2025 Officers Visit Poland

In July 2025 President, Christopher Nowotarski, Vice President, Steve Tokarski and Director Marian Grabowski traveled to Poland and set off on a 2-week non-stop schedule of visits and meetings with various organizations throughout Poland, that have been provided financial support from PACCF or that have requested support for the first time.  Most of the organizations they visited are focused on serving children and young adults with various levels of disabilities and handicaps, who might, otherwise, not be provided with the level of care and resources that their specific conditions require, without the support of organizations such as ours.

The officers literally crisscrossed Poland, visiting organizations in cities including Krakow, Tarnow, Przeworsk, Warsaw, Izabelin, Torun, Sobieszewo, Poznan and Kielce.

Below, we present highlights of their visits and meetings:

Dom Nadziei – House of Hope Krakow, Poland

This Association brings together families with children who have a certified physical, intellectual and/or coupling disability.  Since 2004, Dom Nadziei has been operating the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Center, offering free assistance for disabled children and adolescents in the field of specialized individual speech therapy, pedagogical, psychological and rehabilitation therapy.  

The PACCF has provided financial support to Dom Nadziei since 2022.  Their most recent request was for funding for interior upgrades and specialized learning tools for the ninety-five (95) children and adolescents who participate in their day program.  While this request had been approved by the PACCF Board of Directors at our June 2025 Meeting, President Nowotarski wanted to tell the Director, Renata Biernacik the good news in person.  She and her staff were grateful and elated.

Dom Pomocy Spolecznej dla Dzieci – Zgromadzenie Siostr Milosierdzia in Tarnow, Poland.

The PACCF has supported this live-in facility for psychologically and physically disabled individuals for many years.  They currently have over eighty (80) wards, many of whom are severely disabled, but some of whom have even participated in the Special Olympics and brought home Medals.  This facility is run by the Missionary Sisters with Sr. Lidia Lupa, Director at the helm.  Most of their requests for funding over the years have been for infrastructure upgrades, as the structures were built pre-WWII.  They accept individuals from just a few days old and are committed to providing care throughout the individual’s lifetime, if no other suitable options are available.  They provide excellent physical and occupational therapy, depending on specific needs. 

In honor of the PACCF Officers’ visit, a special performance of Little Red Riding Hood was put on (see video link below) and a tour of the occupational therapy wing reflected many handmade items that the residents produce under supervision.  Earlier this year an application for funding was approved by the PACCF Board of Directors for remodeling of the laundry rooms. Just prior to this visit, a second application was submitted, as the cost of this project slightly exceeded the funding initially requested. After a special vote was taken additional funding was granted to be ratified at the next regular Board Meeting in September 2025.  

The PACCF would like to acknowledge that many of the funds provided to this institution over the past ten (10) years have been made possible through the generous donations received from the Joseph Kaminski and Rose Kaminski Charitable Trusts. 

Dom Pomocy Spolecznej dla Doroslych – Przeworsk, Poland

This was the first visit by PACCF Officers, after having received a request for funding for infrastructure upgrades in 2024, which was put on hold until a physical visit could take place.  This facility is also run by the Missionary Sisters, with Sr. Joanna Sutowicz, Director.  Sr. Joanna had been the long-time Director of Dom Pomocy Spolecznej dla Dzieci in Tarnow, Poland and had recently been reassigned to this facility, which serves over ninety (90) adults with physical and psychological disabilities. During the visit, Sr. Joanna explained that the most pressing need for funding is for a new heating system as the current one is completely inoperable, and with the colder winter months just around the corner, the well-being of the residents is a top priority. After a special vote was taken by the majority of the PACCF Board of Directors, funding was granted to be ratified at the next regular Board Meeting in September 2025.

Laski – Izabelin, Poland

The PACCF has supported this foundation that was founded over 110 years ago for many years.  Laski provides care, educational services and training to the blind and sight impaired to best prepare the individuals to lead productive and full lives. They provide the art of lighting candles in a world of darkness and provide guidance towards a horizon never imagined. 

The Officers met with President Pawel Kacprzyk, Justyna Grochowska, Deputy Treasurer, and members of their staff to discuss current projects.  Earlier this year, the PACCF Board of Directors approved a request for funding for the modernization of their computer networks and server rooms and renovation of the rooms in the Technology Center.  This project is ongoing and when completed the PACCF will be provided with photos for posting on our website.  The Officers were given a tour of the Center and discussed future projects.

The PACCF would like to acknowledge that much of the funding provided to Laski has been through the generous donations received from the Majer Family Fund.

