“I will gain experience and open a family-type children’s home. This is my dream,” says Ivan, a social worker from Kryvyi Rih.
Ivan’s story is about how small actions grow into big dreams. As a schoolboy, he helped displaced people from Donetsk and Luhansk regions—collecting sweet gifts for children, writing motivational notes, and joining volunteer initiatives. Back then, he had no idea that this help would be the beginning of a long journey.
This year, Ivan is defending his thesis in social work at Kryvyi Rih Pedagogical University. But he didn’t wait for a diploma to start doing what truly matters. A year and a half ago, he joined the team of the NGO “Responsible Citizens,” working with families and children affected by the war. His job involves individual and group consultations, supporting those who have lost their footing, and being a source of hope for those who have almost lost it.
“I have always wanted to help people. At first, I thought of becoming a doctor, like my mother. But then I realized that there are many ways to help. Social work is about being there when it matters most. It’s about giving support to those who have lost it,” Ivan shares.
Growing up as the only brother in a large family, he understands how important family warmth is. That is why his dream is to create a family-type children’s home—a place where every child can feel like part of something bigger, where they are heard, protected, and loved.
“I’m gaining experience—both professional and personal. Right now, I am in an incredible team that helps me grow. But I have long known that my dream is to create a home for children who need family warmth. Every child should know they are not alone,” says Ivan.
His work is not just about consultations or planning—it’s about changing lives. “It is important for a person to understand who they are and what their place in the world is. Their decisions, opportunities, and future depend on this. And I want to be the one who helps them find it,” he says.
Stories like these prove that the humanitarian field is about choosing to be there for others and believing that even small support can change someone’s life. Ivan’s work in Dnipropetrovsk region is a great example of people for whom helping others is not just an accident but a true calling.
Більше новин
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Safe space for children in Malynivka: Restoring the community through supportIn the Malynivka community of Kharkiv region, which suffered from the full-scale invasion, NGO "Responsible Citizens" together with UNICEF Ukraine created a child-friendly Space. This place has become a pillar for children and families, helping to overcome fear and losses.
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NGO Responsible Citizens surveyed 1,004 people in Donetsk region to assess displacement trends and humanitarian needsNGO Responsible Citizens surveyed 1,004 people in Donetsk region to better understand the scale of displacement and current humanitarian needs. Such studies help to plan actions that address the challenges families face every day.
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Partnership That Works: Responsible Citizens Systematically Builds Cooperation with CommunitiesFor the NGO Responsible Citizens, work in a community does not begin with a single event and does not end once a project has been completed. We build a long-term presence and working partnerships at the local level — with communities, government authorities at all levels, educational institutions, social services, and cultural and youth organizations.
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Psychosocial Support for Children Affected by the War in Zaporizhzhia OblastThe activities were carried out within the framework of the UNICEF project in Ukraine “Strengthening Community Capacity to Deliver Essential Protection and Resilience Services in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts,” implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” with the support of the Government of the United States of America.
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In Prykolotne, a Community Shelter Was Upgraded with Support from a Small GrantThe project is implemented by the NGO “Responsible Citizens” in partnership with JERU – Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine (a joint initiative of Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide), with financial support from the Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine (HFU) / United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA Ukraine).
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BRIDGE 2.0: Strengthening Partnerships for SafetyAll projects of Responsible Citizens NGO focus on supporting people living near the front line, and participation in such events helps strengthen our work and ensure more systematic and coordinated assistance to communities.
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NGO “Responsible Citizens” has completed a project phase in partnership with JERU – Joint Emergency Response in UkraineIn view of the current security and humanitarian situation in the region, the implementation of the project has been extended until June 2026.
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Over 100 organizations unite for child-centered changeResponsible Citizens NGO has joined the Civil Society Collaboration Platform for the Best Interests of the Child — a space for cooperation between international, national and local organizations established to implement the Strategy to Ensure Every Child’s Right to Grow Up in a Family Environment in Ukraine (2024–2028).