History of Nochlezhka

List of historical facts

• 1990

  Creation of the Nochlezhka Foundation by Valery Sokolov and a group of like-minded people concerned about the plight of homeless people and people

  In  Leningrad, due to food shortages, a rationing system has been introduced. Food cards were not issued to the homeless and people without a “propiska”. Nochlezhka got the city administration to make a decision to issue cards to the homeless for basic foodstuffs.

• 1991

  Nochlezhka sought the abolition of articles 198 and 209 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which criminalized vagrancy, begging and parasitism.

• 1992

  Opening a prototype Consulting Service in the basement, on Pushkinskaya, 10. Anyone in need could get advice from a lawyer and a social worker, get clothes. In a separate room there is a shelter for the disabled, for 7 people. Today, about 40-50 people apply to Nochlezhka's Advisory Service every day.

  Nochlezhka introduced the practice of "alternative registration" of the homeless: issuance of a certificate certifying that the Nochlezhka organization considers the person to be homeless. The certificate contains a photo of a homeless person, a stamp and signature of a Nochlezhka employee and is recognized by many state authorities.institutions as a document that replaces an identity card. Such a certificate is necessary while the restoration of lost documents is in progress. To date, more than 63,000 such certificates have been issued.

• 1993

  In the same place, on Pushkinskaya, 10, the city's first charity canteen for the homeless was opened.

  We initiated the creation of polling stations for voting by citizens of the Russian Federation who do not have registration at the federal level elections in St. Petersburg and other regions of the country. Although in insufficient numbers, but sections have been created.

• 1994

  The newspaper "Na Dne" was founded. Also, the publication was published in a magazine version called "The Way Home". The main goal of the magazine is to help the homeless return to society and provide them with the opportunity to legally earn money (any homeless person can become a distributor of the newspaper). 

• 1995

  Nochlezhka took part in the development and initiated the adoption by the executive and legislative authorities of St. Petersburg of a package of legal acts aimed at solving the problem of homelessness. Documents adopted by the government of St. Petersburg in 1997, including the law "On the Prevention of Homelessness in St. Petersburg" and the corresponding social program, which was in effect until 2000.

  Moving Nochlezhka to Sinopskaya Embankment, 25.

• 1996

  Creating a prototype on the Sinop embankment Shelter< /span>.

• 1997

  In the course of the reorganization, the Nochlezhka Charitable Foundation becomes Nochlezhka's charitable organization.

  For the first time, the "Homeless Handbook" was published - a pocket guide for a homeless person with the necessary information: where to eat, spend the night, get social and legal assistance.

• 2000

  The halfway house rehabilitation project has been opened - a separate room in the shelter of Nochlezhka is now reserved for homeless people suffering from alcohol addiction. Rehabilitation is carried out according to the 12-step program. Every year, about 20 people undergo rehabilitation, of which at least 70% have a positive long-term result - they got rid of addiction, found housing and work.

• 2002

  Launched Night Bus  is a minibus that travels around the city and feeds those in need. Each evening, bus volunteers distribute an average of 150-200 servings of hot food. In addition to eating on the bus, you can get social counseling and medical assistance.

• 2004

  With the participation of the organization, a new city program “For the Prevention of Homelessness” was created and adopted for execution.

• 2005

  Moving Nochlezhka to the building on Borovaya 112B. Now here is the largest rehabilitation shelter in the city (for 52 places), the Counseling Service, the Cultural Laundry (Borovaya, 116) and the office of the organization.

  The "Homeless Handbook", first published by Nochlezhka in 1997, is being published once again. Since this year, the publication has become an annual edition.

• 2007

  Nochlezhka launches second Night Bus plying the southern districts of the city

• 2008

  With the active participation of Nochlezhka's specialists, a three-year program to prevent homelessness in St. Petersburg is being developed. The program is accepted by the Government of St. Petersburg.

  Under the auspices of Boris Grebenshchikov, a concert in support of the homeless is being held in the Lensovet House of Culture. Billy's band, Markscneider Kunst and Spleen also take part in the concert.

  In autumn, the Danish Princess visits the orphanage on Borovaya.

