Furnishing the Day Center

We’d love to see you at the GRAND OPENING of our NEW Day Center on August 29th. But a trip to Ukraine probably isn’t in your plans for the summer. Instead, we invite you to help prepare the space for orphaned youth!

Why is the Day Center so important? 

Ukrainian orphans age out of state care as young as fifteen. Often, their health has been neglected. They struggle in school and in relationships. Many carry emotional and psychological trauma from childhood.

But at the Day Center, orphan teens feel safe. Their needs are met. They learn that they’re deeply loved by God. This message of hope is especially important during the anxieties of wartime. 

What’s needed at the Day Center?

The war has increased costs across the board, so the funds we set aside for the Day Center will only cover renovations – not appliances or furniture. We need your help to purchase washers and dryers, a refrigerator, stove, and oven, dishwashers, chairs, and other items so we can open August 29th. We’ll begin making purchases by August 1st. 

Last Bell could serve up to 1000 youth and their family members at the new Day Center in the next three years. Just $35 can make it ready for one person! Or your family, church group, or business could cover the cost of one of the items below:

We know you care about orphaned youth. You want them to feel loved, learn about Jesus, and stop the cycle of orphanhood in their own families. Will you help us make the Day Center ready for all the orphaned youth we serve now, plus those we’ll meet in the fall? 

Why do these rooms matter?

• The kitchen: The kitchen is mostly covered! In the Day Center’s kitchen, our youth learn food safety, healthy eating habits, and skills for independence. Plus it’s a place of belonging. Here our youth connect with their Ukrainian culture – and with the staff as they cook together. You can give our youth the gift of a warm, bustling kitchen!

• The offices: The Day Center will house our offices, including a room furnished for mentorship. And new storage spaces will hold supplies like groceries, clothes, and hygiene kits.

• The game room: Orphan teens often find unhealthy ways to cope with their trauma and fear. But at Last Bell, they can safely relax and have fun. Video games, board games, and tabletop games like foosball draw youth into our caring community.

• The laundry room: The laundry room has been covered! Many orphaned youth don’t have easy access to a washer and dryer. But they need to dress neatly for classes, job interviews, church, and more. The Day Center is a convenient place to do laundry, freeing up time for study and work. Plus, looking nice boosts their self-respect and confidence.

• The auditorium: Last year’s Christmas parties included 61 youth at the party for students and 175 moms, dads, and kids at the family party! Partner churches have generously hosted our biggest gatherings for years, but now we can invite our youth to a familiar place.

PS: The Day Center is where our youth begin their journey of hope and healing with Last Bell. Will you welcome them in with a gift of $35, $100, or more?

Thank you for stretching out your compassion toward our youth in Ukraine!