Mission Statement
To provide a bridge between life on the streets and a stable home environment for homeless children in Kiev through Christian ministry.
Overview of Ministry Activity
Dosvitok Day Center is a drop-in center for street children up to 18 years of age that is open from 10:00-5:00pm six days a week. Children are fed breakfast and lunch, have a place to shower, wash their clothes, store their belongings and receive medical care. The daily program consists of Bible study and other Christian education, basic elementary education, practical education, games and activities.
Once trust has been built with the children, efforts are made to connect them with a stable home environment, first with their own family if possible or placement in a good children’s institution. Older teenagers are given job counseling and attempts are made to find them a job and housing.
Clothing is provided as needed with special emphasis on good winter clothing. Fifteen to 30 children visit the center every day and we have contact with over 70 children at any one time.
Plans and Goals
Dosvitok would like to expand the size of the program to reach more children. The small size of the basement we rent limits the number of children we can serve. Eventually we would like to purchase our own place in Kiev and expand the program to other cities in Ukraine with United Methodist churches.
