By Sophia Han

Kidsave first began working in Ukraine in 2016 as part of a larger effort to reform Ukraine’s child welfare system. In the early 2010s, there were more than 100,000 children labeled as “orphans” or “children deprived of parental care” living in orphanages and boarding schools across Ukraine. These children spent years growing up in crowded institutions, and then, when they turned 18, they were sent out into the world with little education, limited social skills, and no support system. To help these young people make the transition from institutional care into independent living successfully, Kidsave launched a Corporate Mentoring program called Pathway to Success in 2016.

The Pathway to Success program empowers teens to build healthy, productive, independent lives by connecting them to caring adult mentors who will help them succeed. This program helps older kids and teens plan for their futures and gain the skills and connections needed to reach their goals. Our team helps them understand their career interests, increase their confidence to enter the workforce and society, increase their motivation and readiness to work, and support their basic understanding of money management. At its core, this program works to help these teens navigate their futures and support them in ways they have never experienced before.

While things have been difficult during the war in Ukraine, our team has remained committed to the kids and maintained the Pathway to Success program. Here’s a recap of some of the program’s recent activities and updates:

  • In October, our team launched the “Taking Flight with Boeing” project with a captivating online opening event. The goal of the project is to engage professionals from Boeing to introduce the youth to a variety of professions in the company and become corporate mentors for those who are interested in working there. At the end of the project, these youths will showcase their individual projects, crafted during the course of the program.
  • On Nov 15, our team invited Boeing specialists to conduct “The History of Aviation” webinar. They provided an in-depth introduction to Boeing and the aviation industry. The youths exhibited keen interest, actively engaging by asking many questions. They received invaluable guidance from the speakers, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and making a positive impact in our world.
  • Our team held a financial literacy training for the kids in our program. They invited a financial coach from our partner organization, New Community, to teach 19 youths the basics of financial independence, the benefits and risks of loans, and effective ways to get financial stability. To cultivate practical application of their knowledge, the youths were divided into teams to conceptualize and develop their unique business projects, such as coffee shops and restaurants. Through this hands-on experience, they gained invaluable insights into the intricate processes of planning, problem-solving, and navigating financial challenges.

“It was so exciting to hear about the financial ladder. I also really enjoyed working in teams to create a business project,” said Misha, a 13-year-old who joined the program in 2023.

  • Our team organized an event called “A Journey to the World of Hospitality.” Twelve kids from our program visited Hilton Kyiv and learned about the work of different hospitality departments and motivational stories from the Hilton team. Under the guidance of Hilton employees, they had the opportunity to immerse themselves in different professions of the hospitality industry. Our youths were very grateful to the Hilton team for providing this valuable experience for them to discover and refine their career aspirations.

“I liked everything; it was so interesting to be in the role of a hotel employee. It was also interesting to learn how it all works there,” said Tanya, a 16-year-old who joined the program in 2023.

  • Our team held a training session that gathered a group of 15 young adults aged 18 to 21, all aspiring to become youth leaders or “Super Mentors.” They identified key issues they would like to work on, including aiding young mothers, supporting children with disabilities, and advancing the Kidsave Miracles Center‘s development. Following strategic discussions, teams were formed to brainstorm and develop their own innovative initiatives. This team-based approach fostered collaboration and unleashed creativity among the youths. Additionally, each participant underwent individual interviews about their involvement, aspirations, and potential contributions to the Super Mentors Leaders Club. The training concluded with a feedback session where they shared their insights and recommendations for ongoing advancement.
  • On Nov 18, our team held a “Self-Presentation Training” session featuring Svitlana Chernychuk, a distinguished psychologist and professional coach. Fifteen youth and seven mentors participated. This session aims to equip the youths with essential skills such as building self-confidence and effective communication strategies to ensure their voices are heard and respected. Having psychological support like this is always important for youth who have grown up in orphanages or institutions the way these young people have, but especially today in Ukraine, as they also face the horrors of war.

Kidsave in Ukraine

You can learn more about and support our team’s ongoing work in Ukraine at www.kidsave.org/ukraine/. To learn more about how your business can contribute to the Corporate Mentoring program, Pathway to Success, email Tatiana at tatiana@kidsave.org.