Author:
Yuliia Didenko
In February, our centers organized Valentine’s Day events and carefully crafted other meaningful moments with themed sessions and community events. Alongside these activities, we continued to hold support groups for adults and work closely within local communities. During these meetings, parents spoke openly about the realities they are facing—the challenges of parenting during war, deep exhaustion, and ongoing fears for their children.
This month also marked an important milestone: the Voices of Children Foundation opened a new center in the city of Kropyvnytskyi. Almost in the direct middle of Ukraine, It is now the eleventh regional center on our map, meaning that even more children and families will have access to consistent, professional psychological support.
Over the course of the month, we supported 684 children and 271 adults. Our psychologists conducted 1,122 individual psychological sessions, 169 group psychological sessions, and 552 psychosocial group sessions for children and families. In addition, 509 people received assistance through our case management services. We also delivered training programs for 68 educators and 83 partners, strengthening the broader support network around children.
This month also marked an important milestone: the Voices of Children Foundation opened a new center in the city of Kropyvnytskyi. Almost in the direct middle of Ukraine, It is now the eleventh regional center on our map, meaning that even more children and families will have access to consistent, professional psychological support.
Over the course of the month, we supported 684 children and 271 adults. Our psychologists conducted 1,122 individual psychological sessions, 169 group psychological sessions, and 552 psychosocial group sessions for children and families. In addition, 509 people received assistance through our case management services. We also delivered training programs for 68 educators and 83 partners, strengthening the broader support network around children.
Kropyvnytskyi: A New Center and Meeting the Team
On February 14, Valentine’s Day, we opened our new center in Kropyvnytskyi at 29/29 Shevchenko Street, just a short walk from the Heroes of Maidan Square. Here, families can receive free consultations with psychologists and case managers as part of a project supported by the United States government.
The first week was filled with new connections, conversations, and energy. The team quickly began working with children and families. During the opening, they held sessions for children aged 5–12, where participants created foam cards, explored arts and crafts, played games, and engaged in physical activities.
In the following weeks, the center continued to offer a wide range of activities, including diamond mosaics, appliqué, plasticine art, watercolor painting, art therapy for parents and children, board game nights, and sessions focused on exploring emotions.
The first week was filled with new connections, conversations, and energy. The team quickly began working with children and families. During the opening, they held sessions for children aged 5–12, where participants created foam cards, explored arts and crafts, played games, and engaged in physical activities.
In the following weeks, the center continued to offer a wide range of activities, including diamond mosaics, appliqué, plasticine art, watercolor painting, art therapy for parents and children, board game nights, and sessions focused on exploring emotions.
Our Psychologist Alona launched a support group for mothers living at the Kirovohrad Regional Mother and Child Home, while case manager Olga provided on-site social support consultations. The team also began outreach work at the Intellect Gymnasium, where younger students created “Flying Butterflies,” and older students explored topics of conflict and communication.
The Parents’ Club has also launched and meets every Saturday from 12:00 to 14:00, offering a welcoming space for those who want to better understand and support their children.
The Parents’ Club has also launched and meets every Saturday from 12:00 to 14:00, offering a welcoming space for those who want to better understand and support their children.
Psychological Programs for Children Across Our Centers
In Truskavets, Sumy, and Mykolaiv, new groups for children aged 5–10 were launched, while ongoing programs continued to provide stability and familiarity. In Sumy, safe spaces for teenagers in Trostyanets and psychosocial groups help children better understand and express their emotions.
In Mykolaiv, programs focused on emotional development and the CAMP+ methodology concluded successfully, alongside ongoing creative and group activities. In Kyiv, the Resource Center continued hosting “Little Voices Club” sessions, where children explored anxiety, stress responses, empathy, and communication skills.
We are very grateful to Olena, who brings the children together and teaches them to work as a team in a friendly atmosphere. Wishing you success in your work,
In Lviv, art therapy and psychosocial group sessions remain central. Specialists note that creative expression, especially through drawing, games, and movement, helps children process their emotions, build trust, and improve their overall well-being.
The team in Zaporizhzhia continued holding support sessions for children at the library. The sessions were based on the collection titled “Program of Activities to Help Children with Special Educational Needs Overcome Nervous Tension, Anxiety, and Fears.”
Restoring a Sense of Childhood Through Creative Activities
Creative expression remains a powerful tool for healing. In Kharkiv, children participated in psychosocial sessions using 3D pens, creating candle holders, dream catchers, and sculptures.
A foundation that cares for people. We are infinitely grateful for your care and support; words cannot express how thankful we are for everything you do. You are wonderful, inspiring—you are the best!
In Dnipro, experts held dozens of workshops allowing children of all ages to work with clay, felt, and other materials, while also engaging in storytelling and imaginative play. The children especially enjoyed the flashlight activities and creating a “starry sky” in the village of Lyubymivka.
The teams across our centers organized six teen clubs: team games, strategy battles, creative activities, challenges, and watching and discussing cartoons. Those teens developed communication and leadership skills during a special program called “Liutyi Week”—with interesting tasks, experiments, games, and quests. “Liutyi Week” — a play on words in Ukrainian, where “liutyi” means both “February” and “fierce” or “intense.”
