SPARROW'S NEST INC

THE WORK OF SPARROW'S NEST CONTINUED THROUGH AUGUST OF 2025 WITH THE CARE AND PLACEMENT OF 22 CHILDREN IN RESIDENCE, 20 CRISIS FAMILIES SERVED, AND 20 REUNITED FAMILIES SUPPORTED WITH EDUCATION, MATERIAL NEEDS, AND COUNSELING. DURING 2025, WE HAD THE HELP OF 32 VOLUNTEERS WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND HELPING WITH CHANGES AND REPAIRS TO OUR FACILITY. IN AUGUST OF 2025, WE SAW THE PLACEMENT OF OUR LAST CHILD IN RESIDENCE. AFTER RECEIVING A LIST OF REQUIREMENTS FOR UPGRADING OUR FACILITY, INCLUDING HANDICAP ACCESSS FROM THE LATVIAN SOCIAL DEPARTMENT, WE WERE PUT IN THE POSITION TO EVALUATE THE COST OF IMPLEMENTING THESE REQUIREMENTS AND THE FEASABILITY OF THE WORK. THE FIRST STEP NEEDED WAS TO STOP RECEIVING NEW CHILDREN AND TO FIND APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT FOR THE RESIDENTIAL CHILDREN. ANY PROPOSED WORK ON THE BUILDING TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS NECESSITATED THAT THE BUILDING BE EMPTY AND FREE FOR THE REMODELING AND ADDITIONS. AT THIS TIME, IT APPEARS THAT THE CHANGES TO OUR EXISTING FACILITY ARE COST PROHIBITIVE. IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE NEW ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS WITH REQUIRED CHANGES CAN BE APPROVED BY THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT. FOR THESE REASONS, WE ARE NOW EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING OUR FARM PROPERTY FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE. THERE ARE SEVERAL ADVANTAGES TO THIS PROPERTY, INCLUDING LARGER GROUNDS AND THE ABILITY TO INCLUDE ANIMALS AND NATURE AS A PART OF THE CARE AND HEALING PROCESS OF CHILDREN IN TRAUMA. THERE ARE ALSO SOME CHALLENGES IN THE LOCATION THAT NEED TO BE MET AND OVERCOME. WE ARE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF PLANNING AND INVESTIGATING. THE BUILDING LOCATED IN JELGAVA HAS BEEN LISTED FOR SALE. ANY FUNDS FROM THE PROCEEDS OF THIS SALE WILL GO TO IMPROVING THE FACILITIES AT THE FARM. THE FIRST THREE ITEMS THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED ARE A NEW FENCE TO ENSURE SAFETY, A NEW HEATING SYSTEM TO OPERATE AS A FALL BACK WHEN AND IF THE WOODBURNING SYSTEM FAILS, AND THE REPAIR OF THE BANKS OF OUR SMALL LAKE SO THAT THERE IS NO MARSHY AREA, ONLY A FIRM BANK WHERE THE WATER CAN BE APPROACHED SAFELY AND USED FOR ACTIVITIES. WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE OUR OUTREACH TO FAMILIES IN CRISIS, REUNITED FAMILIES, AND PENSIONERS WHO NEED HELP WITH LIFE-SAVING MEDICATIONS AND PHYSICAL HELP. THIS IS A TIME OF UNEXPECTED TRANSITION AND REDEFINING OF SPARROW'S NEST'S ROLE IN SERVING ORPHANED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN IN LATVIA. 2026 WILL BE A YEAR OF DECISIONS AND NEW DIRECTIONS. AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE IN LATVIA, IT IS HELPFUL TO HAVE A CHANCE TO STOP, EVALAUTE OUR POSITION, AND ADJUST TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN CRISIS.