Author:
Yuliia Didenko
The sun sets earlier, and evenings are noticeably cooler. For children, this is a time when warmth, care, and support are especially important. In October, the Foundation’s specialists created safe spaces where children could talk about their feelings, draw, play, dance, or simply be themselves.
This month, we provided support to 645 children and 257 adults. Our psychologists conducted 869 individual psychological sessions for children and adults, 119 psychological group sessions for children and adults, and 357 psychosocial group sessions for children and their families. In addition, Voices Camp hosted 45 participants.
We also organized autumn camps and concluded our summer camps; launched new psychological programs for children; and continued to support parents. Halloween parties were held too—for many, this was the first chance in a long time to simply have fun without worrying. Mobile teams visited communities more frequently, reaching children who do not have regular access to psychological support. We collected reports from all Foundation centers to present the highlights of October in this article.
This month, we provided support to 645 children and 257 adults. Our psychologists conducted 869 individual psychological sessions for children and adults, 119 psychological group sessions for children and adults, and 357 psychosocial group sessions for children and their families. In addition, Voices Camp hosted 45 participants.
We also organized autumn camps and concluded our summer camps; launched new psychological programs for children; and continued to support parents. Halloween parties were held too—for many, this was the first chance in a long time to simply have fun without worrying. Mobile teams visited communities more frequently, reaching children who do not have regular access to psychological support. We collected reports from all Foundation centers to present the highlights of October in this article.
Lviv: Affirmation Cards and Plenty of Creative Activities
In the Lviv center, October was marked by intensive work with children aged 5 to 17. Specialists focused on developing emotional intelligence, teamwork, and self-expression through creativity. Children created autumn trees, jars filled with leaves, owls on branches, and felt brooches, played board games, and attended movie screenings in the evenings.
Among all activities, the Tree of My Value project stood out. This creative session helped teenagers better understand themselves and develop a positive attitude toward their personal traits. The My Ideal Autumn Day psychosocial session taught children self-reflection and emotional recovery. The animated series Thoughts Inside Out became an occasion for a meaningful conversation with children about feelings, fears, and ways to express them without judgment. Such films help children understand that all their emotions are normal and can be named and experienced.
The most important October story in Lviv is about a girl whose father is fighting on the front line, and whose mother hardly takes care of her. When she first came to the center, specialists described her as a “real little storm”: hyperactive, uncontrollable, seeking attention in any way. However, sessions with a psychologist and creative intensives transformed her: she became calmer, more attentive, began to smile, and started listening to others. After each session, the girl showed a new affirmation card she had drawn to express her feelings. The center coordinator gifted her an album, paints, and pencils, and since then, she paints every evening at home.
Among all activities, the Tree of My Value project stood out. This creative session helped teenagers better understand themselves and develop a positive attitude toward their personal traits. The My Ideal Autumn Day psychosocial session taught children self-reflection and emotional recovery. The animated series Thoughts Inside Out became an occasion for a meaningful conversation with children about feelings, fears, and ways to express them without judgment. Such films help children understand that all their emotions are normal and can be named and experienced.
The most important October story in Lviv is about a girl whose father is fighting on the front line, and whose mother hardly takes care of her. When she first came to the center, specialists described her as a “real little storm”: hyperactive, uncontrollable, seeking attention in any way. However, sessions with a psychologist and creative intensives transformed her: she became calmer, more attentive, began to smile, and started listening to others. After each session, the girl showed a new affirmation card she had drawn to express her feelings. The center coordinator gifted her an album, paints, and pencils, and since then, she paints every evening at home.
We agreed that someday we will print all her cards and write a supportive phrase on each. Every time I see these changes, I understand how much care she needs and how much it matters to have someone nearby. For her and for us, these small victories are a true miracle,
The activities of the Lviv center are made possible thanks to the financial support of the Ukrainian company Kormotech.
