Children Mission is a faith-based Ukrainian NGO that trains people in local communities to provide effective support for children, including trauma-informed care.
Who We Are
Since 1999, we have trained children’s workers, parents, teachers, and community leaders. We use evidence-based methods that help adults build supportive relationships with children and support recovery from trauma.
To date, we have trained almost 9,000 adults across all 25 regions of Ukraine, positively influencing the lives of tens of thousands of children.
One example is the OpSAFE Trauma Care program. Between 2022 and 2025, we trained 145 teams who conducted 141 programs (including camps, clubs, and Sunday school settings) that benefitted 5,048 children. One-day, Christmas and Easter programs provided short-term trauma care support to an additional 9,569 children.
Our Values
Every Child Matters
We believe all children deserve support, regardless of background, faith, or circumstances.
Community-Centered
We strengthen local churches, schools, and organizations to care for their own children.
Evidence-Driven
We measure success through transformed lives, strengthened communities, and rigorous program evaluation.
Collaborative
We partner with diverse organizations — faith-based and secular — committed to children’s well-being.
What We Do
Trauma-Informed Care Training
We equip adults to recognize trauma symptoms, offer immediate emotional support, and create safe environments for recovery. Our programs address the specific needs of children affected by the war in Ukraine.
Children's Program Development
We train practitioners to design and deliver effective children’s programs, including educational activities, emotional support groups, and faith-based initiatives for those who request them.
Our Expertise
Children Mission collaborates with educational institutions, NGOs, and churches across Ukraine to expand access to high-quality training. Our trainers include experienced educators and specialists in trauma-informed care.
We partner with:
University of Educational Management
State Institution of Higher Education “University of Educational Management” of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine.
Regional Schools
Schools in Mykolayiv, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Transcarpathian regions.
NGOs & Community Organizations
Local and national NGOs, churches, and community organizations across Ukraine.
How We Train
We build capacity within local communities through a cascading model. We train trainers, who then equip others. Regional mentors strengthen local implementation. This approach develops sustainable leadership and long-term impact.
Trainers typically work in teams, locally for in-person events or nationally for online sessions. On average, each trainer equips 6–12 adults per year, and together those adults reach up to 100 children annually.
We train across three interconnected levels:
- Frontline practitioners: Children’s workers, parents, teachers, and community leaders
- Master trainers: Practitioners who deliver Children Mission programs in their own contexts
- Regional mentors: Leaders who provide ongoing support, quality assurance, and encouragement
Our Impact (2022–2025)
2,442
Adults trained in trauma-informed care
~20,000
Children reached through trained practitioners
14,617
Children reached through OpSAFE programs
394
Trauma-informed care trainings delivered
“In January 2024, an OpSAFE camp was held in the Carpathian region for 48 teenagers from frontline cities, as well as children of military personnel and fallen defenders. Volunteers from ‘Shine!’ Club (Mykolaiv), trained by Children Mission, conducted the camp at the invitation of Salt of the Earth Charity Fund (Chernivtsy).”
“Throughout the program, the team observed positive changes in the young people’s psycho-emotional state: they became more open and trusting, learned to talk about their feelings, and supported one another. The camp atmosphere of safety, acceptance, and spiritual support facilitated this transformation.”
— OpSAFE Camp, Carpathian Region
Work With Us
We welcome partnerships with organizations committed to improving child well-being in Ukraine. Contact our director Lyudmila Bryn at [email protected] to find out more.