Author:
Yuliia Didenko
During the summer months, the regional centers of the Voices of Children Foundation hosted many events. We wrapped up long group cycles and launched new ones, and also built partnerships to ensure that children and parents had professional support, a safe space, and a community.
Over two months, 1,466 children and 297 adults turned to the Foundation’s centers. Our psychologists conducted 1,512 individual psychological sessions, 258 psychological groups, 615 psychosocial groups for children and families, and outreach activities in local communities. In addition, they organized creative intensives, film screenings, and even an open-air water party. During June and July, our specialists completed important psychological programs and launched new projects. Most importantly, children made new friends, discovered their talents, and received the support they so greatly needed.
New Programs and Completed Groups
In July, in Mykolaiv and Truskavets, a number of psychological group programs for children of different age groups came to an end. At the same time, we began new cycles of sessions, including a program for managing aggressive behavior and a group for high school students. In Kyiv, the Time to Upgrade group for teenagers continued.
The My Superpower group for children aged 7–9 was completed in Lviv. One boy, who hardly spoke at the beginning of the group and kept to himself, said at the end of the sessions that his superpower was not being afraid when everyone else was. His words became a powerful moment that summed up the inner work of the whole group.
I really liked it when we played and painted together. It was funny to talk with other kids and share my feelings. The best part was making paper cutouts and playing board games, because we could laugh and help each other.
Children had similar experiences in other centers. In a teenage group called Unique in Chernihiv, informal communication was combined with practical exercises. This created an atmosphere of trust.
The participants of a teen group called Unique, teenagers, showed themselves throughout the sessions as engaged, open, and active. They attended the classes with enthusiasm, showed genuine interest in the topics discussed, and eagerly learned new things about themselves, others, and the world around them. The informal part of our meetings was especially valuable—sincere conversations over a cup of tea, which continued the class topics. It was in these moments that the trust, support, and sense of community among the participants were especially evident.
Summer Intensives and Creative Experiments
June and July became months of creative experiments. In Kryvyi Rih, children enjoyed making the toy Labubu from felt and foamiran, and because of the heat, we held another water party in the park.
Two Stress-Free Parenting groups were completed for adults, while teenagers took part in a literature club. The meetings drew so many participants in June that we had to add another table. In Mykolaiv, there were film clubs, an Active Leisure Club, a gaming club for different age groups, and the AnimeCreative Club.
Teenagers painted tote bags to mark Constitution Day of Ukraine, while younger children in one of the sessions answered the question, “What is the Constitution?”
Teenagers painted tote bags to mark Constitution Day of Ukraine, while younger children in one of the sessions answered the question, “What is the Constitution?”
In Kharkiv in June, we held unconventional art activities: string graphics, coffee painting, and 3D appliqué. We launched four groups for parents and conducted lectures on boosting self-esteem in the village of Kolomak. In July, we launched Teen Space and continued activities for children (plasticine graphics, appliqué, play spaces, and film clubs). We want to share how one of our support cases ended especially brightly.
Thank you for always being in touch and for our warm meetings. After the sessions, my son Liosha completely changed—he began to control himself, and his anxiety decreased. We wish your Foundation prosperity, and we will continue to send you the paintings!
In Dnipro, a support group for wives of Ukraine’s defenders was launched. Specialists at the centers organized three intensives combining intuitive drawing, watching cartoons, and board games. Clay classes became particularly popular—as the Dnipro Center Coordinator noted, working with clay turned out to be a process that not only relaxes children but also inspires them emotionally.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Foundation for supporting our family. For eight months, my daughter received regular psychological support. I see great progress: our relationship has become warmer, with more trust and understanding. Arina finds it easier now to openly share her feelings, and for me—to better understand and support her. Now my younger son Maksym is also receiving help from the Foundation, and I have already noticed how working with the psychologist helps him cope better with his emotions.
