Expand Life-Changing Services for Children in Sumy

Dear GlobalGiving partners,
Our Sumy Center has been filled with moments of hope, growth, and connection this summer. Over the past three months, Voices of Children psychologists and psychosocial specialists have continued to provide steady, individualized, and group-based care for children and parents affected by war. Thanks to your support, we’re creating safe spaces where healing, learning, and joy can thrive.

At a Glance (3 months)

• 248 people supported: 185 children and 63 adults
• Individual consultations: 156 sessions (73 for children, 83 for adults)

Group programs:

• 16 psychological groups for children (131 participants)
• 3 psychological groups for adults (25 participants)
• 43 psychosocial groups for children (363 total participations)

Monthly reach:

• July – 69 people (53 children, 16 adults)
• August – 60 people (48 children, 22 adults)
• September – 119 people (84 children, 35 adults)

New Memories and First Mobile Brigade Trips
Throughout the summer and early fall, our Sumy Center continued to be a place of creativity and connection. Children took part in the psychosocial program “The Voice of Fairy Tales: Getting to Know Emotions” and the psychological group “My Superpower,” learning to recognize, express, and manage their emotions. Alongside these, our psychologists led creative workshops such as “Magic Drops,” “Plasticine Art,” and the always-popular film club, giving children a safe space to explore imagination and friendship.

The Voice of Fairy Tales program concluded in August with heartwarming changes in children’s confidence and communication. Through storytelling and play, they began to share emotions more freely and show empathy toward others. One touching example was the friendship between Artem and Yegor—two boys who met at the center and helped each other overcome shyness. “Artem was so afraid of being late that we came early,” shared one mother, while another noted, “Your colorful exercises help my daughter fall asleep.”

Supporting Teachers and Families
Our work in Sumy also continued to reached local educators. Psychologists led sessions for teachers of Sumy Secondary School No. 9 and the Sumy Special School, including a creative workshop titled “Unexpected Self-Portrait.” Teachers described the experience as deeply restorative, a rare chance to relax and reconnect before the new school year.

At the “Firefly” Kindergarten, we held a parent-child session called “Hugs,” helping families rebuild emotional closeness and rediscover comfort in physical connection. “Now our family will have different hugs every time,” one mother smiled.

In September, we launched “Fairy Tales: Enchantresses of the World ‘I,’” a new preschool program fostering empathy and a positive self-image. Teenagers joined team-building sessions that encouraged trust and belonging, while our newly equipped mobile brigade made its first visits to the Kosiv community, bringing art therapy workshops to children in remote villages who rarely have access to psychological support.

Stories of Change
The impact of these programs shines through in small, powerful moments. Veronika, age 16, arrived in Sumy after fleeing a destroyed border village. Although at first she was withdrawn and unsure of herself, over time she became confident, made new friends, and decided to study nursing. Another girl Karina received an easel from Voices of Children just before her grandmother’s birthday and proudly said she would use it to create a painting as a gift.

And then there are the words that remind us why we do this work:
“I don’t want to leave here. Can I live here? There’s a sofa and a pillow! It’s so cool, and there’s LEGOS!”— One of our participants

A Place Where Healing Begins
From first friendships to calmer bedtimes, healing is taking root in Sumy. Each child who laughs, creates, or dares to dream again shows that safety and care can transform lives. And it is your support that makes this possible. Thank you for standing with Sumy’s children and families as they rediscover stability, confidence, and joy.

With deep gratitude,
The Voices of Children Team

Links:

• A Summer of Creativity and New Discoveries
• Voices of Children Ranks Again Among Ukraine's Largest Charities

Sumy Regional Center: May–June 2025 Report

Voices of Children is thrilled to share that in May, our team in Sumy officially opened the doors of a brand-new center! Since May 1, our dedicated team (two psychologists and a coordinator) has worked tirelessly to bring care and healing to children and families affected by the war. 

The space is now fully equipped to provide both psychological and psychosocial support, with a spacious room for group sessions and a private room for individual consultations. The center provides a stable, supportive environment for those living on the frontlines.

May Programs and Impact

In May alone, our psychologists served 129 beneficiaries, including 80 first-time clients. Many of the children showed signs of heightened anxiety, directly linked to the ongoing war. There were 36 individual consultations this month, an increase in comparison to previous work as a mobile team of psychologists.

The team actively implemented therapeutic programs to promote emotional growth and resilience, including:

• "My Superpower:" helping children recognize their inner strengths and develop emotional regulation skills.
• "Make Your Life Bright:" a psychosocial group using creativity to foster positivity and connection.

One group, in particular, included children aged 9–10, among them children with special educational needs. The group focused on building inclusivity, social skills, and a sense of belonging. It concluded on May 30 with a warm farewell, featuring shared memories and handmade keepsakes, including a small “magic mushroom” created by one of the children. It now serves as a welcoming symbol for new participants.

New Programs in June

In June, the team launched two new psychological groups as part of the program "Voice of Fairy Tales: Introduction to Emotions", which uses fairy tale therapy to help young children process and express their feelings. 

By mid-June, the center had served 98 beneficiaries, 35 of whom were new. To expand outreach, the team also created and distributed a series of child-friendly self-help posters to be displayed in local schools and shelters, raising awareness and providing simple mental health tools for children. 

Creative psychosocial classes also continued, including:

• Threadography
• The House of My Fear
• Drawing as Communication
• Rainbow of My Mood
• Thermomosaic

These sessions nurture creativity while offering a safe and engaging way for children to share and explore their emotions.

The "Cartoonland" film club became a favorite among children aged 6–9. Screenings of Frozen, Frozen 2, and The Wild Robot were followed by guided discussions to help children reflect on emotional themes and build empathy.

Creating an Emotionally Safe Space

The center’s recreation area (complete with floor mats and soft toys) has quickly become a favorite retreat for children. It offers a space for rest, play, and emotional decompression, reinforcing the center’s role as a haven during uncertain times.

Extending Support Beyond the Center

In response to growing emotional fatigue among educators, the team also led psychological relief workshops for teachers from:

• Secondary School No. 7 (8 participants)
• VPU No. 11 (8 participants)
• NGO “Felicitas” Promotion Center (10 participants)

Feedback from Families

Parents shared touching reflections on how the programs have impacted their children:

• “Now my Nazariy knows what emotions are and even teaches us, adults, how to feel them.”
• “Thank you for your work. Maksym now knows how to cope with fear. And I realized that I have a superpower too.”
• “My daughter comes back from classes happy and emotionally inspired.”

Despite the Challenges, Hope Persists

Even under the strain of a difficult security situation in Sumy, the team remains resilient, dedicated, and deeply committed to reaching as many children and families as possible with healing support.

We are profoundly grateful to our GlobalGiving community for making this possible. Your donations have brought this center to life, and with it, real relief, stability, and emotional care for those who need it most. 

Links:

• Sumy Center Tour