• 2009

  Opening the first Heating station - a large heated tent for 50 people, where during the cold season the homeless get a place to sleep, food, help from social and medical workers. At that time it was the only heating point in Russia for homeless people. Since the launch of the project, Nochlezhka has been actively promoting the idea of opening Heating Points in every district of the city.

  "Handbook of the homeless" is beginning to be published not only in St. Petersburg. The regions have seized the initiative.

• 2011

  Due to lack of funding, instead of two old minibuses delivering hot meals to those in need, one new car was purchased and a new Night Bus route was laid, now traveling from south to north of the city at four stops.

  It is possible to simultaneously launch two Heating Points in St. Petersburg at once. Similar tents appear in other regions of Russia - Kaliningrad and Vladimir.

  Thanks to the perseverance and daily work of our lawyers and social workers, written complaints, round tables and negotiations with relevant committees, since September 2011, people without registration can get a compulsory medical insurance policy (Thanks to this, by 2016 more than 28 thousand people were able to get a medical policy and, respectively, medical care).

  Social worker Valentina Maryanovna Boreyko, working in Nochlezhka since 1992, awarded with the badge of the Governor of St. Petersburg "For Mercy".

• 2012

  The first charity music festival took place NochlezhkaFest in support of homeless people - Boris Grebenshchikov, DDT, Zorge and Marksheider Kunst have already performed at it. All proceeds from ticket sales went to the maintenance of Rehabilitation Shelter.

  Nochlezhka has ensured that residents of the city's Night Stay Homes (NCHs) receive temporary registration, which facilitates the exercise of many rights, including the right to employment.

  Together with other human rights organizations, Nochlezhka succeeded in canceling the new procedure for admission to school, in which the admission of a child to school is tied to registration.

  Launched Program Outreach. The program includes the preparation and distribution of methodological manuals on helping the homeless and citizens without registration, the organization of trainings and seminars, the development of a system of consulting support for NGOs and government agencies. Nochlezhka began consulting more than 50 public and state organizations every year.

  Night Bus: Volunteers fed more than 4,350 people, distributed 26 724 hot meals.

  Rehabilitation shelter: 221 people received a roof over their heads and assistance from social workers.

  Heating points: 558 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Advisory service: social workers and lawyers provided 2 600 consultations.

• 2013

  Nochlezhka held an action in the Summer Garden Marble people vs stone hearts. Social advertising appeared on the streets of St. Petersburg This side of life.

  Night bus: volunteers fed more than 5,000 people, distributed 32 & nbsp; 500 servings of hot food.

  Rehabilitation shelter: 165 people received a roof over their heads and the help of social workers.

  Heating points: 716 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Advisory service: social workers and lawyers provided 2 600 consultations.

• 2014

  Night Bus: Volunteers fed 4,300 people and distributed 26,434 hot meals.

  Rehabilitation shelter: 187 people received a roof over their heads and the help of social workers.

  Heating points: 595 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Advisory service: social workers and lawyers provided 2,910 consultations.

• 2015

  For the first time in its history, Nochlezhka, with the assistance of the district administrations, managed to open three heating points.

  Night Bus: Volunteers fed 5,583 people and distributed 32,801 hot meals.

  Rehabilitation shelter: 233 people received a roof over their heads and assistance from social workers.

  Heating points: 456 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Advisory service: social workers and lawyers provided 6373 consultations.

  Sharing our experience: Nochlezhka's specialists advised 78 organizations from 37 regions of Russia, as well as Georgia, Azerbaijan and Finland.

• 2016

  In October Nochlezhka held in St. Petersburg international conference on helping the homeless lpeople. It was attended by leading experts on this topic from eight cities in Russia, Finland and Poland.

  In October, the fourth charity NochlezhkaFest took place with the participation of Boris Grebenshchikov, Marksheider Kunst and the SBHR.

  November 22 with Prachka. com Nochlezhka opened Cultural laundry, for two months of work where 761 people washed and dried their clothes for free.

  The 13th and 14th editions of the Homeless Handbook have been released.

  Night Bus: Volunteers fed 6,361 people and distributed 37,376 hot meals.

  Rehabilitation shelter: 185 people received a roof over their heads and the help of social workers.

  Heating points: 716 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Advisory service: social workers and lawyers provided 7,060 consultations.