Kryvyi Rih: Crab Dance and a Magical School
In Kryvyi Rih, the team conducted 11 visits to local schools with leisure activities in October. Mobile teams visited the village of Rannii Ranok in the Lozuvatka community seven times and Zhovti Vody once. In Zhovti Vody, the Summer Camp 2025 organized by the Foundation team also concluded.
The center conducted psychosocial activities to develop children’s leadership, communication, and self-presentation skills. Discussions covered emotions, feelings, and stress-coping techniques. Creative activities focused on autumn and Halloween themes: children made cheerful monsters, ghosts, cute gnomes, pumpkins, and Halloween decorations. Older children in the teen club helped decorate the center for the Halloween party, the brightest event of the month.
At one creative session, a boy decided to liven up the atmosphere. He asked to play Noisestorm—Crab Rave and began dancing the “crab dance.” His energy proved so contagious that everyone joined in.
The thematic event Magical School of Goodness gathered young wizards. Children brewed mood potions, practiced trust and support exercises, cast “spells of goodness,” and wrote letters with warm wishes.
The center conducted psychosocial activities to develop children’s leadership, communication, and self-presentation skills. Discussions covered emotions, feelings, and stress-coping techniques. Creative activities focused on autumn and Halloween themes: children made cheerful monsters, ghosts, cute gnomes, pumpkins, and Halloween decorations. Older children in the teen club helped decorate the center for the Halloween party, the brightest event of the month.
At one creative session, a boy decided to liven up the atmosphere. He asked to play Noisestorm—Crab Rave and began dancing the “crab dance.” His energy proved so contagious that everyone joined in.
The thematic event Magical School of Goodness gathered young wizards. Children brewed mood potions, practiced trust and support exercises, cast “spells of goodness,” and wrote letters with warm wishes.
Zaporizhzhia: 296 Children and Four Parties
The Zaporizhzhia center held autumn camps in two large relocated communities, reaching 296 children. Intensive work by psychologists gave children a chance to relax from stress, make new friends, and feel joy. A parent group continued, and two ReachNow trainings were conducted for professionals working with children.
This month, the team organized four Halloween parties for children of different age groups and its own Halloween-style party.
This month, the team organized four Halloween parties for children of different age groups and its own Halloween-style party.
Kharkiv: Words of Gratitude Warm Hearts
The Kharkiv center continued teen group activities under the PALS and NOVA programs. In October, specialists conducted many thematic Halloween activities, including two large parties for younger and older children. Psychosocial sessions continued: clay modeling, paper cutouts, play spaces, film clubs, candle-making workshops, and wood burning.
Several parent groups continued operating. Mobile teams visited Zlatopil and the village of Khorosheve. French journalists also visited Khorosheve, filming activities with children and interviewing a psychologist.
Several parent groups continued operating. Mobile teams visited Zlatopil and the village of Khorosheve. French journalists also visited Khorosheve, filming activities with children and interviewing a psychologist.
I want to express deep gratitude to the Voices of Children Foundation and to all the professionals who give care there. Especially our case manager Veronika and psychologist Maryna, who greatly help my family. They are sensitive, gentle, attentive girls, but with limitless strength, kindness, and humanity. Thank you for the help that is so urgently needed for our family. There are a few people like them who, despite their own pain, can help and care for others,
In Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Zaporizhzhia, the Voices of Children Foundation is implementing the project “Improving Child Protection and MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) Mechanisms for Children, Adolescents, and Families Affected by the Conflict in Ukraine” in partnership with the international NGO Plan International, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt).
Truskavets: The Magical World of Emotions
In Truskavets, a new group Magical World of Emotions started for children aged 5–7 in October. This is an important age when children begin to understand and name what they feel. A support group for children aged 9–11 also continued.
Children made little foxes, hedgehogs, and owls; created pumpkins and other crafts from felt and paper strips using quilling; played quizzes and braided bracelets. The most vivid creative sessions were Monster Lab—Factory of Fantasies, where children sculpted funny monsters from air clay, Time Together: Play and Weave, and ArtVibe (cinema + creativity).
