Author:
Yuliia Didenko
August was a really eventful month at the Foundation, even as Russian attacks across Ukraine intensified and children and their families spent many nights in shelters. Sessions continued at our regional centers, along with outreach visits to communities. For the first time, alumni of all our art residencies came together in the Carpathians, while Liev Schreiber and Katheryn Winnick visited our Kyiv center. Well-known Ukrainians read poems by our teenagers, the “Thread” photo exhibition set off on a tour through Ukrposhta branches, the summer camp season came to an end, and together with the band Hyphen Dash, we completed a fundraiser for psychological support. Here is a closer look at each of these events.
Throughout August, we supported 938 children and 191 adults. Our psychologists provided 1,224 individual psychological sessions for children and adults, as well as 156 group psychological sessions and 541 psychosocial group sessions for children and families. Case managers provided consultations to 369 people who came to us for help with benefits, documents, and other issues. We also provided 465 consultations through our online support service.
Throughout August, we supported 938 children and 191 adults. Our psychologists provided 1,224 individual psychological sessions for children and adults, as well as 156 group psychological sessions and 541 psychosocial group sessions for children and families. Case managers provided consultations to 369 people who came to us for help with benefits, documents, and other issues. We also provided 465 consultations through our online support service.
“Children’s Poetry During the War, in the Voices of Adults”: Well-Known Ukrainians Read Teenagers’ Poetry
In August, we launched the video series “Children’s Poetry During the War, in the Voices of Adults.” Well-known Ukrainians read poems by our talented teenagers to show what childhood can look like during the war. Actor and director Akhtem Seitablaiev read a poem by Katia Skorokhod from Chernihiv, who began writing amid Russian attacks on her hometown and later joined our poetry lab with elements of art therapy. Poet and veteran Artur Dron gave voice to the words of Marichka Kostera, a girl who was forced to leave her home multiple times because of the war and who returns again and again in her writing to the question of what home means. Skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, Druha Rika band frontman Valerii Kharchyshyn, and Antytila band frontman Taras Topolia also joined the initiative.
Most of these poems were included in the collection “Oxygen. Books Must See Their Poets,” in which thirteen young authors share how they experience the emotions caused by the war. You can read the full collection via the link. Look out for new videos in the series on our social media in the coming weeks.
Most of these poems were included in the collection “Oxygen. Books Must See Their Poets,” in which thirteen young authors share how they experience the emotions caused by the war. You can read the full collection via the link. Look out for new videos in the series on our social media in the coming weeks.
Youth Retreat in the Carpathians: Bringing Together Alumni of Our Art Residencies
For the first time ever, we brought together alumni of all the Foundation’s art residencies in one place. At the Creative Residence MC6 in Slavske, 94 teenagers aged 16 to 19 from different cities and residencies spent six days together. Many of them live under constant Russian attacks, so our priority was to give them a chance to rest and regain a sense of stability.
Participants tried monotype printing and field recording, joined singing and acting workshops, spoke with the Foundation team during advocacy sessions, and listened to live music in the evenings by DakhTrio, Fusion Jams, and ShchukaRyba. What many of these teenagers lack most at home is a sense of safety, so psychologists were there throughout the retreat. Some allowed themselves to cry for the first time in a long while and finally got a good night’s sleep.
Participants tried monotype printing and field recording, joined singing and acting workshops, spoke with the Foundation team during advocacy sessions, and listened to live music in the evenings by DakhTrio, Fusion Jams, and ShchukaRyba. What many of these teenagers lack most at home is a sense of safety, so psychologists were there throughout the retreat. Some allowed themselves to cry for the first time in a long while and finally got a good night’s sleep.
I haven’t slept properly for a year. I don’t let myself cry. But here, after dancing, I couldn’t hold it back. I cried all evening — and then slept soundly,
Liev Schreiber and Katheryn Winnick Meet Children in Kyiv
This month, two well-known actors and UNITED24 ambassadors visited our Kyiv center. Liev Schreiber came together with the team of his organization, BlueCheck, which has provided $265,234 to Voices of Children over three years of partnership to support children affected by the war. After spending the night amid a Russian attack, the actor made candleholders with the children and spent half an hour in the shelter speaking with three teenage girls and listening to their stories of Russian occupation and leaving their homes. He later spoke about the visit on CNN and sent the Foundation a heartfelt letter.
