About us
VOTUM – from Latin “wish, promise”
Our wish is to create a community of people who help each other, support each other and bring joy to their lives. We promise to do our best to do so.
Our activities are based on Christian values – respect for God, people and the environment in which we live. We believe that each of us is unique, has our own place, talents and value. Together we learn to accept each other, develop our abilities and create a community where everyone feels welcome.
Nothing will test your intention better than time... For more than 30 years, we have been trying to bring understanding, respect and love to life – simply what makes life more beautiful.
Mission
Our mission is to bring joy, support and opportunities to people with disabilities and their families. We do this through music, creativity and shared experiences.
- We build community – we create a safe and friendly environment for children, youth and adults with special needs and their families.
- We support development and creativity – we believe that everyone has their own talent and dreams that deserve space to be fulfilled.
- We help, connect and interconnect – we stand with people with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to shine and be part of society.
- We show the power of art – through music and performances we break down barriers and bring understanding and joy to all who perceive us.
Regular activities
Every week we meet on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the CIK CAK center in Petržalka, where music therapy and community meetings for children and young people with disabilities take place - a total of approximately 30 participants. Participants are divided into small groups, in exceptional cases we work individually or dually. Thursdays belong to the VOTUM Band and young people from DSS Gaudeamus. Fridays are community.
Every Monday there is a health swimming session, which helps our children develop movement and self-confidence (participation depends on interest and pool capacity).
Once a month we also meet at the Royal Family Parish on Teplická Street, where we accompany the Holy Mass with music and then continue with a spiritual meeting with conversations.
Community and social activities
Our events are full of joy, singing, friendships and shared experiences. Every year we look forward to:
- Summer camp in Marianka – a week full of sports, music, dance, creative workshops and laughter.
- Summer festival in V-club – a concert by our young people for parents, friends and supporters. Meeting with older and less active members of the association.
- Christmas gathering – a joint farewell to the old year with a program, music and refreshments.
- Healing stay in Croatia – for more than 12 years we have been spending summer holidays by the sea with our families.
- Parish ball – a tradition that we do not miss! We have fun together until the morning and the VOTUM band will delight the dancers with their performance.
- Creative meetings – popular workshops for making Advent wreaths that combine creativity, the scent of pine needles and a beautiful atmosphere.
About music therapy
In music therapy, we are talking about a healing and supportive procedure in which we accompany a client or a group through a therapeutic process in a qualified way through a helping relationship, music and musical elements. The aim of this process is to develop the potential and restore the functions of the individual in a relevant way so that they can achieve better intrapersonal and/or interpersonal integration, with the aim of fulfilling their physical, psychological, emotional and social needs.
At the beginning of each school year, we set individual music therapy goals for each client - according to their needs. During the year and at the end of the year, we individually look at where they have moved, what music therapy has brought us and how to develop further. We learn to see the beauty of small steps.
Our team
Mgr. Mária Horváthová, DiS. Art.
Association President, Therapeutic Educator, Music Therapist
Mária is the heart and engine of the VOTUM association. She started working with us as an intern while studying therapeutic pedagogy at Comenius University in Bratislava in 2013. After her bachelor's degree, she continued her social work, graduating with a master's degree in 2016.
Music has always been her passion, so she naturally connected with music therapy – a field that fulfills her and in which she is constantly educating herself. She completed a long-term music therapy course with Mgr. et Mgr. Matej Lipský, PhD. (2015–2017) and is currently studying for a master's degree in Music Therapy at Palackého University in Olomouc under the guidance of accredited supervisors.
In addition, she is a graduate of the Bratislava Conservatory, where she studied church music and organ playing. During her 11 years of study, she performed solo at many concerts. In 2023, she completed her studies with a recital in Velehrad (CZ). Currently, she works as an organist, sings in the Conservatory choir, and also leads the choir as a choirmaster.
At VOTUM, she not only takes care of music therapy, but also of the overall operation of the association – from organizing concerts, summer camps and spiritual meetings to communicating with parents, grant applications, the website and social networks. Since 2025, she has been the president of the VOTUM association.
“For me, music is a bridge that connects people, even if they speak different languages.”
Renáta Štaffová
Administrator, assistant, organizer with a big heart
Renáta is the person who connects VOTUM, practically and humanly. For many years she worked as a self-employed person in the field of marketing, management and events. Thanks to this work, she gained experience in organizing events, communication, content creation and social media management.
In her personal life, she is primarily a mother of a child with a disability, and this gives her a deep understanding of the needs of our young people and their parents.
At VOTUM, she takes care of finances, documentation, accounting documents, projects, social networks and practical details, without which our events would not take place. She also organizes swimming courses, helps with transfers, technology and always knows what is needed.
She has been part of the association since 2010 and has been working here as a part-time employee since 2022.
“Every day, when I see the smiles of our young people, I know that what we do has meaning.”
Ing. Jana Hodeková
Founder of the VOTUM Association
Janka was at the birth of the Association, when a group of mothers decided in 1993 to create a place where children – even those with special needs – would feel accepted and happy.
Thanks to her determination and vision, the foundation of today's VOTUM was created. She led the Association for over 30 years. Thanks to Janka's charm and warmth, many people willing to help came to VOTUM. She built awareness of VOTUM through 18 benefit balls and through many cultural events not only in Devínska Nová Ves. She was always very close to all Votumáci and practically took care of their needs.
Janka has been working with the Social Work Advisory Council since 2002. As a consultant, she encourages facilities to improve the quality of social services and deinstitutionalize.
“Votumáci are a matter of my heart.”
Association Committee
- Mária Horváthová – Chairwoman, Statutory Officer
- Renáta Štaffová – Member
- Radoslava Blizniaková – Member
- Jana Hodeková – Member
- Eva Rakovská – Member
- Mária Komarová – Controller
In the past, VOTUM was formed by many inspiring people and entire families. A group of friends and families who helped each other and contributed together to this work.
We thank: family Hodek, Švec, Wűrfl, Katka Horváth, Zuzana Vitek, Lucia Štassel, family Savko, Tána Kuzmová, family Hajko, Drábik, Mrs. Taubnerová, family Delič, Bishop Haľko, Slavo Jurko, the many volunteers and all the people who, thanks to their good will, built or are building VOTUM.