Author:
Mariia Kucova
July was an emotional and eventful time for our regional Сenters across Ukraine. Given that children are on summer break, they have extra time and enthusiasm to join our events. Our teams continued to do everything possible to support and nurture the growth of children and teenagers during this period. Visitors have described our Centers as true havens of calm, learning, and creativity. Let us take a closer look at what we accomplished in different cities.
In Chernihiv, we once again held a five-day "Eco Vacation" intensive for teenagers. The theme resonated deeply with the participants, as it went beyond environmental issues to encompass self-care, emotional well-being, mental health, and interpersonal relationships.
We had to spend the first day of the intensive in a shelter, where we held our initial session on finding inner resources. By the time the air raid siren ended, the 20 teenagers who had entered the shelter feeling like strangers but, by the time the alert ended, had formed new connections and friendships,
shared the Center’s coordinator.
shared the Center’s coordinator.
The Chernihiv Center also prioritizes parental involvement. They regularly organize educational and creative gatherings where parents can connect, share experiences, and find support within a welcoming community.
In Chernivtsi, our team has been dedicated to enhancing the resilience of preschoolers through the "Safe Space" program in local kindergartens. The children are developing emotionally, learning self-control, and reinforcing new skills through fun and play. It is heartwarming to see how these activities are helping the children become more confident and better equipped to overcome challenges.
The Kyiv Center dedicated the entire month to one-day intensives for children, which proved to be incredibly popular. Here, the kids immersed themselves in creative activities, socialized, watched movies, and found it a wonderful opportunity for self-expression and making new friends.
This month marked the end of an era for our Center in Ivano-Frankivsk, as it concluded its operations. The team hosted creative events, said their goodbyes to visitors, expressed their deep appreciation for the trust placed in them, and reminded everyone that they would always be available through our online support line. The Center has been a haven of strength, calm, and support for countless families, and we remain committed to standing by them. We are honored to have been a part of their lives.
I’m incredibly grateful to have found this place. It was both a source of strength and peace.
Fairy tale therapy sessions were among my daughter's favorite activities. We fondly remember the friendly atmosphere and great activities.
Your support has brought countless moments of happiness to my son and me over the past two years. We are deeply grateful.
In Truskavets, we launched a group for teenagers for the first time under the personal development program "I Can Do Anything", where children had the opportunity to work on their skills and self-awareness. Additionally, stabilization sessions and an art-recovery group continued, where children expressed their creativity, relaxed, and restored inner harmony through art.
The women's group "Club of Fictional Writing", which was held for the first time at the Center, also concluded. It was a special experience for both the participants and the specialist who led these sessions. For several weeks, women gathered to write, share their creative thoughts, and discuss various life topics. Each meeting was filled with an atmosphere of support and understanding, which allowed for the creation of a true circle of trust.
Sincere thanks for the inspiring creative space! Gratitude to all the wonderful, creative ladies for the excellent company! Wishing everyone inspiration and good spirits!
remarked one of the participants.
remarked one of the participants.
In Lviv, we completed our work with the "Safe Space" program group.
We were very happy to provide children with a place of safety and comfort. We had a not large group of children who, even after we moved, came to our last meeting to be in a friendly space again,
representative of Сenter tells.
representative of Сenter tells.
We also started holding "Math Tutor" sessions for students in grades 7–11 to help them get ready for the upcoming school year. And our popular English-speaking conversation club for teenagers is still going strong, providing a relaxed and supportive environment for them to practice and improve their language skills.
In Mykolaiv, children continue to attend thematic clubs — discussion, environmental, cinematography, and others. The "My City" photo quest, where children take photos with local architectural monuments, make videos about them, and carry out educational assignments, became especially popular. We also organize meetings for parents where they can reflect on their parenting challenges, share experiences, and find like-minded people.
In Dnipro, we launched a "PALS" group for teenagers, which quickly established itself as a safe and trusting space. Teenagers receive psychological support, learn to interact with their peers, and make new friends. Our mobile outreach teams are also actively working in frontline communities, providing psychological support to families remaining there.
In Kryvyi Rih, we launched a club for teenagers where they have the opportunity to work with psychologists, explore their emotions, and share their concerns.
During the paired drawing exercise to reveal leadership qualities, we observed a wide range of personality types among the three pairs of teenagers. With one pair, we had to stay after the lesson and do additional work, as they were so absorbed in the process and needed explanations,
says a specialist from the Center.
says a specialist from the Center.
In Kharkiv, we launched the psychological group "Stress-Free Parenting" and held many creative activities for children. Here is how children who recently joined the Center's activities describe their new leisure time:
It's really enjoyable here! We used to spend time at home with our brothers and sisters, unsure of what to do. But it turns out this place is wonderful. We would love to come back again.
In Vysokyi rural settlement of the Kharkiv region, we launched three psychological groups simultaneously: "Safe Space", "Children and War", and "Stress-Free Parenting". The latter group helps parents navigate relationship challenges with their children and build healthy family dynamics. We have already received positive feedback about the groups; participants express gratitude and share that conversations with like-minded individuals help them manage anxiety and stress.
In Zaporizhzhia, we worked a lot with teenagers, conducting both one-time sessions and psychological groups, in July. A representative of one of the Zaporizhzhia Centers tells:
The group of older teenagers really connected with each other, they stayed after class to play board games and socialize. I feel satisfied that the request of one of the participants at the beginning "I'm hoping to make some new friends", was greatly exceeded.
In Ternopil, children participated in an intensive program focused on theater and cinema. With the guidance of psychologists and trainers, they learned to develop their acting and public speaking skills, personal qualities, and how to process their emotions by recognizing them in a timely manner.
We are delighted with the active life of our regional Centers, which continue to operate, provide support, development, and a place for self-expression for all children and teenagers who need it most.
Follow the link to support the work of our foundation in psychological and psychosocial support for children and parents.
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