  Sharing our experience: Nochlezhka's specialists have advised more than 100 organizations from 48 cities in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

• 2017

  The first Homeless Day — this date was established by Nochlezhka, the Friends on the Street movement, the Need Help Charitable Foundation , the Takie Dela portal and the Dozhd TV channel.

  Director of Nochlezhka Grigory Sverdlin received the "Top 50 Most Famous People of St. Petersburg" award from the "Sobaka" magazine in the "Science and Life" nomination.

  Since the beginning of September, Nochlezhka has launched a new project: homeless people could get tested for HIV at the Counseling Service.

  Point of issue is a heated room where volunteers distribute donated food to the homeless clothing and hygiene items.

  In December, Nochlezhka bought a new Night Bus — now there are no breakdowns, which means that homeless people will definitely receive food and help.

  The 15th edition of the Homeless Handbook has been released.

  Night Bus: Volunteers fed 6,228 people and distributed 32,630 hot meals.

  Cultural laundry: 9013 times homeless people washed and dried clothes in our free laundry.

  Rehabilitation shelter: 140 people received a roof over their heads and the help of social workers.

  Heating points: 957 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Advisory service: social workers and lawyers provided 7,199 consultations.

  Sharing our experience: Nochlezhka's specialists have advised more than 120 organizations from 62 cities in Russia, Moldova, Ukraine, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Finland and Uzbekistan.

• 2018

  In 2018, we decided to open a branch in Moscow, but The Cultural Laundry has not been opened. 80,022 people signed petition for a place for Nochlezhka in the capital . The first Moscow campaigns "Mandarin and Stew" and "Express Help" were held.

  With the help of Nochlezhka's lawyers and social workers, we launched a special project “What to do” is a site-collection of step-by-step instructions for solving legal problems. We also launched an online system MKS (Multifunctional office of a social worker ), which helps to organize customer support, take into account the services provided and collect statistics. The Homeless Handbook is now in its 16th edition .

  Nochlezhka held the fourth big conference dedicated to the problem of homelessness in Moscow . Also held 250 professional consultations for 159 non-profit organizations, government agencies and activists from 61 cities in 44 regions of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Serbia, Turkey, Germany, USA. Grigory Sverdlin spoke about the work of Nochlezhka and the problem of homelessness at the TEDx-NevaRiver conference, at an open meeting Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg and Petersburg Economic Forum.

  Together with the Great agency, Nochlezhka launched an advertising campaign "Let's act like Petersburgers"< /a>. On the Day of the Homeless, Nochlezhka launched a campaign "Homeless Site"< /a>.

  Nochlezhka and a chain of restaurants in Tokyo City held a New Year's campaign for the sale of honey gingerbread. At the Meet for charity platform, we raised 90,000 rubles by selling a meeting with Matilda Shnurova. Twice we held the action "Night at the hotel", dedicated to to the International Day for the Fight against Poverty and the Day of the Homeless, in which St. Petersburg hotels transferred 198,000 rubles to Nochlezhka. Nochlezhka together with the Lenta hypermarket chain held a campaign dedicated to Homeless Day< /a>. Visitors could purchase and donate food, hygiene products and treats for our wards right on the spot. There was also a lot of interesting stuff: donations from Vkontakte users, Neste sold Neste freeze-ku!”, Petersburg ran the marathon « White Nights", Lev Lurie read a lecture on Dovlatov< /span>, and Max Pokrovsky sold the bouquet from peppers for 14,000 rubles 

  With the Hilton hotel chain, we launched a project for vocational training and employment of homeless people. a sewing workshop of eco-bags has opened in the Shelter.

  Night Bus: Volunteers fed 2,945 people, distributed 17,637 hot meals.

  Cultural laundry: 5,908 times homeless people washed and dried clothes in our free laundry.

  Rehabilitation shelter: 145 people received a roof over their heads and the help of social workers.

  Heating points: 1,296 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Advisory service: social worknicks and lawyers gave 8,269 consultations.

• 2019

  In 2019, we opened a year-round stationary Night shelter. In just six months of work, 505 people spent the night in the Night Shelter 7341 times. The Night Shelter is an evolution of Points of heating: overnight accommodation for 40 people, but already in a one-story building with beds, a shower and the opportunity to do laundry. Anyone can spend the night in the Night Shelter all year round. We talked in detail about all aspects of the project in manual< /a> colleagues in other cities were able to launch a similar Night Shelter.

