Briefly in English
Every child is entitled to a good and happy childhood. The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL) works to make this possible together with many other organizations, both public and private.
A civic organization for the 21st century
MLL is an NGO that promotes the wellbeing of children and of families with children, increases respect for childhood and seeks to make it more visible. MLL sees that children’s views are taken into account in public decision-making. Membership is open to everyone.
MLL is the largest child welfare organization in Finland. It has over 87 000 members and 548 local associations throughout the country. The work of these local associations is supported by the League’s 10 district organizations, one of which is MLL Southwest Finland.
MLL aims to ensure that:
- children are equal members of society
- every child enjoys good and happy surroundings
- parenting and education are respected and supported
- volunteer work, helping, caring and joint responsibility increase
A healthy, secure childhood
MLL supports parenting and ties between generations and works to promote health and a good environment for children.
Families need services
MLL produces diverse services; home-help provides families with short-term child-care services and longer-term special services such as home care for disabled and chronically ill children. Telephone counseling provides children, young people and parents with empathy, assistance and advice. Rehabilitation and child welfare services support families in which there are sick or disabled children or mental and social problems.
Local Associations
MLL offers families an opportunity to get acquainted and take part in volunteer work, to have a say in public affairs and to participate in a diverse range of activities. Local associations arrange clubs, groups for parents, excursions, training and special events. The associations keep the needs of children and families to the fore and seek to influence local decisions affecting families. Most of the activity of the local associations is based on volunteer work.
Diverse work towards wellbeing
Affection, care and wellbeing are the cornerstones of a good childhood. MLL is now concentrating on the following challenges:
- guaranteeing the right of children to childhood
- promoting responsible parenting
- increasing interest in volunteer work
- developing partnerships across traditional boundaries to cooperation advancing a global approach to the problems of children and families with children
Funding
The Funding Center for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA) supports the work of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare and the League organizes annual fund-raising campaigns through which the local associations collect funds to finance their activities. An example of cooperation with businesses is the campaign to ensure children a good start in school. Many local governments also purchase services offered by the Mannerheim League.
Patrons
The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare’s patrons are the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö, and his wife Dr Jenni Haukio.
More about MLL
Contact information
Looking for contact information for the staff of MLL Southwest Finland?
Languages
English or Finnish isn’t your first language? Read about MML in different languages.
Community support
Want to know more about the community support that MLL provides? Read an article from Laitilan sanomat.