Canadian actress of Ukrainian descent Katheryn Winnick also came to Kyiv ahead of Independence Day. Over the course of 24 hours, she had to go down to the shelter nine times. She later decorated oyster shells with the children and answered their questions about finding your path and staying connected to your culture while living abroad. On the memory wall at our center, she left a photo with the words “I love you!”
Canadian actress of Ukrainian descent Katheryn Winnick also came to Kyiv ahead of Independence Day. Over the course of 24 hours, she had to go down to the shelter nine times. She later decorated oyster shells with the children and answered their questions about finding your path and staying connected to your culture while living abroad. On the memory wall at our center, she left a photo with the words “I love you!”
The Thread Exhibition Travels Across Ukraine Through Ukrposhta Branches
A joint project by the Foundation and photographer Marta Syrko, the photo exhibition “Thread: Transformation Rather than Brokenness,” has set off on a journey across Ukraine. Fifteen portraits and fifteen stories of children whose lives have been upended by the war will be displayed at the main post offices of nine cities, from Sloviansk to Kherson. Teams at post offices near the front line were particularly concerned about keeping the children’s portraits safe, while in Dnipro, families who recognized themselves in the stories of other children reached out to psychologists after the exhibition opened. In this way, the children in the photographs are helping others find the courage to ask for support.
The Summer Camp Season Comes to an End
The last buses have left the Carpathians as Voices Camp wrapped up its summer season. This year, we held eight camp sessions for 448 children affected by the war. Psychological support and recovery from difficult experiences are at the heart of the camp: psychologists and camp leaders are always there, and during evening reflection sessions, anyone can talk about what they are going through and feel that they are not alone.
I’m really sad to leave. Of all the camps I’ve been to, this one is the best,
At the Lord of the Elements camp, teenagers spent a week moving through water, air, earth, and fire: rafting down a mountain river, tackling a rope course, climbing to a mountain summit, and spending evenings around the campfire. Meanwhile, at CAMP+, our other program for families of Ukraine’s defenders, women finally allowed themselves to rest. Anna, whose husband has been held in Russian captivity since April 2024, described those days simply: “It felt like visiting my mum.” For the fifth year in a row, each camp session has given these families 21 days spent in safety, with psychological sessions, art therapy, and community support.
Hyphen Dash Fundraiser Completed
Together with Hyphen Dash, we completed a fundraiser for psychological support for children, raising UAH 250,000 (more than €4,800) thanks to your support. It all began with a music lab for teenagers, where Myshko Birchenko, the band’s frontman, was one of the mentors. The band dedicated its album LATE, about time and being late, to the subject of children, and we launched the fundraiser alongside its release.
At the album launch, sculptures were unveiled for the first time: figures of children in blue raincoats holding “It’s late” signs and asking passers-by, “Can you hear our voices?” They will remain in Kyiv near Reitarska Circle and Kashtan café. If you happen to be nearby, stop for a moment: each sculpture has a QR code you can use to donate to support children at any time. Thank you to everyone who contributed and shared the fundraiser with others.
At the album launch, sculptures were unveiled for the first time: figures of children in blue raincoats holding “It’s late” signs and asking passers-by, “Can you hear our voices?” They will remain in Kyiv near Reitarska Circle and Kashtan café. If you happen to be nearby, stop for a moment: each sculpture has a QR code you can use to donate to support children at any time. Thank you to everyone who contributed and shared the fundraiser with others.
Sessions and Outreach Visits by the Foundation’s Regional Centers
Work continued at all our centers across Ukraine, including in frontline regions where children live under the constant threat of Russian attacks. Over the past month, we held several hundred individual sessions, group sessions, and outreach activities, so here we share just a few examples of what an ordinary August looks like at a regional center.
