History
In 2009, inspired by the work of the nuns of the Mother Teresa Congregation House, the initiative came to create a halfway house for the homeless and other people in crisis, who suffer from addictions and are the least protected part of society.
Successfully brought together and attracting three more activists, the enthusiasts drew up the statutes and founded the “Nova Vita” foundation (formerly “Betlēmes Žēlsirdības māja”). The name comes from the Latin words “New life”, symbolically expressing the organization’s idea of giving a second chance to people who ended up on the street due to their addiction, or vice versa, to give “fallen” people a chance to start a new life.
The “Nova Vita” foundation was registered in the Enterprise Register of the Republic of Latvia on March 6, 2009. On May 20 of the same year, the foundation was granted the status of a public benefit organization.
God blessed the property of the Catholic Church at 14 Katoļu Street, which the Church leased free of charge for the opening of a multifunctional evangelization center together with its leader, Dan Valija Anskaiti. The total area of the building is 1500 sq.m., it is located next to St. Francis for the Roman Catholic Church.
Vision
The purpose of the foundation is to promote the rehabilitation, social integration and quality of life of the homeless and dependents, to promote opportunities for improving the physical, intellectual, psychological and social functioning of the homeless and dependents, to stimulate them to receive help and services that would help to change their lives, achieving a way of life that corresponds to human dignity and circumstances.
Mission
We want to serve our brothers and sisters, especially the poorest, helping them to become free from addictions and return to a life of human dignity. We know that accomplishing this is God’s work, and we follow His call not to be indifferent to our neighbor.
“Nova Vita” is a place where people who suffer from any kind of addiction are welcome, who want to become free and are ready to live, work and pray in community for a certain period of time.