Social work with families and children in de-occupied communities: experience of charitable foundations

Abstract

Against the backdrop of active socio-political dynamics in Ukraine, social work with vulnerable categories of the population in the deoccupied territories is of particular importance. In this context, an important role is played by the activities of charitable foundations, which focus significant efforts on ensuring the basic needs of children and families, normalizing their vital activities. The purpose of the article is to analyze the features of the implementation of social work with families and children in deoccupied communities in the context of the experience of charitable foundations. The study identifies the main problems that hinder the implementation of effective social work in the deoccupied territories of Ukraine. It was found that the social activities of charitable foundations find practical implementation through various tools and formats, in particular, the provision of material assistance and psychological support, medical care, educational projects, reintegration programs for victims and internally displaced persons. The article systematizes data on the experience of social work with families in deoccupied communities of major charitable foundations, including the Center for Volunteering and Protection, the Let’s Help charitable foundation, the Viktor Leshchynskyi charitable foundation, the public association “Through the War”, public organizations “All-Ukrainian Youth Movement Let’s do it Ukraine” and “Ordinary People”, and the national scout organization of Ukraine “Plast”. The main forms and tools of social work of charitable foundations in the deoccupied territories are identified. It is substantiated that the activities of charitable foundations in the vector of social work, which operate in modern conditions in the deoccupied territories, are complicated by limited access, destruction of infrastructure, bureaucratization of the process of obtaining special permits, and limited resources. The need to expand the possibilities of implementing assistance programs for vulnerable categories of the population in deoccupied communities, develop the social functionality of charitable foundations, and intensify the investment process in the social sphere is proven.