Art Empowerment for Disabled and Elderly in Poland

At To The Future, we believe it is our duty to make this difficult time in Poland at least a little lighter for the families, children, and elderly people from Ukraine who have come to us. The art therapy we carry out as part of our statutory mission is not just about cutting paper or painting. It is about building something anew — offering the chance to forge new friendships and the hope of a little respite from grief.

Because art has no borders. It is a universal language that heals where words fall short.

This time we want to write a story about Easter far from home.

The door to our room opened timidly. Mrs. Tatiana stood in the doorway. In her eyes, there was a particular kind of determination mixed with anxiety — that specific concern for something that might seem trivial to an outside observer, yet was, in that moment, the most important thing in the world to her.

“Could you help me find my artwork? The one from the Easter workshop?” she asked.

We found it. When the picture reached her hands, Mrs. Tatiana smiled in a way that I will remember for a long time. She told us that the artwork would be placed at the center of her Easter table — that it would make the upcoming holiday at least a little more joyful.

We want to continue giving Mrs. Tatiana and dozens of others a space to create, to breathe, and to belong. If you feel this mission resonates with you, please support our initiative:

Support “Art Without Borders” → tothefuture.pl

Links:

• Social media To The Future

Each week, our Social Support Centre opens its doors to a special group of people—seniors who carry not only years of experience but also stories shaped by loss, displacement, and the quiet strength that comes with starting anew. Many of them arrived in Poland seeking safety after the war in Ukraine. Some came with family; others arrived alone. For many, the word “home” has taken on an entirely new meaning.

Our centre has become more than just a space for painting or drawing—it is a place where people feel they belong. Art remains at the heart of what we do, but just as important as creativity is the sense of being seen, respected, and valued as a human being. Every brushstroke, every conversation over tea, every shared smile reminds our participants that they matter.

Some of our seniors live with children or relatives, often in small spaces, navigating the tension between closeness and the longing for independence. Others live alone, far from the life and friendships they once knew. At our weekly workshops, they find a rhythm—something steady in an unsteady world. Through simple moments of making art together, they rediscover joy, pride, and purpose.

One of our participants, Liuba, fled from Kharkiv. At first, she sat quietly by the edge of the table, hesitant to speak. Over time, surrounded by warmth and laughter, she found her voice again—helping others mix paint, sharing her embroidery techniques from home, and telling stories that turned silence into connection. Today, she is one of the first to greet newcomers, reminding them that everyone has a place here.

This transformation is what our centre stands for. We build bridges between people, foster understanding across generations, and create moments of peace that help heal emotional wounds. While our programs revolve around creativity, they are equally about dignity and hope—the belief that every person deserves respect, autonomy, and care.

For many seniors, especially those who have left everything behind, this space is a sanctuary. It gives families a moment of relief and offers elders the freedom to express themselves and feel whole again.

Thanks to your continued support, our centre remains a place of belonging, where art and humanity meet. Your generosity helps ensure that seniors—no matter their background or challenges—can find connection, kindness, and the simple comfort of being part of a community.

We create belonging.
We create dignity.
We create peace.

Thank you for standing with us.

Links:

• Our post on social media