New Child-Friendly Spaces open in Kharkiv Region
In January, new Child-Friendly Spaces began operating in Malynivska, Solonytsivska, Pivdenna, Zachepylivska, and Sakhnovshchynska communities. This marks an important milestone in the implementation of a joint project between the NGO “Responsible Citizens” and UNICEF Ukraine, funded by USAID – US Agency for International Development.
Each newly opened Space is a specially equipped area where children can receive social and psychological support—an urgent need due to the challenging situation in the Kharkiv region, particularly as many families have been forced to leave their homes. These Spaces are staffed by psychologists, art therapists, and other specialists who provide emotional relief for children and organize developmental activities. Parents are actively seeking opportunities to ensure their children continue learning and growing despite difficult circumstances, and these Spaces help fill that gap.
Speech therapy support is especially critical. The 18-month experience of “Responsible Citizens” has highlighted a high demand for free speech therapy services. Accordingly, speech therapy sessions have already started in the new Spaces.
Each Space offers comprehensive support for the entire family. Parents can access consultations with social workers, psychologists, and legal experts—vital assistance in navigating the numerous challenges families face during wartime. Additionally, positive parenting groups and activities to enhance parental skills are being conducted.
Olha Kosse, Chair of the Board of NGO “Responsible Citizens,” emphasized the indispensable role of international partners in strengthening the resilience of affected regions:
“Thanks to cooperation with international organizations, we can create essential conditions for children and adults in regions experiencing active hostilities. The joint efforts of international donors and Ukrainian NGOs lay the foundation for sustainable development in Ukraine’s affected regions.”
All services in the Child-Friendly Spaces are provided entirely free of charge.
Більше новин
-
Education in emergencies: experience shaping the futureThe coordinator of educational projects at the NGO "Responsible Citizens," Olena Bielolipetseva, participated in a three-day training session on "Education in Emergencies" held in Kyiv.
-
Improving the Quality of Child Reintegration Services in CommunitiesRegional Coordinator Alla Maslakhova and specialists from the NGO Responsible Citizens in Zaporizhzhia region took part in a UNICEF Ukraine workshop dedicated to the implementation of the Guiding Principles for the Reintegration Service Package within the Alternative Care and Return and Reintegration programs.
-
Providing Support to Evacuated People at the Transit Center in LozovaNGO Responsible Citizens, in partnership with Mercy Corps and with financial support from the UK Government, continues its work in transit centers for internally displaced people (IDPs).
-
Alla Maslakhova, Project Coordinator of NGO “Responsible Citizens,” in a Special Edition of the “SPIU PodcastWhat does responsibility look like in practice? What are the current trends in the civic sector? How do we provide support in frontline areas, what lessons have we ...
-
“Children are regaining their motivation to learn,” says a history teacher from Kryvyi RihIn September, catch-up classes were launched in communities in the Dnipropetrovsk region to help students recover from learning losses.
-
“In all the years of war, this is the first time I’ve received assistance,” shared 63-year-old Natalia Mykolaivna from Kehychivka in the Kharkiv regionWhen the full-scale invasion began, Natalia and her family made the decision to stay home. Besides the difficulty of leaving their home, where they had lived their ...
-
Experience exchange meeting: resilience centers in Bucha and ZaporizhzhiaA meeting was held in the Bucha Territorial Community, organized by the NGO "Responsible Citizens" as part of the project "Strengthening the Capacity of Communities in Providing Basic Protection and Resilience Services," implemented with the support of UNICEF.
-
Responsible Citizens сreate a working group of educatorsResponsible Citizens Create a Working Group of Educators Education is constant development, change, and challenges. It’s a competition for quality knowledge, reduci...