On June 18, the "Circle of Like-Minded People" meeting took place at the CAMPUS youth center, bringing together people whose mission is to give children a chance for a happy future.
Foster parents, foster parents, representatives of local authorities, children's services, the Center for Social Services, the Center for Resilience, educators, doctors, elders of the starostyn districts, the Charity Foundation "Volunteers: Adults for Children", and candidates for foster parents gathered in a safe, friendly space.
The event took place within the framework of the UNICEF project "Strengthening Alternative Care through Support for Better Care Reform in Kharkiv Oblast" and aimed to create a space for mutual support, exchange of experiences, and finding effective solutions for the development of family forms of upbringing in the community.
They talked about the main things: about children left without parental care, about the strength of families, about the support that the community can provide. Special attention was paid to social services - family support, early intervention, inclusive education, access to medical and psychological services.
Participants sincerely shared their stories, discussed the challenges they face every day, and together sought new approaches to caring, responsible parenting.
The common conclusion was the conviction: the best environment for a child to grow up is a family, where they feel love, care, and support.
«"A family-type orphanage is not just a roof over your head. It is a real family, where children find support, love, and a new life. They are not just under guardianship - they are part of the family. Together they rejoice, together they overcome difficulties," says mother-educator Natalia, a participant in the event.
It was a sincere, lively conversation — about love, responsibility, difficult decisions, and great victories.
More about how to adopt a child, at https://www.dity.gov.ua
There is also a specialized hotline in the Kharkiv region 0 800 300 823, where you can get advice.
UNICEF project "Strengthening Alternative Care through Support for Better Care Reform in Kharkiv Region", implemented by the Volunteers: Adults for Children Foundation together with the Children's Service of the Kharkiv Regional Administrative Organization and the Kharkiv Regional Center for Social Services with financial support from the Government of Ireland Irish Aid and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) through the state development bank KfW.
