How the mobile team helped a family from Sloviansk overcome the crisis and find support

The year 2022 became a year of trials for a family from Sloviansk. The decision to move to the Odesa region to protect their children from danger was not an easy one, but it was necessary. Later, when it became relatively safe in their hometown, the family returned home, despite all the challenges of living in a frontline region.
“We returned because we missed our home dearly. But it was hard here. My husband has a disability, my mother is battling cancer, and I work part-time as a remote teacher. On top of that, we faced financial difficulties, as the children are growing and have their own needs, and our eldest son is already a student. Against the backdrop of constant anxiety and uncertainty, my husband and I felt powerless. This affected the children too—they started to worry and feel even more anxious,” shares Olha.

Upon learning about the mobile team of the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” the family decided to seek help.
“To be honest, at first, we were a little scared. It felt like we might be judged, but the opposite happened. During the very first meeting, the specialists listened to us attentively, asked questions, and I realized—they genuinely wanted to help. This inspired us to trust them,” the woman recalls.

Over the course of three months, the mobile team worked with the family, providing comprehensive support.
“Each of their visits became an event for us. We all felt that they truly cared about our well-being. The children received psychological support—this was very important to me, as they were visibly anxious because of our situation. They gave my younger son a safety backpack—he comes home late from sports training, and this reassured us a lot. I was also impressed by how much useful information they provided. Thanks to their advice, I was able to find an additional part-time job. They also helped us apply for winter financial assistance.”

The family not only received the necessary material assistance but also felt psychological support, which became key to overcoming their difficulties.
“We are working to support families in difficult circumstances, help them overcome crises, and restore their belief in their own strength. Olha’s family case shows how important trust and comprehensive assistance are,” comments Inna Trubnikova, a psychologist from the mobile team.

The assistance was provided within the framework of the project “Strengthening the Capacity of Communities in Providing Basic Protection and Resilience Services in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia Regions,” implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine and financial assistance from USAID.