Care4Ukraine.Org: Community and Family Aid Program

Support Ukraine’s Most Vulnerable – Bringing Hope and Help Where It’s Needed Most

Hello, I’m Joseph, the founder of Care4Ukraine.Org. After almost three years of being on GoFundMe I thought it would be time to update our story. With the help of GoFundMe we have accomplished a lot!

I came to Ukraine in 2014 and for over a decade been living and working in the country. I’ve come to deeply understand the resilience and strength of this country. Today, however, the challenges are greater than ever, and Care4Ukraine is stepping up to support the most vulnerable communities—especially children, the elderly, families, and the countless internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been forced to flee their homes and start over with nothing.

A Struggle for Stability: The Reality for IDPs:

Since the onset of conflict, millions of Ukrainians have been uprooted from their homes, with many seeking refuge in new regions, away from their families and livelihoods. These IDPs face tremendous hardships: lack of stable housing, limited access to medical care, food insecurity, and few job opportunities. For them, every day is a fight to survive and rebuild a sense of stability amidst chaos. Care4Ukraine is committed to supporting IDPs as they navigate this challenging journey, providing resources to help them find shelter, education, and a path to a better future.

As we brace for another winter, our mission has become urgent. Care4Ukraine has established five dedicated volunteer teams currently working in Eastern Ukraine (Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kharkiv, and hundreds of small villages in-between), serving regions close to the front lines where families, IDPs, and the elderly face relentless hardship. Here’s how your support can help us continue our vital programs:

1. Winterizing Homes for the Elderly and IDPs: Many older adults and IDPs lack the means to secure safe, warm housing as winter approaches. Our teams work daily to winterize homes, delivering firewood, installing insulation, and providing essential supplies to protect against the harsh winter ahead.

2. Emergency Family and IDP Evacuations: For families and IDPs living near conflict zones, each day brings uncertainty and danger. Care4Ukraine has developed an evacuation network to relocate at-risk families and IDPs to safer areas. Each relocation is carefully coordinated to ensure people have shelter, security, and support as they transition.

3. ‘Keep the Kids Learning’ Program for Children of IDPs and Conflict-Affected Areas: The conflict has taken an immense toll on education in Ukraine. Schools have been closed, damaged, or are being used for other purposes, leaving children without a stable learning environment. Our ‘Keep the Kids Learning’ program is designed to fill this gap, bringing education to the children who need it most. We’ve established mobile and remote learning centers across Eastern Ukraine, as well as Kyiv and western regions, where children—many of them IDPs—can attend classes, learn, and grow.

We currently have over 30 volunteer teachers dedicated to this program, teaching a curriculum that includes core subjects like math, language, and science, as well as trauma-informed activities to help children process their experiences. Our goal is to provide a semblance of normalcy, stability, and hope for the future, ensuring that education doesn’t become another casualty of conflict. With each center equipped with basic educational supplies and staffed by caring volunteers, these learning hubs are a critical lifeline for children eager to learn despite the odds.

4. New Teen Centers for Displaced and Local Youth: Teens, especially those forced to flee, face unique struggles. Our teen centers, established this year, offer a safe, supportive environment where displaced youth can connect, build friendships, and learn. These centers help displaced and local teens alike develop resilience and rebuild a sense of normalcy during a time of immense uncertainty.

5. Maintaining Communication in Isolated Areas: The Shortwave Radio Network

Frequent power outages and destroyed infrastructure have made communication nearly impossible, especially in isolated and frontline areas. Recognizing the critical role communication plays in our operations, Care4Ukraine has set up a network of shortwave radios. This system allows our volunteer teams to remain connected and coordinate efforts effectively, even in the most remote or heavily impacted regions.

The shortwave radio network functions as a central coordination hub for our teams on the ground, relaying information about new needs, evacuation routes, and urgent supply requests. By using this robust communication method, we can quickly adapt to changes on the ground and provide real-time support where it’s needed most. This radio network has become a vital tool, enabling us to keep our teams safe and responsive while ensuring that no community, no matter how isolated, is left without aid.

Your support is essential to keep these programs running. Every dollar you give goes directly to on-the-ground assistance for Ukraine’s most vulnerable communities—IDPs, families, children, and elderly citizens—providing them with critical resources, safe shelters, and educational programs that offer hope for a brighter future.

We use donations to fund the programs that began in 2022 and continue to this day. This is a Humanitarian Aid effort that has been reported on by news media and filmed for documentaries shown on network television. Our website is www.Care4Ukraine.Org. I welcome your questions and input on our programs.

Thank you for standing with us and the people of Ukraine through these difficult times. Together, we are making a real difference for Ukraine’s most vulnerable.

With gratitude,

Joseph Nichols

Founder, Care4Ukraine.org