In Mykolaiv, children learned how to build friendships during psychological sessions, took part in performances at the Theater Workshop, and imagined their own wonders at the Lab of Spectacular Things. The team traveled to Kotliareve, Ukrainka, and Berezanka villages for one-day intensive programs, held sessions at the Kherson HUB, and organized a “Heroic Mykolaiv — City on the Wave” tour for children. High school students attended the session “Staying Calm: How to Prepare for the NMT,” where they learned to manage their anxiety while preparing for Ukraine’s national university entrance exam. Together with Bridge Ukraine Project, children attended an English-language Speaking Club and the interactive session “Traveling Through Portugal with Paula Branco.” Children also watched a bubble show and painted T-shirts.
In Mykolaiv, children learned how to build friendships during psychological sessions, took part in performances at the Theater Workshop, and imagined their own wonders at the Lab of Spectacular Things. The team traveled to Kotliareve, Ukrainka, and Berezanka villages for one-day intensive programs, held sessions at the Kherson HUB, and organized a “Heroic Mykolaiv — City on the Wave” tour for children. High school students attended the session “Staying Calm: How to Prepare for the NMT,” where they learned to manage their anxiety while preparing for Ukraine’s national university entrance exam. Together with Bridge Ukraine Project, children attended an English-language Speaking Club and the interactive session “Traveling Through Portugal with Paula Branco.” Children also watched a bubble show and painted T-shirts.
In Lviv, teenagers aged 13–16 explored what makes them unique through a program dedicated to the topic, while younger children painted during art therapy sessions. The workshop “Decorative Clay Stand” proved so popular that it had to be held again.
In Truskavets, the teenage group “Time for an Upgrade” completed its program. During the sessions, children learned teamwork and experimented with intuitive drawing. The team made six visits to the Kozyavkin Rehabilitation Clinic and the Krystal sanatorium, where children made colorful flowers, decorated gift boxes, and created bright compositions. In the city’s central square, the center held the “Bilas Through the Eyes of Children” event to mark the birthday of artist Mykhailo Bilas. The summer season ended with intensive programs including “Creativity and a Little Excitement,” “Holidays to the Full,” and “Create, Play, Connect.”
In Truskavets, the teenage group “Time for an Upgrade” completed its program. During the sessions, children learned teamwork and experimented with intuitive drawing. The team made six visits to the Kozyavkin Rehabilitation Clinic and the Krystal sanatorium, where children made colorful flowers, decorated gift boxes, and created bright compositions. In the city’s central square, the center held the “Bilas Through the Eyes of Children” event to mark the birthday of artist Mykhailo Bilas. The summer season ended with intensive programs including “Creativity and a Little Excitement,” “Holidays to the Full,” and “Create, Play, Connect.”
There were lots of fun games, the psychologists were really nice to talk to, and every time I came to the program, my mood immediately improved,
In Kropyvnytskyi, children drew ice cream, watermelons, and snails during summer workshops. As part of the “Colors of Summer” program, our specialists traveled to communities across the Kirovohrad region, including Pomichna, Adzhamka, and Pidhaitsi. The team received an especially warm welcome in the remote community of Pomichna.
I really enjoyed the session with the psychologist, decorating tote bags, and playing. Please visit us again!
In Kharkiv, psychosocial and psychoeducational groups continued, while parents attended separate meetings and a “Meditation Studio.” At the end of the month, the team visited the Bezliudivka community for the first time, where children in Bezliudivka and Vasyshcheve said goodbye to summer with the “Marathon” program. The center also helped host the “Thread” exhibition together with Ukrposhta. Families who relocated to Kharkiv from other cities were particularly grateful for the support of case manager Yuliia.
When you find yourself in an unfamiliar city with no information at all about what support is available, it’s very difficult. You were there for us at exactly the right time and truly helped us through a difficult period.
Our work continues despite Russian attacks.
In August, our Instagram Stories were viewed one million times. Thank you to everyone who reads, shares, and stays with us. Follow us for more useful advice for parents and moving stories that bring hope.
The attacks have not stopped, and children are still forced to spend nights in shelters. That is why the work of the Foundation’s specialists continues — at our centers, at our camps, and online. You can support Voices of Children with a donation: every contribution helps restore a child’s sense of stability and belief in kindness.
The attacks have not stopped, and children are still forced to spend nights in shelters. That is why the work of the Foundation’s specialists continues — at our centers, at our camps, and online. You can support Voices of Children with a donation: every contribution helps restore a child’s sense of stability and belief in kindness.
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