas and simply feel good,' Ala says.

The Ustia Youth Center has become the village's calling card.

From September 2022 to the present, Ala Roșcovanu has made every effort for the Ustia Youth Center to become not only a development space for the youth in the locality but also a calling card for the village, a source of inspiration for the entire community.' Over 250 young people have crossed the threshold of the Center in just one year of activity. Young people come here because they find many useful services, including volunteer opportunities, vocational guidance, activities for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, opportunities for civic engagement, and more. Thanks to her studies in the economic field, Ala Roșcovanu writes projects and develops budgets, actively involving the youth. So far, they have successfully implemented over 30 projects and joint activities.

Recently, the Youth Center also launched the 'Youth Voice' Media Club, being one of the #YouCreate 2023 initiatives. Through this project, the team aims to make the voices of young people heard in the community. ''All projects and initiatives have had a positive impact, providing young people with warmth, self-confidence, and opportunities to actively engage in community life,'' emphasized the Youth Center director.

Ala Roșcovanu also says that non-formal education from Youth Centers complements the knowledge teenagers acquire in the school environment, contributing to their personal growth, career development, and civic involvement. ''Through activities in this educational context, young people have the opportunity to significantly develop their skills and competencies in areas they are passionate about, such as art, digital skills, social skills, and communication skills.''

'For the next years of activity, I have big plans.'

Speaking about the future, Ala says she has grand plans. ''I hope to increase the budget; to provide a comfortable space for everyone by building a ramp for people with disabilities; to offer young people a diverse range of new and quality services; to increase the number of teenagers who visit us; to host as many NGOs, organizations, and workshops as possible; to offer a tea break to young people who daily cross our threshold after lessons, and last but not least, to change for the better the quality of life for young people in our community,'' mentioned the Youth Center director.

The director of the Youth Center in Ustia says that the active participation of young people in community life represents a fundamental human right. Through active participation, young people play a very important role not only in their development but also in contributing to the development of the community where they live. By actively engaging in various activities, the younger generation develops life skills, accumulates knowledge about human rights, and, last but not least, promotes positive civic actions. ''I urge all young people to be as active as possible, to participate in volunteer activities, to come to Youth Centers,'' concluded Ala Roșcovanu."