Author:
Mariia Kucova
The first month of summer was a whirlwind of events and activities in our regional Centers. Despite the war, there were many activities and happy smiles of children.
In Lviv, we concluded the "Safe Space" psychological support group for children aged 7–9.
The trainers remarked, "The children attending these sessions are incredibly inspiring and wonderfully captivating." The final session was especially moving because one of the participants brought a guitar and played a song.
We also launched the "CAMP+" group for the spouses of military personnel.
These women face the challenge of reorganizing their daily lives,
explained the group coordinator.
explained the group coordinator.
This group has become a space for sharing experiences and offering support, helping women find ways to recover and adapt to new circumstances.
In Ternopil, the "Upgrade Time" group for teenagers wrapped up. The participants were so satisfied they asked for the meetings to continue:
It is so nice here, and you have a comfy couch. Can I please come every day?
Thank you for the awesome event where we could eat delicious ice cream, bring our product ideas to life with music, and enjoy great company!
Additionally, two rounds of yoga classes were conducted specifically for military spouses and teenagers.
In Truskavets, the "Upgrade Time" program for teenagers aged 13–15 concluded this month. The participants shared their impressions:
It was so much fun, I will never forget these emotions!
— Vadym, 13 years old.
— Vadym, 13 years old.
The program was interesting and informative, and I also managed to find new friends!
— Sofiia, 13 years old.
— Sofiia, 13 years old.
The psychologist remarks, “Creating a safe and free environment allowed the children to gradually open up, enabling discussions on sensitive issues such as cyberbullying and sexualized violence.”
The "Parents' Club" also operates at the Center, offering weekly discussions of important issues. This month's discussions centered on parental burnout and techniques for non-violent child-rearing.
In Chernivtsi, the number of children attending the Center's events increased significantly with the start of the holidays. We held three-day "NonCamp" projects for children aged 6–9 and 10–12. Younger children worked on self-regulation through animal imagery, creative crafts, and outdoor activities. Older children explored their uniqueness, worked on self-presentation and confidence, and created "unexpected" portraits, and "treasure chests" of personal resources.
To support the well-being of adults, we organized neurography sessions and board games.
In Chernihiv, an important eco-initiative was realized this summer during the "Eco-holidays" summer intensives, attended by 40 children from various communities. The children returned home with new knowledge, friends, and unforgettable impressions.
In June, three “Reach Now” program trainings and three "Emotional Burnout Prevention" trainings for educators were conducted in communities and in Chernihiv.
There were also nine community outreach trips, where creative activities and active games were organized for children, and a "Discover the Resource in Yourself" training for parents.
In Kyiv, daily 3-hour summer mini-intensives for children of various ages, creative classes, and individual psychological consultations are held.
At the end of June, we concluded a psychological support group for children aged 10–13 under the "Maiak" (eng. Lighthouse) program. Cooperation began with the "Ya-Mariupol" Center and Manhush community, where specialists will conduct weekly creative classes and provide psychosocial support. The TV journalism course from the "Veselka TV" studio continues, where children attend animation classes, acting workshops, and film a TV show.
The Kyiv Center of the “Voices of Children” CF visits residents of the Hansen modular town for IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) in the Bucha district weekly. After studying the problems and needs of children living there, we are starting to conduct group psychological and creative sessions, working with complex cases and appeals,
says the Kyiv Center coordinator.
says the Kyiv Center coordinator.
In Mykolaiv, “CAMP+” program groups for children continue, as well as a psychological group under the "Psychological Pearls for Every Child" program. Psycho-technical games, an "Active Recreation Club" for children aged 11–14, and a "Discussion Club" for older teenagers remain popular. The "Maiak" psychological group for children aged 11–14 has concluded, while the "Movie Club" and "Eco Club" for children aged 7–11 continue.
Four half-day summer intensives were conducted. The children who attended these intensives were very grateful for the time spent. These were the first classes that had not really seen each other due to online learning, therefore face-to-face communication was crucial for them.
An adult rehabilitation support group is ongoing. Thanks to parallel children's groups, adults gladly attend sessions while their children are also engaged in meaningful activities. IDPs note that this is not only an opportunity to improve their condition but also to find friends or like-minded people in a new place.
In Zaporizhzhia, "PALS" life skills development program groups for teenagers started this month in the Shyrokivska TH. In the Bilenkivska TH, the "Space for Your Changes" psychological group sessions under the "Safe Space" program concluded. "On the Wings of Support" sessions and art therapy sessions for children and adolescents continue. A one-day intensive "With Voices in Hearts" for children aged 9–11 was held on June 28th and was incredibly vibrant.
The "CAMP+" program's "Preserving and Restoring Mental Health" psychological group sessions for educators are ongoing. The "ReachNow" training for educators took place.
We observed a reduction in anxiety symptoms, development of a sense of personal influence over emerging psycho-emotional states, activation of personal resources, and expansion of constructive activities. I developed the ability to realize and distance myself from negative and anxious thoughts, and a sense of my own influence on my thoughts. The overall amount of energy increased, and a more useful and realistic attitude towards problems and one's ability to cope with them formed,
notes one participant.
notes one participant.
In Dnipro, a new “PALS” program group was launched, introducing new topics and approaches to interacting with children. Communication with children and experience sharing helped them gain important information for violence prevention. The atmosphere was so engaging that the children did not want to leave, and the meeting continued for an extra hour.
In June, seven community outreach trips were made, where children without parents had the opportunity to socialize, play games, and participate in our activities.
In Kryvyi Rih, the first shift of one-day "Veselkove lito" (eng. Rainbow Summer) intensives took place on the grounds of a local gymnasium. The atmosphere was comfortable, children learned to master their emotions, express them, and also learned how color and sound affect emotions. Although part of the intensive was held in a shelter, the specialists managed to spread positive vibes, so that all children were satisfied.
The “PALS” parent group also concluded, receiving positive feedback from participants. And 6 community outreach trips took place.
In Vysokyi this month, two intensives were organized where children made candles from beeswax and painted on T-shirts. The children's joy was boundless, and we were pleased to see them content.
In our summer intensive, children learned to make candles from natural beeswax and paint T-shirts. This allowed them to feel like real artists and express their talents,
shared a coordinator.
shared a coordinator.
Despite the difficult situation in the Kharkiv region, all three Centers continue community outreach trips. On Children's Day, they traveled to a very remote area, becoming the first foundation to visit since the war began and organize a celebration for children. The event began with a flash mob (group activity) that energized everyone. Children participated in various activities: face painting, creative classes, board games.
The Centers continue to provide active engagement for both adults and children. In these challenging times, it is crucial for visitors to find positive distractions from current events.
Follow the link to support the work of our foundation in psychological and psychosocial support for children and parents.
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