The teams across our centers organized six teen clubs: team games, strategy battles, creative activities, challenges, and watching and discussing cartoons. Those teens developed communication and leadership skills during a special program called “Liutyi Week”—with interesting tasks, experiments, games, and quests. “Liutyi Week” — a play on words in Ukrainian, where “liutyi” means both “February” and “fierce” or “intense.”
In Lviv, the workshops included spatial mosaics, creating symbols of resilience, and making three-dimensional flowers. In Kryvyi Rih, the team organized a theater workshop and teen clubs to foster teamwork. In Truskavets, they held a creative game session called “Brain Trainer,” and film clubs and board game clubs were active in a nearby village of Ulichne.
In Mykolaiv, at the Kropyvnytskyi Library, the team held storytelling sessions for younger schoolchildren, family film clubs, and creative workshops. In Kyiv, they held acting workshops, an eco-club, a film club, and storytelling sessions.
In Mykolaiv, at the Kropyvnytskyi Library, the team held storytelling sessions for younger schoolchildren, family film clubs, and creative workshops. In Kyiv, they held acting workshops, an eco-club, a film club, and storytelling sessions.
February Events: Speaking About Feelings Through Creativity
Valentine’s Day activities across centers created a gentle entry point to talk about emotions, friendship, and care. In Sumy, teenagers participated in a session titled “First Love.” Meanwhile in Mykolaiv, the team conducted a series of sessions including an interactive session titled “First Valentine’s Card” for first graders, and in Kharkiv, the team held themed events at the underground metro school.
In Lviv, a series of themed workshops has been organized: “Love Cup: A Gift in a Cup,” “Kinetic Heart of Love,” and “Quilling-Art Heart Card.” In Dnipro, a Valentine’s Day week was organized featuring the creation of cards and gifts, as well as a monthly advent calendar of sorts with daily tasks.
In Truskavets and Kryvyi Rih, the team organized a workshop on making Valentine’s Day cards, including ones made from paper tubes.
In Truskavets and Kryvyi Rih, the team organized a workshop on making Valentine’s Day cards, including ones made from paper tubes.
I am very grateful to the “Voices of Children” Foundation and its staff—especially Yulia and the psychologist—for their help, for the great joy and the happy eyes of the children,
At the Zaporizhzhia center, a Valentine’s Day photo zone and wish box gave children a space to share kind words with one another.
Even in the most difficult conditions, children continued to show up. Yet on February 12, classes were canceled due to a major drone attack. Later in the month, the team worked between air raids, continuing sessions after nights of heavy shelling. Despite everything, children kept coming. One session was reimagined as a family activity, where children and their mothers created three-dimensional flower arrangements together. This shared creative process brought a sense of connection and optimism.
Then the group session titled “I’m Not Afraid!” took on a deeper meaning—not just resilience, but the courage to continue creating beauty, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Then the group session titled “I’m Not Afraid!” took on a deeper meaning—not just resilience, but the courage to continue creating beauty, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Continuing in Truskavets, the team held a themed session titled “Angels of Freedom” to mark the Day of Remembrance for the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred. In Lviv, children created crafts symbolizing resilience and strength. In Mykolaiv, in collaboration with the Children’s Art School, they organized the opening of the exhibition “My Ukraine”—an event featuring discussions about values, identity, and love for one’s homeland.
Supporting Parents: Resource Groups and Practical Tools
Supporting parents remains a critical part of our work. Across centers, resource groups provided practical tools, emotional support, and space for reflection. In Mykolaiv, parents joined question-and-answer sessions with specialists. In Kharkiv, the team held a meditation workshop for parents, as well as weekly themed psychological sessions featuring creative activities—drawing, felting, and pyrography.
In Lviv, a parent resource group operated, which participants describe as an important space for emotional support. During regular meetings, parents shared their experiences of coping with stress and found support within the community of other parents.
In Lviv, a parent resource group operated, which participants describe as an important space for emotional support. During regular meetings, parents shared their experiences of coping with stress and found support within the community of other parents.
In Truskavets, the team held several workshops for women—“Time for Yourself and Self-Discovery” and “Intuitive Drawing.” They also organized two group sessions titled “Children and Gadgets: Finding a Balance.”
I had the opportunity to attend a support group meeting for women. It was an incredible experience: we talked and created art together. Everyone opened up in their own way. Thank you to the organizers for the wonderful experience and great planning,
In Kryvyi Rih, three group sessions were held for adults: “Nonviolent Parenting,” “The Language of Acceptance as a Conflict-Resolution Skill,” and “Dealing with Emotions.” A family-oriented group was also organized. In Kyiv, “Parental Space” groups and the newly launched “Motherhood with an A” sessions focused on stress management, emotional regulation, and supporting children through crisis.
Parents consistently describe these groups as vital spaces where they feel heard, supported, and less alone.
Parents consistently describe these groups as vital spaces where they feel heard, supported, and less alone.
