Setlementti Puijola’s new Growing Together project supports the integration of immigrant families and the academic success of their children in Kuopio, a city home to residents of around 100 nationalities and a steadily growing number of students with foreign-language backgrounds.
Growing together
Growing together
Growing together is a new project by Setlementti Puijola in Kuopio, supporting immigrant families and schools in collaboration with the City of Kuopio. Funded by the EU’s AMIF programme, it addresses challenges such as limited understanding of the Finnish education system, which can lead to misunderstandings and hinder children’s success.
The project’s community instructor works in schools to strengthen cooperation between home and school. The project organizes weekly Perhekerho – family clubs for preparatory class students and their families.
Kuopio is home to people from around 100 nationalities, with nearly 950 foreign-language students in basic education.
Contact:
Jenni Karhunen, Project Coordinator
jenni.karhunen@puijola.net, p. 044 767 5181
Delia Chinta, Community Instructor
delia.chinta@puijola.net, p. 044 354 8515
Community instructor in schools
The Community Instructor acts as a bridge between immigrant families in preparatory education programs and school teaching staff. The community instructor is on site maintaining active contact with guardians, identify the family’s need for support, and encourage them to participate in the family clubs (Perhekerho).
The Community Instructor supports students’ social integration and participation, and helps with practical matters such as using Wilma (the school-parent communication platform) or navigating educational pathways which in-turn promotes trust-based interaction between all the people involved.
The goal is for every student to feel welcome and valued at school – growing together.
Delia Chinta, Community Instructor
delia.chinta@puijola.net, p. 044 354 8515 |
Perhekerho
The Family Club (Perhekerho) supports the overall well-being and integration of immigrant families. It is designed for preparatory education students and their families, offering shared leisure activities that strengthen collaboration between home and school.
The club meets weekly and brings together families, experts from the wellbeing services county, and school representatives. The sessions cover topics such as the Finnish service system, school practices, children’s rights, and parenting support – always with the help of multilingual facilitators. Activities include shared moments for the whole family, as well as separate programs for children and adults.
The club also introduces local services and hobby opportunities in Kuopio. Participants receive peer support from other immigrants. Inclusion and community-building are key goals, and the content of the club is developed based on participants’ wishes.
Jenni Karhunen, Project Coordinator
jenni.karhunen@puijola.net, p. 044 767 5181
Delia Chinta, Community Instructor
delia.chinta@puijola.net, p. 044 354 8515
