Sure Start

This project supports 60 orphans and children deprived of parental care in their transition from residential care to adult life. We run care leaving services, youth clubs, practical trainings and master-classes; offer individual mentoring support, legal, career and housing advice. Your donations will help to teach them social, vocational and independent living skills and give them a better position when starting independent life.

Every year around 1,000 of young people leave the rigorous Soviet-era childcare system in Ukraine. Having spent their entire lives in orphanages, they often lack the skills and support mechanisms needed for everyday life in the community and can easily become victims of alcohol and drug abuse, trafficking, teenage pregnancy. Statistics reveal that 20% of them are unable to get a job or profession, 41% see no prospect in resolving accommodation issues while 28% engage in criminal activities.

«I am thrilled thinking of my time leaving care because ahead is the beginning of an adulthood. On the other hand, I am anxious: what’s next? How is this all going to work out for me?” - Alina, 16 y.o., Vyshhorod

Within the Kyiv Region we run 4 leaving care services which offer social support, legal assistance and advice on further education, accommodation or employment. Through the weekly youth clubs young people are enabled to learn new and transferable life skills (nutritional cooking classes, computer literacy, CV writing etc.) Through mentoring support care-leavers develop interpersonal skills a build self-esteem and confidence. They are encouraged to extend personal networks outside institutions.

With the right help and people, orphans leaving care in Ukraine can achieve and thrive. Our goal is to ensure they have support, encouragement and opportunities they need to become confident in reaching their full potential, growing into productive citizens, increasing their chances to have successful lives. We aim to make a visible impact on a specific area within the Kyiv Region as well as to provide a gateway to more permanent support services at the national level.