Mobile Teams in Communities: Psychological Support in Villages and Small Towns
Throughout February, mobile teams made dozens of visits to villages and small towns. In Dnipro, the team made eight visits: four to the community of Mohyliv, two to the village of Lyubymivka, and two to Verkhivtseve. They held creative workshops for children, including modeling with clay, as well as active and board games.
The team from the Kharkiv center regularly visited the village of Slobozhanske, conducting creative and game-based activities. In Kryvyi Rih, they made seven visits to communities. They held one educational session on bullying, provided psychosocial support, and conducted seven creative activities for children of various ages.
The team from the Kharkiv center regularly visited the village of Slobozhanske, conducting creative and game-based activities. In Kryvyi Rih, they made seven visits to communities. They held one educational session on bullying, provided psychosocial support, and conducted seven creative activities for children of various ages.
The Truskavets team conducted 20 outreach sessions. In Skole, group sessions continued at a local preschool. The team organized a professional development workshop on right-brain drawing for the facility’s staff. At the Kozyavkin Clinic, they held a psychoeducational session for parents and a modeling session using air-dry clay for children. In Drohobych, an art therapy session for children and a resource meeting for women were organized.
The Mykolaiv team worked in the village of Kryva Balka, where psychologists conducted programs at several facilities simultaneously. In Kyiv, the mobile team worked in the villages of Bobryk and Myrcha. In Sumy, the team continued its work in Trostyanets and held a psychological session titled “Drawing with Coffee” for educators.
The team from Zaporizhzhia traveled to the village of Novoslobodka. Psychologists also worked with displaced communities—Malobilozerska, Velykobilozerska, and the Melitopol community.
The Mykolaiv team worked in the village of Kryva Balka, where psychologists conducted programs at several facilities simultaneously. In Kyiv, the mobile team worked in the villages of Bobryk and Myrcha. In Sumy, the team continued its work in Trostyanets and held a psychological session titled “Drawing with Coffee” for educators.
The team from Zaporizhzhia traveled to the village of Novoslobodka. Psychologists also worked with displaced communities—Malobilozerska, Velykobilozerska, and the Melitopol community.
Collaboration with Partners: Libraries, Schools, and Kindergartens.
In Mykolaiv, the team continues to work with the Kropyvnytskyi Library and the Korabelny District Library. At Preschool No. 117, there are two creative groups and a psychological support program, and our specialists organized a family field trip for beneficiaries to the Local History Museum.
In Kyiv, the children attended a musical performance of “The Snow Queen” at the National Philharmonic of Ukraine. They also attended a charity breakfast at the KFC restaurant chain and a master class on making khachapuri at the “Chachapuri” restaurant! The “Land of Dreams” children’s entertainment center prepared a program for vulnerable children supported by the foundation, all amounting to a great month of excursions across Kyiv.
In Kyiv, the children attended a musical performance of “The Snow Queen” at the National Philharmonic of Ukraine. They also attended a charity breakfast at the KFC restaurant chain and a master class on making khachapuri at the “Chachapuri” restaurant! The “Land of Dreams” children’s entertainment center prepared a program for vulnerable children supported by the foundation, all amounting to a great month of excursions across Kyiv.
In Kharkiv and Sumy, teams distributed gifts from the Fishka project to children. Fishka is a corporate partner of ours.
In Zaporizhzhia, two ReachNow training sessions were held for professionals who work with children. The second day of one of these sessions fell on February 24th, the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion. Participants noted that it was important for them to spend this difficult day together—in a warm atmosphere and in a meaningful way. This helped them feel supported and continue doing everything possible to keep life going.
In Zaporizhzhia, two ReachNow training sessions were held for professionals who work with children. The second day of one of these sessions fell on February 24th, the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion. Participants noted that it was important for them to spend this difficult day together—in a warm atmosphere and in a meaningful way. This helped them feel supported and continue doing everything possible to keep life going.
Individual Counseling: A Growing Need
An increasing number of families are seeking individual assistance at our centers.In Kharkiv, for example, there are many requests for consultations with psychologists and speech therapists. Individual consultations help tailor advice to a specific family. Specialists note that parents come to us with various concerns: some want to assess their child’s speech, while others want to discuss their child’s emotional state, behavior, or learning difficulties.
We often hear directly from children how they are experiencing war in everyday moments. One such moment took place during a session in Sumy.
There were candies on the specialists’ table, and the children asked if they could have some. The adults shared that these were candies from their own childhood in Poltava. A girl quietly replied: “Our parents were lucky—there was no war during their childhood.”
We often hear directly from children how they are experiencing war in everyday moments. One such moment took place during a session in Sumy.
There were candies on the specialists’ table, and the children asked if they could have some. The adults shared that these were candies from their own childhood in Poltava. A girl quietly replied: “Our parents were lucky—there was no war during their childhood.”
Every day, the foundation’s psychologists see how timely support helps children navigate this difficult experience. They gradually learn to understand their emotions and find inner strength. They learn to connect with others, build relationships with their peers, and once again feel that there are adults nearby whom they can trust.
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