Our team consists of passionate and dedicated professionals who believe in the potential of young people and strive to create a safe and inspiring environment for them. Through united efforts, we organize diverse initiatives and projects that help young people develop their skills, make new friendships, and actively engage in the social life of Blagoevgrad and beyond.
Adriana Krăsteva
Manager
Adriana Krăsteva is 38 years old and from Blagoevgrad. She graduated from the Language High School "Acad. Lyudmil Stoyanov", Blagoevgrad, with French. She holds a Master's degree in "Management Sciences" from the University of Liège, Belgium. She is a member of the boards of directors of the association "European Information and Consulting Center – BG Regions" and the association "Alliance Française Blagoevgrad". A long-time employee of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Blagoevgrad and coordinator of the Youth Initiatives and Entrepreneurship Club there, Adriana sees the development of an entrepreneurial spirit in young people and the encouragement of their initiative as a personal mission, as well as fostering a strong civic and democratic self-awareness among them. She believes in creative approaches, learning through games, leading by example, and mentoring. Her personal motto is "Carpe diem!".
e-mail: akrasteva_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Denis Nikiforov
Psychologist
Denis Nikiforov is a regular PhD student and a Master's graduate in Positive Psychology. He has graduated in Journalism and Acting. In his practice, he focuses on the development of character strengths, personal growth, motivation, and working on positive cognitive processes. His professional interests are in individual counseling, working with couples, families, and children, as well as leading groups in positive psychotraining, mental well-being, identity, and self-esteem. He is a certified leader in positive psychotraining and conducts groups for personal and creative development. In recent years, he has implemented projects related to anti-violence, developing character strengths in young people, and various social campaigns. From 2014 to 2022, he was part of the teams at Radio Focus, the digital marketing agency Xplora, the medical publication Clinica.bg, the information newsletter of the "Access to Information" Program, and Vesti.bg. He has worked as a web editor at BNR - Radio Blagoevgrad and for over three years as a public relations expert at the University Theater of the New Bulgarian University, Sofia. Since 2019, he has been the main coordinator for Blagoevgrad region of the "Let's Clean Bulgaria Together" campaign by bTV Media Group. In 2019, he founded a platform for art and psychology - Magic Art and Psy school and created www.diktofonmedia.com.
e-mail: dnikiforov_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Emilia Bodenova
Youth Worker
Emilia Bodenova has completed her vocational education in the field of economics. Over the years, she has gained experience in various sectors. She has worked as an accountant, office assistant, and technical collaborator. She is a perfectionist and loves to fine-tune everything down to the last detail. The reason she became a youth worker is that she wants to support and motivate young people in Blagoevgrad to develop and improve themselves. She is happy to have the opportunity to work and contribute to the creation and development of the Youth Center – Blagoevgrad.
e-mail: ebodenova_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Rosen Abadzhiev
Youth Worker
Rosen Abadzhiev holds a Master's degree from the Southwest University "Neofit Rilski" in Blagoevgrad, specializing in "Physics and Mathematics." He has a wide-ranging practical experience as an educator – he has been a physics and mathematics teacher for over 20 years, a chess coach for two years, and the head of a digital arts school at the Center for Personal and Creative Development of Children in Blagoevgrad for two years. His great "love" is the mountains. He believes that he can motivate young people to lead an active lifestyle filled with various physical and intellectual activities.
e-mail: rabadzhiev_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Angelina Grahovska
Youth Worker
Angelina Grahovska holds a Master's degree in Economics and is a teacher by profession. She has extensive experience working with children and youth. 25 years of her professional development were spent in school, where she worked as a teacher of economic disciplines, geography and economics, as well as French language. She holds the first professional qualification level for the education system. For her, working with children and young people is not only energizing and motivating, but also a real challenge that brings her satisfaction. Over the years, she has participated in various training, courses, and qualifications that contribute to and enrich her skills and competencies in various areas. Personally, she is married, a proud mother of a son, and recently became a grandmother to two grandchildren. She is happy to have the opportunity to be part of the team at the Youth Center – Blagoevgrad and to contribute to the educational and social development of the youth in the city.
e-mail: agrahovska_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Nina Tosheva
Youth Worker
Nina Tosheva is 24 years old. She has graduated in "Preschool and Primary School Pedagogy" and holds a Master's degree in "Social-Pedagogical Support and Child Protection". She has experience as an animator and teacher in a kindergarten, where she always strived to create a positive and inspiring environment for the children. She believes that every child deserves an individual approach and support in their development. Nina is passionate about the power of education and social work, and she is excited to be part of the team at the Youth Center – Blagoevgrad, as it will allow her to help young people unlock their potential.
e-mail: ntosheva_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Velička Kostova
Youth Worker
Velička Kostova is 30 years old and a mother to a wonderful little girl. She graduated in "Culture and Media" from the Southwest University "Neofit Rilski" in Blagoevgrad. She has gained professional experience as a sales consultant at "Yettel Bulgaria" EAD. Velička has participated in various courses and holds certificates in graphic design, which have expanded her creative and digital skills. She gladly accepts the new challenge of working as a youth worker. She believes that she can contribute to the development of young people in the city, helping them discover their talents and unlock their potential.