Our psychologists conducted two trainings for educators under the Teachers and War program, supporting those who work daily with children and also need resources and tools to maintain their mental health.
Children made little foxes, hedgehogs, and owls; created pumpkins and other crafts from felt and paper strips using quilling; played quizzes and braided bracelets. The most vivid creative sessions were Monster Lab—Factory of Fantasies, where children sculpted funny monsters from air clay, Time Together: Play and Weave, and ArtVibe (cinema + creativity).
Our psychologists conducted two trainings for educators under the Teachers and War program, supporting those who work daily with children and also need resources and tools to maintain their mental health.
In Truskavets, the Voices of Children Foundation implements the project ER-Voices-Tru-UKR-2024-II in partnership with the Swiss organization for children’s aid Terre des Hommes.
Kyiv: Shelter Sessions and Football with Dynamo
Mobile teams from the Kyiv center visited Myrcha, Bobryk, Hostomel, and launched the Beacon psychological group (ages 10–12) at the regional center and Bobrynets High School in Brovary district. In Myrcha, Borodianka community, the World of Emotions group started. Psychologists conducted a psychoeducational session on World Mental Health Day at the International Private School in Kyiv, focusing on bullying prevention.
During one visit to the high school in Bobryk, an air raid siren sounded. Despite the lack of heat in the shelter, specialists conducted a positive and active session. This showed how important it is to adapt to any conditions and bring joy to children even in difficult circumstances.
A new support group for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders, Motherhood with a Letter A, began with Olena Shalashna and Antonina Vysotska. Several psychoeducational sessions for parents were conducted throughout the month.
The brightest October event was a joint activity with FC Dynamo and Bring Kids Back. Twenty-two children, supported by our Foundation, who play football professionally, stepped onto the field before the Dynamo–Metalist match. Kyiv also hosted a week of Halloween parties and creative activities, as well as visits from potential donors wishing to support the Foundation’s work.
The Kyiv center’s activities are carried out with the support of the German humanitarian organization Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe within the project K-UKR-2025-4015.
During one visit to the high school in Bobryk, an air raid siren sounded. Despite the lack of heat in the shelter, specialists conducted a positive and active session. This showed how important it is to adapt to any conditions and bring joy to children even in difficult circumstances.
A new support group for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders, Motherhood with a Letter A, began with Olena Shalashna and Antonina Vysotska. Several psychoeducational sessions for parents were conducted throughout the month.
The brightest October event was a joint activity with FC Dynamo and Bring Kids Back. Twenty-two children, supported by our Foundation, who play football professionally, stepped onto the field before the Dynamo–Metalist match. Kyiv also hosted a week of Halloween parties and creative activities, as well as visits from potential donors wishing to support the Foundation’s work.
The Kyiv center’s activities are carried out with the support of the German humanitarian organization Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe within the project K-UKR-2025-4015.
Mykolaiv: Beacons and Compasses in the World of Feelings
The Mykolaiv center launched several new psychological programs: Compass in the World of Feelings (ages 8–9), My Superpower under CAMP+ (ages 5–7), Beacon (ages 10–12), and My Life Is My Choice (ages 15–18). Film clubs for various age groups, an active leisure club, a play club, and AnimeCreative (ages 11–15) continued to operate. For Halloween, children made decorations; for Ukrainian Defender’s Day, they created charms for soldiers.
Specialists conducted a series of creative activities, quests, storytelling, therapeutic fairy tales, relays games, and unique experiments. A significant event was the opening of a Saturday parent group—a space where adults can ask questions about parenting and receive support.
Events were held at the Library named after Kropyvnytskyi and Kherson HUB Source of Strength for parents, with creative activities for World Smile Day, Teacher’s Day, and Defender’s Day. In the villages of Koravelove, Mishkovo-Pogorilove, and Sviatomykolaivka, they worked with children in kindergartens.
