Ukraine

Transportation of Chair-bound Individuals (2007-ongoing)

Creavita, the Kharkov public organization for disabled people, partnered with Kharkov City Social Department in order to implement a two-fold, city-wide project. As a result, many public and administrative buildings were examined in order to determine wheelchair- access possibilities. In 2006, the New Possibilities project was developed with the support of the DFID, which will enable the wheelchair-bound to travel across the city in specially equipped vans and will create a specialized municipal transport service entitled 'Taxis for the Disabled'. Within the framework of a presidential project that aimed to implement innovative mechanisms for the improvement of social services, the City Social Department purchased two vans equipped with special wheelchair elevators. In the coming year, the project will include the following stages: Training of transport service operators; an advertising campaign; assessment of dwellings where chair-bound individuals reside (in order to ensure that a vehicle can access the entrance and an individual is technically capable to leave his home); the training of volunteers; the publishing of a tutorial for chair-bound individuals, featuring links to appropriate laws, which will keep the affected individuals informed about organizations where they can ask for assistance. The City Social Department has approached JDC with a request to help fund specifically trained administrators to accept the orders and help the chair-bound people onto the vans, and special ramps to be put on the stairs for the wheel chairs to descend and access the street.

This project will result in developing, testing and introducing an innovative social service for transportation of chair-bound individuals in specifically equipped vans. More than 1,000 chair bound citizens of Kharkov will receive a chance to travel around the city free of charge, which will enable them to live a full and active life.

Early Intervention Center (2006-present)

The Charitable Foundation 'Early Intervention Institute' has been working to develop innovative services related to early intervention in Kharkov since 2000, including the creation of the 'Early Intervention Center'. A very limited number of families received weekly consultations at the center, due to insufficient funding.

This project seeks to help prevent serious inborn or acquired disturbances at the earliest stages of children's development, in order to help them become comprehensively healthy adults. With the support of the city's Social Department, the project has achieved the following: Child development studies were conducted by psychologists, teachers, physicians, and speech therapists; an informative and consultative phone line was launched for parents; a consultation room was opened for parents with children-at-risk; tutorials for parents and professionals were published; a series of seminars on the theory and practice of early intervention were conducted for professionals involved in early age social rehabilitation and for public organizations in Kharkov; a training session was conducted for professionals from four other cities; quality standards for early intervention services were developed. The project further seeks to achieve the normalization of at-risk children's lives and the lives of their families through the organization of programs for individual, group and club work, and consultations on psychological, pedagogical and educational issues for parents.

Today, as many as 100 families with children ages 0-5 years old with mental and development challenges receive appropriate services. Due to the JDC support, the parents will also have the opportunity to use the library featuring development toys and equipment which will enable them to organize a development area in their homes. Parents will be able to receive information on how to help their children through special trainings, as well as receive the assistance of psychologists and support in crisis situations.

'Talents Workshop': Art Education and Art Therapy for Orphans Living in Boarding Schools in Western Ukraine (2007-ongoing)

Talents Workshop is a six-month project that provides art education and art therapy for orphan children living in 10 Ukrainian public boarding schools. Its goal is to enable these children to experience personal realization through art activity, and to foster talented children who are devoid of parental care and support. The project also provides assistance in pedagogical methodology in the state and public structures in the field of art education. Talents Workshop offers professional training for boarding school personnel; provides education to enhance children's abilities in various art activities; and organizes creative work opportunities for the children. Proceeds from fundraising events will support the creation of a Ukrainian Art Academy, in order to continue these art activities on a more long-term basis. This project is managed by a Tutorial Council consisting of sponsors, state employees and representatives of non-governmental organizations. The official launch of the project on November 9th was covered by almost all prominent Ukrainian TV and radio channels, newspapers, and magazines.

This project seeks to develop tolerance and intercultural dialogue. It is especially relevant for multi-national Ukraine, where Ukrainians, Russians, Poles, Jews, and others have lived together for centuries. It is a wonderful example of cooperation between NGOs and governmental structures. Implementation of this project in conjunction with governmental institutions will assist in the goal of strengthening the development of a civil society in Ukraine

Ukraine: Mine Explosion in Donetsk (2007-ongoing)

Between November 18th and December 2nd, three explosions occurred at the Zasyadko coal mine in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. As a result, 106 people were killed and more than 150 were hospitalized. The tragedy created a medical, psychological and social crisis for the survivors and their families. In response, JDC is delivering multi-purpose support sets to each tragedy survivor's family. The sets are to include: Food products rich in elements necessary to support the weakened health and favoring the rehabilitation process, while appropriate for long-term use; a two-month course of medical vitamins based on doctor's recommendations; and winter relief such as blankets and warm clothes.