In June, our teams held children’s events and parent groups in two locations in Zaporizhzhia. In one of the libraries, a group of children formed who eagerly look forward to meetings with psychologists. Mothers call these sessions a safe haven, a place of hope and strength.
In Kyiv, we held 12 summer three-hour intensives and creative sessions for children, and organized a teen club. An interesting story happened in the local center. A mother came with her son, and when asked how they learned about the Foundation, the woman said her son had recently been chatting with GPT, looking for answers to questions that troubled him. The chatbot suggested he reach out to psychologists in Kyiv. Among the options offered was the Voices of Children Foundation. The mother became interested, read the website, learned about our approach, and then brought her son.
Partnership Projects and Special Events
The summer also brought bright partnership events. In Kyiv, we welcomed The Cultural Connection Project; fragments were filmed for a Netflix documentary (directed by an Italian filmmaker). More than 50 children took part in creative activities from the Ivan Honchar Museum during the Protasiv Yar festival. With the support of the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Brings Kids Back project, children met singer Jerry Heil and tennis player Elina Svitolina. They also attended a lecture by Ubisoft game producer Yevhen Skachkov.
In June, quests and drawing classes took place in Kryvyi Rih. We also organized a summer leisure space for the local high school. In addition, we held self-defense training with partners from the NGO Educated Initiative.
We are sincerely grateful to the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation! On behalf of the entire team of Kryvyi Rih Gymnasium [high school] No. 68, children, and parents, we express our deep gratitude for your active participation and incredible support of our summer leisure space! Thanks to you, children felt warmth, care, and genuine support. Your activities gave joy, self-belief, and created an atmosphere of safety and trust. Thank you for your sincerity, kindness, and the important mission you carry out every day.
In Kharkiv, our specialists conducted lectures for teachers and held a meeting with a Suspilne journalist. In Chernihiv, children took part in the Brave Tails event with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine’s cynologists, who showed the children how service dogs work. A meeting with the juvenile police dedicated to the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons helped teenagers learn more about safe behavior.
Mobile Teams: Support in Communities
Our mobile teams actively worked in villages and small towns. In Kharkiv, we held three outreach camps in the villages of Pokotylivka, Bezliudivka, and Vasyshcheve. The Kryvyi Rih team began working in the Karpivka community—in the remote villages of Andriivka and Radevycheve, where children study online and especially need our attention. In June, the team also worked in the summer camps of two local high schools.
The mobile team of Dnipro made 10 visits to the Mohyliv community and held development sessions for children. Families who needed support received assistance from our partners at IT Smart Project.
In Chernihiv, in addition to completing the Unique teenage group, our team made three visits to the Kozelets, Honcharivske, and Oster communities. We also collaborated with schools running summer camps.
In Chernihiv, in addition to completing the Unique teenage group, our team made three visits to the Kozelets, Honcharivske, and Oster communities. We also collaborated with schools running summer camps.
Thank you for the tremendous work you’ve done for our family! Daryna always attended activities in your space with great joy. At home, she always shared exciting stories about cartoons or various discussions.
June and July showed that our work is no less relevant in summer and during school holidays. Children continue to come to the centers, make friends, and receive professional psychological care. And we are always there to ensure that every child feels they are not alone—they will be heard and supported.
Currently, ten regional Voices of Children centers and mobile teams operate in Ukraine. In each center, children can find a community of like-minded peers, receive psychological support, and take part in creative activities and games.
There is also an online psychological support helpline at 0 800 210 106 (free of charge within Ukraine, working from 09:00 to 20:00).
Currently, ten regional Voices of Children centers and mobile teams operate in Ukraine. In each center, children can find a community of like-minded peers, receive psychological support, and take part in creative activities and games.
There is also an online psychological support helpline at 0 800 210 106 (free of charge within Ukraine, working from 09:00 to 20:00).
We thank our partners and all friends of the Foundation. Thanks to our joint efforts, children have more space for development and feeling joy even in times of war. Every contribution matters—please support the Foundation’s daily work with a donation.
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