Kocaeli launches integrated life campus for families and special needs support

Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality has launched a comprehensive life campus in İzmit designed to support families through integrated services. The campus brings together several key facilities, including the Anne Şehir Life Center, the Gonca Barrier-Free Life Center, and the Lokomotif Children's Village.

The Gonca Barrier-Free Life Center provides multidisciplinary support to individuals with special needs and their families. It serves approximately 1,730 people weekly, offering services such as early childhood education, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and vocational training in fields like barista work, hairdressing, and gardening. To date, the center has reached 2,027 different individuals, focusing on developing independent living skills and employment readiness through career planning and interview techniques.

The campus model allows mothers to engage in social activities and sports at the Anne Şehir center while their children receive education in safe environments at the other facilities. This holistic approach aims to improve the quality of life for women and provide comprehensive support for families, including parents and siblings of individuals with disabilities.