  In 2019, in , the Halfway House. Now program participants live in a separate shelter, where they receive psychological support and work according to the 12-step program. We took the project out of the Shelter on Borovaya. This made it possible to increase the number of seats and open a women's room. Now 14 people can undergo rehabilitation at the same time: 10 men and 4 women. 

  We rented premises for projects in Moscow. In 2019, we were finally able to find suitable premises in the Begovaya area for the Counseling Service, the Rehabilitation Shelter and the Nochlezhka office. Before that, we conducted sociological survey and meetings with residents of the district — our future neighbors, and also organized excursion in St. Petersburg Nochlezhka for Begovaya district activists to show how our projects work. We rent premises and make repairs with the support of philanthropist Vladimir Smirnov and the Lifestyle Foundation. Repair materials were provided to us free of charge by Leroy Merlin.

  Launched a supported living project In Petersburg. Now we are preparing for an independent and independent life of clients who have undergone rehabilitation at the Shelter, found a job and are going to move. Program participants live in rented rooms, and Nochlezhka pays rent for the first three months. At this time, consultations of a social work specialist and a psychologist help a person to establish a life in new conditions. In all other respects, he provides for himself: he pays for utilities, buys necessary things for the house, runs the household and takes care of himself. Three months later, he stays in the same housing and begins to pay for it on his own.

  Night Bus: Volunteers fed 2,414 people, distributed 14,726 hot meals.

  Cultural laundry: 5,067 times homeless people washed and dried clothes in our free laundry.

  Rehabilitation shelter: 168 people received a roof over their heads and the help of social workers.

  Heating points: 1,132 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Advisory service: social workers and lawyers provided 9,955 consultations.

• 2020

  2020 has been a challenging year for the entire world. With the onset of the pandemic, the number of people turning to us for help has increased dramatically. We followed the rules of epidemiological safety and refused the help of volunteers as much as possible so as not to risk their health. Nevertheless, all humanitarian projects of Nochlezhka continued to work in the same mode. This is our main victory. We developed projects for vocational training and employment. 15 people were trained, 10 of them got a job. We have attracted new regular donors - now there are more than 4,000 of them. Nochlezhka's income increased by 40%, expenses - by 30%.

  In 2020 we launched Consulting Service and Night bus in Moscow. They work on the model of St. Petersburg projects. Specialists social work, lawyers and psychologists at the Counseling Service help homeless people deal with social and legal issues and get off the street. Every weekday, the Night Bus arrives at two parking lots: people receive hot food, bread, water, hygiene products, clothes and help from volunteer medical workers. 

  Opened Not indifferent in St. Petersburg. We have been working on this project since 2016, so that homeless people can wash for free not only in Nochlezhka, but also in another district of St. Petersburg. We designed and built a block container ourselves: two showers and two toilets. One of the blocks is equipped for people with disabilities. In Indifferent, you can also wash and dry things. In addition, we have launched laundry and shower facilities at the Night Shelter.

  Launched a supported living project In Petersburg. Now we are preparing for an independent and independent life of clients who have undergone rehabilitation at the Shelter, found a job and are going to move. Program participants live in rented rooms, and Nochlezhka pays rent for the first three months. At this time, consultations of a social work specialist and a psychologist help a person to establish a life in new conditions. In all other respects, he provides for himself: he pays for utilities, buys necessary things for the house, runs the household and takes care of himself. Three months later, he stays in the same housing and begins to pay for it on his own.

  Night bus in St. Petersburg: volunteers fed 1,268 people; Night bus in Moscow: volunteers fed 2,219 people. 32,017 servings of hot food were distributed in Moscow and St. Petersburg. 

  Cultural laundry: 3,278 times homeless people washed and dried clothes in our free laundry. 

  Rehabilitation shelter: 139 people received a roof over their heads and the help of social workers.

  Heating points: 746 people spent the night warm, saving their lives and health.

  Consulting service in St. Petersburg: social workers and lawyers provided 6,117 consultations. Consulting service in Moscow: social workers and lawyers gave 568 consultations.