e-mail: vkostova_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Nadezhda Mitreva
Social Worker
Nadezhda Mitreva has graduated from the College of Management, Trade, and Marketing with Danish participation in Sofia, as well as holding a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Southwest University "Neofit Rilski" in Blagoevgrad. She is married with one child. She considers it her mission to perform socially beneficial work. Nadezhda communicates freely with young people and takes their problems seriously. She strives to motivate and guide them to unlock their potential and talents, enabling them to participate fully in public life.
e-mail: nmitreva_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Matilda Shankova
Educational Mediator
Matilda Shankova was born and raised in Blagoevgrad. She completed her secondary education at the Professional High School of Economics "Ivan Iliev" in Blagoevgrad, specializing in "Secretary Administrator with Typing and Stenography." She greatly enjoys her work as an educational mediator, finding it fulfilling. She believes that good results are achieved through perseverance and motivation. She shares that her calling is to help people from vulnerable groups and to be useful to society. For her, difficulties are not obstacles, but challenges that help us become stronger and more confident on our path to success. Education, she believes, is the key to faster integration of minority groups into society. Matilda considers it her mission to provide help and support to people from vulnerable groups, including the Roma. It is of utmost importance to her that people are included and socialized, as this creates the conditions for their active civic engagement and full participation in public life.
e-mail: mshankova_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Mirela Miladinova
Educational Mediator
Mirela Miladinova completed her secondary education at the National Humanities High School "St. St. Cyril and Methodius." She holds a bachelor's degree in "Pop and Jazz Singing" from the South-West University "Neofit Rilski," which speaks for itself about her greatest passion—music. According to her, artists possess an emotional and vibrant soul, through which they easily manage to touch others. She considers it her life mission to help people from vulnerable groups.
e-mail: mmiladinova_yc@blagoevgrad.bg
Валентина Щерева - Грозданова
Youth Worker
Валентина Щерева-Грозданова е завършила средното си образование в Професионална гимназия по икономика „Иван Илиев“ със специалност „Застрахователно и осигурително дело“, както и висше образование с магистърска степен- специалност „Право“ в Югозападен университет „Неофит Рилски“ в град Благоевград.
През последните години е работила като търговски представител и опита, който е придобила е допринесъл за развитието на силни комуникационни умения, умения за работа с различни групи хора и способност за изграждане на доверие и активен диалог.
В работата си като младежки работник тя поставя силен акцент върху насърчаването на гражданската активност, информираността за правата и отговорностите на младите хора и тяхното активно участие в обществения живот. Вярва, че познаването на правата, достъпът до информация и подкрепящата среда са ключови за изграждането на уверени, отговорни и ангажирани млади граждани.
Лада Мелниченко
Кариерен консултант
Лада Мелниченко е магистър по психология и сертифициран кариерен консултант, но преди всичко е човек, който носи в сърцето си две култури.
Тя вярва, че пътят към себе си е най-важното пътешествие в живота на всеки човек.
Лада е украинка с български корени, за която Благоевград се е превърнал във втори дом. Личната ѝ история и връзката с нейните предци ѝ помагат да разбира по-добре предизвикателствата при адаптацията и търсенето на собственото „аз“.
В своята практика Лада успешно прилага разнообразни и съвременни методи за психологическа подкрепа. Тя носи със себе си над 5 години професионален опит в работата с младежи и студенти, като им помага да подобрят самооценката си, да изградят здрави лични граници и да се справят със стреса и прегарянето.
Лада създава безопасно пространство, в което всеки може да се почувства чут и подкрепен.
Като кариерен консултант, тя ще бъде вашият ментор в моментите на несигурност. Независимо дали се чудите каква професия да изберете, как да напишете първото си CV или как да преодолеете страха от интервю, Лада ще ви даде практически инструменти и увереност.
Ако търсите подкрепа, насоки за бъдещето или просто някой, който да ви разбере – Лада ви очаква в Младежкия център!
Кристина Шопова
Youth Worker
Кристина Шопова е завършила бакалавърска степен по „Икономика на социално-културната сфера“ в Югозападен университет „Неофит Рилски“. Тя е майка на момченце, което допълнително я мотивира да работи с грижа, отговорност и разбиране към младежите. Вярва, че подкрепата и човешкото отношение могат да променят животи. Стреми се да бъде полезна за другите, като поставя акцент върху доверието, разбирането и уважението към всеки човек. За нея е истинско удоволствие да бъде част от екипа на Младежки център – Благоевград.
Карамфила Поповска
Педагог
Карамфила Поповска е завършила висшето си образование със степен Магистър по „Предучилищна педагогика“ в Югозападен университет „Неофит Рилски“. Опитът ѝ в различни сфери - от образованието до услугите и производството – ѝ дава широк поглед върху реалния живот и богат практически опит. Приема работата си в Младежкия център като лична отговорност и кауза. Нейната цел е да помага на младите хора да откриват своите силни страни и да развиват потенциала си. За нея в тази работа е важно да създава среда на доверие, искреност и подкрепа, в която младежите да сe усещат чути и приети. Зарежда я тяхната енергия. Вярва в моралните ценности и силата на личния пример.
Убедена е, че промяната започва от самите нас и, че всеки младеж трябва да знае, че гласът му има значение.
The employees maintain the profiles of the Youth Center - Blagoevgrad on social media – Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok with up-to-date information related to the center's activities.