Charitable Organization “Charitable Foundation ‘Caritas-Kyiv’”

The Charitable Foundation “Caritas-Kyiv” has been operating since 1992. Over this period, tens of thousands of people in need have received social services, humanitarian aid, as well as psychological and legal support.
The organization’s activities focus on residents of Kyiv and five regions: Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, and Vinnytsia oblasts. To a lesser extent, other regions of Ukraine are also covered.

Mission of Caritas-Kyiv: To develop the traditions of social service and charity in order to improve the quality of life of individuals and communities, based on Christian values.

1. Solidarity and subsidiarity.
   Solidarity is expressed in the ability to recognize the circumstances and needs of each beneficiary, and accordingly provide appropriate assistance and support.
   Subsidiarity means that any support is delivered at the level closest to the beneficiary and only when a person is unable to overcome a difficult situation on their own.
2. Freedom of religion implies providing assistance to all people in need, regardless of their faith or religious affiliation, based on an assessment of their needs, social situation, and the crisis they are facing.
3. Comprehensiveness and a systemic approach ensure support for people by taking into account the full range of their challenges and needs, while also contributing to the overall improvement of the social service delivery system.
4. Responsibility is the obligation to act transparently, honestly, and effectively in relation to all stakeholders.
5. Professionalism and compassion mean maintaining a balance between high professional standards and a caring, humane approach in interactions with beneficiaries and colleagues.
6. Partnership and networking mean joining efforts of state and local authorities, as well as civil society organizations, to address complex social challenges.
7. Environmental responsibility highlights the need to protect and preserve the environment across all areas of the organization’s activities.

Caritas-Kyiv is part of the global Caritas community, which has over 120 years of experience and operates in more than 200 countries worldwide, with official representation at the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the Organization of African Unity.

Throughout its years of operation, Caritas-Kyiv has carried out activities in the following areas:

✔ Work with children, youth, and families (including families in crisis, low-income, single-parent, large families, and those affected by addiction): provision of primary material assistance, social services, meals, psychological support, a football club, educational activities, self-help groups, legal and information consultations, a playroom for young children, a mini-library, a computer class, summer camps, and local history trips.
✔ Home-based care for persons with disabilities, people with incurable illnesses, and elderly individuals living alone: medical assistance (blood pressure monitoring, medication administration, injections, and other medical services), social support (assistance with documentation, representation in state institutions, payment of utility bills), household help (grocery shopping, apartment cleaning, meal preparation), personal care, psychological support, lending of rehabilitation equipment, and information and counseling services.
✔ Center for work with children and families who have witnessed violence and were forced to leave their homes: individual and group counseling, workshops, developmental activities, art therapy sessions, as well as trainings and seminars for parents.
✔ Peacebuilding program: psychological counseling, psychosocial support groups, social case management, thematic trainings, facilitation of social and community initiatives, as well as participation in film clubs, dance classes, and a theatre group.
✔ Центр надання соціальних послуг: благодійна перукарня, пральня, швейна майстерня, надання гуманітарної допомоги у вигляді одягу та взуття, продуктів харчування та медикаментів.
✔ Advisory Center for Counteracting Human Trafficking: psychological and material assistance, support in searching for missing persons abroad, consultations on traveling and working abroad, and activities aimed at preventing and combating human trafficking.
✔ Club for older people: outreach and center-based meetings for around 80 participants, including victims of National Socialism, internally displaced persons, and individuals with limited mobility; educational sessions and trainings, peer support groups, as well as home visits to people with limited or no mobility.
✔ ✔ Charity initiatives: fundraising and outreach campaigns, a winter mobile kitchen, information campaigns, cultural events, and summer camps.