Fundacja Dzieciom Zdazyc z Pomoca – Warsaw, Poland

The PACCF has supported this foundation that provides rehabilitation services for children and adults with neurological, psychological and physical disabilities for over ten (10) years.  There are a total of three (3) centers under the foundation’s umbrella all of which are in Warsaw:  Amicus and Biomicus both treat children and adolescents, while Cemicus is focused on treating adults. 

The PACCF Officers met at the Biomicus facility with Katarzyna Rudny, Manager and her team to discuss current needs and future projects. In large part, the PACCF has provided funding for specialized rehabilitation equipment through the years.  They will be submitting an application for funding in the coming months for Board consideration, based on available funds.

Fundacja Challenge Europe – Warsaw, Poland & Kielce, Poland

This was the first visit by PACCF Officers, after having received a request for funding earlier this year. 

The Officers met with Dariusz Linde, Manager, to discuss the mission of the Foundation and current and future projects.  Fundacja Challenge Europe provides social services including legal assistance, career counseling and training, development workshops and social support programs to disabled, disadvantaged and those at risk of social exclusion for adolescents and adults from age 18.

It is quite a large organization, with branches in five (5) major cities within Poland.  It has not yet been determined whether the mission of this foundation is compatible with the mission of the PACCF, but future requests for funding will be considered by our Board and we applaud their vision & services and appreciate having had the opportunity to visit the facilities and speak directly to the management team.  

Zespol Szkol Nr. 26 – Torun, Poland

The PACCF has supported this primary school for many of its over thirty (30) years of having been established.  They provide education, therapy and rehabilitation to children with intellectual disabilities to enable their students to become the best version of themselves as they get older, with emphasis on customizing programs that best address the unique challenges faced by each of their individual students.  The Officers met with Director Maja Niewiadomska and her staff to discuss the completion of past projects funded by the PACCF, as well as anticipated future funding needs.  

The PACCF has provided funding for specialized equipment for the classrooms, therapeutic enhancements, as well as infrastructure renovations throughout the years. In the words of the Founder of the School, Rev. Józef Tischner (1931-2000), “What we give to others, we really give to ourselves.  Man is born to transcend himself one day.”  Zespol Szkol Nr. 26 conducts the daily operation of the school, with those words in mind, for the benefit of the students that enter through their doors.

Tow. Opieki Nad Ociemniałymi – Sobieszewo, Poland

The PACCF has supported the Preschool for the Blind for many years.  Recently, a need has been recognized that additional facilities were needed for older children and a major remodeling was undertaken of classrooms serving students in primary Grades 1-3, thanks to the funding provided by the PACCF, in large part, through donations received from the Majer Family Fund.  The Officers met with school representative Pani Halina Lewkowska to discuss plans to further expand the primary school to include additional grade levels, possibly up to 8th grade.  Future requests for funding will be considered as the project moves forward.

L’Arche Foundation – Poznan, Poland

This was the first visit by PACCF Officers in response to an application for funding that was received earlier this year.  L’Arche is a world-wide organization with supportive living homes for the intellectually disabled located in seven (7) cities across Poland.  The Officers met with Pani Karolina Kołodziejczyk and team to discuss their operation in Poznan, which includes three (3) supportive living homes for disabled adults and their assistants.  Two (2) of the homes offer permanent live-in accommodations, while the third home is utilized for short-term respite care stays.  While all the L’Arche facilities operate under the umbrella of the international headquarters based in Paris, France, certain fundraising goals must be generated by each branch.  Future applications will be considered by the PACCF Board if their mission is deemed to be in accordance with that of the PACCF.  It was a very enlightening meeting and visit to learn firsthand of the work being done by this fine organization worldwide.

Fundacją Mleko I Miod – Krakow, Poland  

Mleko i Mlod is a modest umbrella organization, headed by Mariusz Lopata, President that provides financial assistance to smaller grass-roots foundations that serve the severely intellectually and physically handicapped population in the Krakow area.  One such facility is Przestanek Betlehem, which is where the meeting between the PACCF Officers and Mr. Lopata took place.  Since 2023, the PACCF has provided funding for necessary infrastructure improvements to enhance the lives of the individuals whom this facility serves through their day-care program.  In addition, a new wing to provide short term respite care to the disabled enrolled in their day-care program, in order that their primary family caretakers have a few days of relief to tend to their own physical, medical and emotional needs was made possible through funding by the PACCF.   

The latest funding was to expand the community activity rooms, kitchen and bathroom facilities, which the Officers toured.  Also discussed were similar grass-roots facilities in need of funding that the Mleko I Miod Foundation have taken under their wing and additionally, the need for more sophisticated therapeutic equipment at Przestanek Betlehem. The Officers encouraged Mr. Lopata to apply for funding to be discussed by the PACCF Board of Directors at an upcoming Meeting.