Specialists conducted a series of creative activities, quests, storytelling, therapeutic fairy tales, relays games, and unique experiments. A significant event was the opening of a Saturday parent group—a space where adults can ask questions about parenting and receive support.
Events were held at the Library named after Kropyvnytskyi and Kherson HUB Source of Strength for parents, with creative activities for World Smile Day, Teacher’s Day, and Defender’s Day. In the villages of Koravelove, Mishkovo-Pogorilove, and Sviatomykolaivka, they worked with children in kindergartens.
Dnipro: Every Child Finds Their Place
The Dnipro center conducted over 15 psychosocial and creative sessions for various age groups. Specialists helped children develop emotional resilience, creative thinking, and communication skills. Psychologists aimed to create a safe space for self-expression. In October, the team hosted donors from the USA and France and organized an event for children and adults from the patronage service of the 93rd Brigade Kholodnyi Yar.
My son says after sessions that this is the best place on earth,
Younger children (ages 5–9) enjoyed working with clay, paper crafts, and drawing with plasticine while watching cartoons. Favorite programs included Autumn in the Palms and Mushroom Glade.
Older children created keychains made from fuse beads, salt dough crafts, and painted with gouache in intuitive drawing sessions, which help express emotions through colors and shapes. Among teens, group meetings,that included informal communication and playing board games, were popular. These activities help build trust, understanding, and support among adolescents.
Older children created keychains made from fuse beads, salt dough crafts, and painted with gouache in intuitive drawing sessions, which help express emotions through colors and shapes. Among teens, group meetings,that included informal communication and playing board games, were popular. These activities help build trust, understanding, and support among adolescents.
I will stay here with you until evening, I won’t go home. I like being with you,
At Lyceum No. 13, the center conducted psychosocial quests to develop communication, mutual respect, teamwork, and cohesion. Psychologists also began sessions within the How Are You program, approved by the Ministry of Education for school students. The program is implemented at Secondary School No. 22 for fifth graders.
The mobile team visited different areas of the region nine times. Four times they went to Mohyliv community, four to the village Malozakharyne, and once to the new Bozhedarivka community. Children from the communities asked if our psychologists would come again, thanking them for the dances.
The mobile team visited different areas of the region nine times. Four times they went to Mohyliv community, four to the village Malozakharyne, and once to the new Bozhedarivka community. Children from the communities asked if our psychologists would come again, thanking them for the dances.
Maybe you won’t leave us? Because we like spending time with you,
The work of the centers in Mykolaiv and Dnipro is carried out within the EMPOWER project (K-UKR-2025-4026), supported by the German humanitarian organization Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe.
Children come to our centers not only for psychological support. They enjoy a place where they are heard, where they can draw affirmation cards, dance the crab dance, and step onto the football field before a match of their favorite team. A place where they can talk about what they feel and know they won’t be judged. Halloween celebrations gave children a chance to feel joy and lightness despite the challenges of the war.
Ahead lies a new month, new stories, and new opportunities to help those who need it.
Children come to our centers not only for psychological support. They enjoy a place where they are heard, where they can draw affirmation cards, dance the crab dance, and step onto the football field before a match of their favorite team. A place where they can talk about what they feel and know they won’t be judged. Halloween celebrations gave children a chance to feel joy and lightness despite the challenges of the war.
Ahead lies a new month, new stories, and new opportunities to help those who need it.
We thank our partners and all friends of the Foundation! Thanks to our joint work, children have more space for development and joy even in times of war.
Currently, ten regional Voices of Children centers and mobile teams operate across Ukraine. In each center, children can find a supportive community, receive psychological support, and take part in creative activities and games. An online psychological support helpline is also available: 0 800 210 106 (free of charge within Ukraine, calls accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
Currently, ten regional Voices of Children centers and mobile teams operate across Ukraine. In each center, children can find a supportive community, receive psychological support, and take part in creative activities and games. An online psychological support helpline is also available: 0 800 210 106 (free of charge within Ukraine, calls accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.).
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