Youth & Education

1,489 students have book access

Thanks to the generosity of supporters in Cincinnati and Albuquerque, English-language graphic novels were donated to an underground school in Kharkiv to replace books lost during Russian attacks. In partnership with Scholastic Books, the new library resource will help students strengthen their English language skills.

The underground school serves 1,480 students, ages 6 to 17, from four schools (Nos. 124, 122, 111, and 144), including 489 elementary students. All students have access to the donated books.

The books arrived during the final week of the school year, giving students an opportunity to explore them before summer break. English teachers are already incorporating the graphic novels into lesson plans for the upcoming school year.

For many students, these books are more than a learning tool. They are a reminder that friends in Cincinnati and Albuquerque care about their future and are helping bring hope, learning, and connection during a difficult time (2022).

1,135 children & teens participated

The Path to Recovery program trained 12 school psychologists in Kharkiv to support children and adolescents experiencing grief, loss, and trauma related to the war. Participants reported increased professional competence and confidence in addressing complex emotional challenges, with all participants indicating they would recommend the program to colleagues.

Through the application of new knowledge and skills, 1,135 children and teenagers received psychological support. Psychologists observed improvements in emotional well-being, self-regulation, reduced anxiety, greater ability to discuss difficult experiences, and stronger peer support.

The program also fostered a professional network among school psychologists and helped strengthen the foundation for long-term psychological support services for children affected by war and during Ukraine's recovery. These results demonstrate the value of investing in professional training as a way to expand access to mental health support for young people (2025).