
What's the problem?
Ania is from Nova Kakhovka, a southern Ukrainian town in the Kherson region. Due to the war and occupation, she fled with her parents, grandfather, and grandmother to Odesa. After losing her home, little Ania became withdrawn. She often drew pictures of her house and family but showed little interest in connecting with teachers or other children. Her mother admitted that she was also struggling to cope with the loss of their previous life.
What's the solution?
LITTLE WIND is a daytime children's center run by the Odesa-based charity Winds of Change. Ania's mother heard about the organization's support for displaced families and decided to bring her daughter there.
At the center, a psychologist provided counseling for Ania's mother, while staff from Winds of Change helped Ania's father find a job and assisted the family in securing a small house near Odesa. Meanwhile, Ania regularly attended activities at the center. In just six months, her behavior immensely changed: she became more open, became interested in music lessons, started singing, and eventually revealed her dream of becoming an actress.
How does it work?
The Winds of Change Charity Fund has been active since 2018, supporting women and children affected by discrimination, gender-based violence, exploitation, and the violation of their rights. As one of its projects, the foundation helped Romani women gain new skills — graduates of its sewing courses even launched a social enterprise called Petalenca Home Textile Workshop, which was featured on Rubryka.
"Before the full-scale invasion, much of our work was focused on integrating Romani women into Ukrainian society. We taught them literacy and sewing skills and worked with internally displaced persons (IDPs) since 2014. However, after February 24, 2022, the number of displaced people — and the challenges they face — grew exponentially," says Yuliia Hladka, the foundation's communications manager.
"Our strength lies in our diversity and unity"
"All of our projects are deeply personal to us. Many of our staff have children and understand the needs of families with children during the full-scale invasion," says the charity fund's rep.
The foundation has long dreamed of creating a network of children's centers, but the war sped up the process. The team submitted grant applications to fund the project and sought partnerships with like-minded organizations. Early support came from their long-time friends in Germany, the charity organization BerlinOdessaExpress, and the international association ALDA.

A meeting with a psychologist about maintaining mental health at the South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University
In 2022, Winds of Change opened its first daytime children's center, LITTLE WIND, for children whose parents need extra support. They meticulously chose the location to ensure good transport access, a private yard, and a nearby bomb shelter. The idea was to create a space that comprehensively addresses families' challenges. Today, the center includes a social apartment for women with children in need and a women's resource center.
In November 2024, the project expanded. With support from the charitable organization ACTED, Winds of Change opened another location on Bazarna Street called the Interactive Children's Center.
For children and parents
Today, Winds of Change has two children's centers operating in Odesa and plans to expand. Each center accommodates two groups: one for children aged 4 to 6 and another for those aged 7 to 12. The first center, 18 Tyraspolska Street, can host up to 15 children, and the second, at 28 Bazarna Street, has space for 25 children.
"When a mother needs to resolve legal issues, get medical help, or attend a job interview, she can leave her child at the center, which functions like a daycare," says Yuliia Hladka, communications manager. "A psychologist, early development teacher, and speech therapist work with the children. We also offer English and music lessons. We set up a pool outside in the summer, and the children love swimming. We frequently visit museums and the zoo."

Master class for children. Photo: Winds of Change
Parents must provide a standard pediatrician's note saying a child is healthy to attend. Children can stay at the centers all day. Each facility has a kitchen where staff can heat meals brought from home. Fresh water and warm tea are always available. All activities at the centers are free.
The centers aim to help children build resilience against the stress and trauma of past events, provide adequate psychological support for those showing signs of mental distress, and offer holistic assistance to families with children. This sets the centers apart from regular daycares or after-school programs.
"Our psychologist works with both children and parents. Many children who come to us have been rejected by other daycare centers or schools because of behavioral challenges, such as aggression or excessive crying. These children have endured difficult situations and need psychological rehabilitation. Their parents also require support — be it referrals, humanitarian aid, or counseling," Yuliia Hladka explains.
Does it really work?

Sand therapy. Photo: Winds of Change
"Kids today lack communication and social interaction, but during our sessions, they have fun," says Tetiana Cherkova, a psychologist at the center. "They get to play and experience the childhood they were robbed of. Sand therapy, dancing, singing, and outdoor games help them adapt faster and process the traumatic events of the war."
The center shares the story of Ostap (name changed for privacy), who arrived in Odesa from Mariupol with his mother and sister. Ostap, a boy with autism, was rejected at kindergarten. He showed aggressive behavior — screaming, crying, hitting, and biting. His mother couldn't go to work as her restless son couldn't stay in kindergarten, even for half a day.
Last summer, the Winds of Change Charity Fund organized a children's camp. Ostap's mother saw the announcement on social media and decided to enroll him, hoping for a bit of free time to sort out work issues.
At first, Ostap was hostile to everyone, but his teacher, Svitlana, confidently told his mother, "Give him time!" Progress was evident within a month of working with a psychologist and speech therapist. Ostap began clearly expressing his needs, joined games with other kids, and stopped hurting them. A few months later, he started giving heartfelt hugs to his teachers every morning.

Children at the center. Photo: Winds of Change
Yuliia Hladka shares that the center also welcomes Romani children while their mothers attend sewing classes at the Petalenca Women's Resource Center. There is no discrimination — children from all backgrounds play and interact together.
"We support any families with children in need. It doesn't matter if they are displaced or locals. Every family has its challenges," says the foundation's communications officer. "During the full-scale invasion, many lost their jobs, and psychological stress increased."
So far, the day centers have supported over 200 families and 316 children, 235 of whom are displaced.
Even more helpful solutions!
The Winds of Change also runs other vital projects to support the mental health and safety of women and families with children.
In collaboration with UNICEF and with support from USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), they've launched a project where mobile teams assist people in southern regions of Ukraine in tackling various challenges:
- A psychologist evaluates the mental health of children and parents, offers individual and group counseling, and refers them to specialized mental health services when needed.
- A case manager handles complex cases, working jointly with local social services representatives. They connect families to government and non-governmental providers for social, legal, and specialized services (like healthcare or support for survivors of gender-based violence).
- A community awareness specialist educates residents on topics like "One Family for Every Child," gender-positive parenting, preventing gender-based violence, avoiding risks from explosive devices, and non-violent communication.

A large family from the Mykolaiv region receiving support from the Winds of Change Charity Fund. Photo courtesy of the organization
The mobile teams also help with legal issues, deliver humanitarian aid to large families and single mothers, and organize celebrations for displaced children.
"It's crucial that people feel they're not alone in their struggles. Our goal is not just to provide humanitarian aid but also to inspire hope and confidence in the future," says the Winds of Change team.
As part of the project, the organization also creates safe spaces in communities and Romani settlements. These spaces offer women, girls, and children a place to gather and access psychosocial support.
Fifteen Romani women from communities in the Odesa region have become agents of change within their communities. They bridge the gap between the closed Romani community and the foundation, gathering information on the needs of women and children, identifying cases of gender-based violence, and promptly reporting them to the foundation.
The foundation has set up the ROMA SOS hotline for Romani women:
- +380 67 356 90 50
- +380 96 037 69 96
Through this hotline, women can call to seek advice or ask for help. It's easier than reaching out via social media.