Many hellos and hugs to you from our community in Zhytomyr, Ukraine!
Last month I was thrilled to join our Last Bell team for two celebrations marking the opening of our new Day Center. Ukraine Director Andriy and Education Outreach Director Yulia led the whole staff in presenting gracious and fun programs for our guests. Their heartfelt care, professionalism, and thoughtfulness brought both laughter and tears of gratitude to those who attended.
Civic Open House
The first open house highlighted our staff’s close relationships with the civic community. Zhytomyr’s governor, deputy governor, and the head of social services all attended and showed great enthusiasm for Last Bell.
Also present was the personal assistant to Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine; she talked with me and STC Director Oksana about spreading Last Bell’s model to other cities. Please know that as your investments transform the lives of our youth, a watching world is taking notice!
Click here for a video of the event from a Zhytomyr news studio
This was also a chance to honor the social workers who serve Zhytomyr’s orphans. Director Andriy gave each one a plaque, and several spoke passionately about working with youth. They stayed for a long time, hugging, talking, and taking photos.
The social services system faces difficult challenges; and our staff live out the Gospel by treating these civil servants with grace and dignity. This working partnership has also allowed Last Bell a voice in state orphan care policies, and strengthens our access to the places where we meet orphaned teens.
Youth Open House
Our reputation in the community is important only because it helps us bring hope to orphaned youth.
The second open house was for them: the young people we daily love and serve. Our staff planned every aspect of the evening to make our youth feel special. I was touched to see five guys aged 15 to 19 sitting and worshiping together. They called themselves a “brotherhood.” Our staff have created a place where orphaned youth feel safe developing close relationships and openly praising God with their friends!
Similarly when I attended STC camp in June, I was impressed by our staff’s expertise in their interactions with orphan parents and their children – fueled by their deep love for these special families.
Our Staff Look to the Future
During these trips, I asked our staff to tell me their hopes and plans for God’s work through Last Bell. They spoke candidly of orphaned youths’ need for secure housing, work opportunities, strong church connections, and more. Our vision is to see the orphan cycle completely broken, and our staff is prayerfully strategizing to make it a reality.
At the civic open house, we also talked about you! I shared that there are people in Indiana, Colorado, Alabama, Washington, Texas, Florida and many other states who care about the future of Zhytomyr’s orphans. You received a huge round of applause!
Your generosity supports every part of this important work and I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to see this firsthand. The Last Bell community and I thank you for joining your hearts with God’s heart for orphans!
Marguerite Havard
Executive Director