In March 2022, as hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians sought refuge in western Ukraine to escape the dangers of the ongoing war, the people and organizations in Lviv rose to the occasion, extending their support to the newly displaced. One notable example is the Charity Foundation Your Support, which swiftly launched the Your Support Shelter Project in Lviv that same month. Addressing the urgent need for safety and temporary shelter, this initiative offered a sanctuary of calm and support for those affected by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The shelter was meticulously designed to meet the needs of those forced to abandon their homes. It featured well-equipped resting rooms, spacious kitchens, children's playrooms, and interactive learning zones. Every detail was thoughtfully considered to ease the lives of the displaced. Beyond providing a place to rest, the shelter ensured access to essential hygiene and comfort items, preserving the dignity of individuals during their most challenging times.
"The Your Support Shelter in Lviv offers a place where displaced Ukrainians can temporarily stay and decide what to do next. Many have lost their homes and belongings. People arrived with just one bag in their hands, containing everything they managed to salvage", – said the shelter's director Lyubov Voznyak.
Since its inception, the Your Support Shelter project has provided temporary homes and safety to 4,500 individuals. Additionally, through a grant from ISAR Ednannia, the shelter's basic services have been utilized by 1,116 Ukrainian men and women (684 adults and 432 children).
Viktor Ponomarenko, born in 1959 and formerly an ambulance driver in Bahmut, Donetsk Oblast, shared his harrowing rescue story: “My mother was eighty-six years old. I carried her in my arms, she couldn't walk. They beat us, but we survived. We hid in the basement, I carried her there in my arms. Mother is the mother, I would never abandon her. They took us away in a bus.”
"I like it here. I am very grateful to them (editors – volunteers) and didn't forget about us (editors – those from Donetsk and occupied territories). Many thanks to everyone! Support is very precious. If they support us, it makes things easier both on the front lines and throughout Ukraine," says Victor, expressing his gratitude for the shelter conditions and the project organizers.
During the ISAR Ednannia’s grant period, initiated by Your Support, 353 beneficiaries participated in anonymous project surveys. An impressive 98.5% of respondents indicated satisfaction with the living conditions and the services provided by the staff.
Your Support Shelter Project is implemented by the Charitable Foundation "Your Support" and made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) within the Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity implemented by ISAR Ednannia in partnership with the Ukrainian Center of Independent Political Research (UCIPR) and Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law (CEDEM). The contents are not the responsibility of ISAR Ednannia and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
