TEAM IYC

The team of the International Youth Center – Pernik includes six youth workers, two educational mediators and a manager.

A social worker, psychologist, host, receptionists, hygienists and security are about to join our team very soon..

Who are we?

Valentina

My name is Valentina and I am the first educational mediator at the International Youth Center – Pernik!
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Married, with three grown sons aged 28, 27 and 20.
👩‍🎓 I completed my Bachelor degree at the Faculty of Philology of PU “P. Hilendarski” – specialty “Bulgarian language and Russian language”. I worked as a teacher of Bulgarian language and literature, and later as an expert on ethnic and demographic issues in the Regional Administration – Pernik.
🏠 The city where I’m born has a great attraction for me. I believe that everyone who is raised here has ideas for its development, because being a native of Pernik is a vocation!
Young people are the ones who, with their ingenuity, ideas and persistence, will do a lot for the betterment of the city and its inhabitants, following the principle that the things we want are not going to happen by itself, but because of someone’s engagement!

Elena

I am Elena Gerginova and I have the inspiration to be a youth worker for the center.
Nature is my inspiration. I think that humans easily forget that we are one with all the living things around us!
Children are my strength and weakness. I have worked in a parent cooperative as an educator, animator and teacher of children’s yoga. I started attending yoga practices regularly during my student years and enrolled in a postgraduate qualification at the National Academy of Sports. I graduated in 2011 with an incredible flow of teachers, yoga followers and experiences. 🔥
At the same time, my nephew became a part of the family and I decided to take a course for children’s yoga instructors at the Yoga Federation. I have a published book, named “Lyoni`s Stories with Yoga”. I also completed the RYE “Yoga in Education” training.
At home I have three bunnies, a giant snail and a goldfish. I like to read books, film music and semolina halva. I try to see comfort and goodness in everything!

Alek

I’m Alexander Yordanov or Alek – for short.

Why did I choose to be a youth worker?
That’s a good question that I’ve been looking for an answer to for a very long time.
But since I enjoy working with teenagers the most, I will give an answer that I hear often and it continues to inspire me: : “BECAUSE IT’S AWESOME”!

I graduated “Psychology” at New Bulgarian University.
Since 2012 I have been a member of “Pulse” Foundation, having passed through the positions of “volunteer”, “outreach specialist” and “coordinator of health programs”, and to date, I am the leader of the “Youth club” of the foundation.
I am also a part of the team of the trainers of the National Youth Forum.

I believe that the Youth Center in Pernik is the step we need and I am sure that it will be AWESOME!

Asya

Hello, I’m Asya and I’m happy to take the role of youth worker at the International Youth Center Pernik.

I love life in all its forms and everything that contributes to its fullness inspires me. Communicating with people opens up new horizons and challenges, which are a great incentive for change, and change is life. One of the most important factors in communication are the languages, and therefore I have a great interest in them. I love the power of words and the potential they hold.

Volunteering for me is a major part of my life. It gives me the opportunity to meet people among whom I find a way to myself, which expands my horizons and inspires me. The possibilities that volunteering opens up to each person according to their interests are limitless. I have been convinced for a long time that this is a fulfilling way to develop yourself, doing something useful for others. Here I see only benefits, because by developing ourselves, we become more useful to others and, accordingly – to the whole society.

Vesko

I am Veselin and I am an educational mediator at the International Youth Center Pernik.

I was born and raised in the city of Pernik and I am really happy that our city is developing more and more and I believe that it will continue to be so in the future.

Since my school years, I have participated in lots of activities for the youths in the city – “Pernik for Youth” Academy, debate clubs, Permanent Roma Conference and many others, which have made me the person I am today! “
I am currently studying “Bulgarian Philology” at South-west university “Neofit Rilski” .

I have various interests – photography is my most developed one. I like to visit new places, meet different people and go out in nature, because these are the ways I am “recharging”.

I am glad to be part of the team of the International Youth Center – Pernik, because it will give me the opportunity to be in a different environment and also to rediscover myself!

Elizabeth

My name is Elizabeth Marinova and I am a youth worker at the IYC Pernik.
Bachelor’s degree – “Non-formal education” at SU “St. Kliment Ohridski” in the faculty of Pedagogy
I have been introduced to the youth sector through volunteering and social work. Exactly these two values give me a sense of meaning and belonging. As more time pases this sense deepens in me.

In 2021, I took part in a long-term internship of the European Solidarity Corps. During my internship, I got to know lots of different cultures and attitudes towards the world. I spent my internship as a volunteer in “Center for Euro Initiatives” – they were so kind to introduce me first-hand youth work 101, which inspired me to continue when I returned back to my country.

In my spare time I’m hiking, volunteering, playing board games or riding some board with wheels or not. Recently I illustrated my first children’s book on soil biodiversity.

Katerina

I am Katerina and I am happy that I will be able to create what I personally have always… until now, missed in the city – occasions for gathering young people, exchanging experience and inspiration.
I graduated from SWU “Neofit Rilski” – “Public Relations”.
For many years I worked in the field of tourism. My interaction with a wide variety of people from all over the world, with different values, religions, views and social status, has made me a broad-minded and quite adaptable individual to a diverse environment. ☺
I have experience in organizing events: art festivals, dance battles, camps & etc. This is what I am good at and that is why I am glad that we will be able to create events here – in the beloved Pernik.
I’ve been dancing for my whole life, that and spending time with my dog are my two ways to let loose.
Everything else I will be happy to discuss at the events that are waiting for you at the International Youth Center Pernik!

Lubomira

I am Lubomira. Proud mother of two human and two furry children (a dog and a cat). I have been a youth worker at IYC-Pernik since October 2021.

I have studied in different spheres of formal and informal education, and each of them has left a mark on me with a rich palette of knowledge and skills. I have a master’s degree in “Diplomacy and International Relations”, a bachelor’s degree in “Bulgarian Language and History” and a “Journalist – Press Editor” specialization. My first contact with non-formal education was in 2006, when I graduated from the Social Policy Academy of the Institute for Social Integration, co-organised by the Bulgarian School of Politics and the New Bulgarian University. Two years ago, I also completed the first comprehensive program in Digital Marketing at SoftUni.

I am an emotional person with versatile interests, always looking for something new and not afraid of challenges. I love traveling, walking in nature and meeting new people. In my free time, I am also actively involved in making jewelry and other accessories from braided ropes using the macrame technique.

I value honest people and relationships, I believe in goodness. I live with the thought that each of us can and should be an active citizen and give our contribution so that we all live better, here and now.