It all began in 1995, thanks to the determination of over a dozen people. They believed that social issues should be solved together. One of the founders and the honorary president of the Association was DSc Mikołaj Kozakiewicz. Mrs. Anna Machalica-Pułotrak was the initiator of the Association and the first long-term President of the Board and since 2015 she’s acting as the president of honor.
This house is called “Open Door”. Open to disabled, drug addicts, alcoholics, lonely and children. Open to all those in need.
Anna Machalica-Pułtorak, honorary president, founder of the Otwarte Drzwi Association
The idea that guided our actions from the very beginning was work at the grass roots. At Warsaw’s Praga Północ District, we provided free psychological and career counseling, employment agency, and day care centers for troubled youth. We have always responded to real needs and social issues. Regardless of the difficulties, we were driven by our determination to help.
The local community is specific. There are mostly very poor people. There are many children who have no perspectives. We invite them and try to help. We are not doing this for ourselves. Those are our values and that’s why we want to develop a sense of community. We are residents as well.
Anna Machalica-Pułtorak, honorary president, founder of the Otwarte Drzwi Association
For over 25 years of our activity, we have become a dynamically operating organization located in several districts of Warsaw, running dozens of projects, including international ones, undertaking lobbying and consulting actions when creating legal acts, standards and directly helping hundreds of thousands of people.
We have always responded to real and pressing social needs. To this day, regardless of the difficulties, we were driven by our determination to help those in need.