Hope Foundation

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Our Story

How did everything start...

My name is Eugenia, and I would have never thought I’d register a foundation in Poland … although now, looking back, I can surely tell that I have gone a long way to be doing what I’m doing now.

I was an English teacher for many years for kids and adults, and all the time I was trying to conduct classes using the Bible to draw more people to God through English studies. I’ve had Bible study groups for adults and teenagers for years. I was an operations manager of a beauty salon, where I oversaw a team of 20 women and ran the whole business. I’ve managed social media accounts for several businesses, so I’ve learned a lot about marketing and design. I have three kids, who have taught me unconditional love. …. and now, I have a Ukrainian Community of about 1200 members, - a place with all kinds of meetings, classes, events and various activities.

It was formed out of the Hope Groups support program, which I was conducting for Ukrainians, who ran away to Krakow, Poland, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022. At that time, there were few ladies who joined the program, and remained friends after it was over. Soon, this circle of friends got bigger and by Gods’ grace it continues to grow and develop until today. People are coming and providing their feedback that they have found a new family, friends, support and care in our community, which is absolutely motivating for me to keep serving and ministering to people.

As there were so many creative women coming to our meetings, we’ve started having motivational breakfasts together, dinners with all kinds of themes, theater club, English speaking club, games for teens, fitness classes, art therapy, different activities and workshops for kids, financial awareness meetings, graphic design course, and what’s most close and heart touching to me is our Sunday Bible Study. Most of our community members are single moms, or wives of the soldiers, who are defending Ukraine, and they are starting a new life in a foreign country; people come with traumas after the war and begin their new acquaintances all over again; everyone is so vulnerable and psychologically weak, but we have created a secure space for everyone just not to feel lonely and abandoned, instead get healing and realization, and above all, have the opportunity to find out about Jesus Christ.

In order to exist as a community legally in Poland, we have registered a foundation. Praise the Lord, the priest of a Catholic church is letting us use the place for free and provided a lawyer, who has helped to gather all the needed documentation for the registration.

… But, of course, we will need financial support to run all the projects and implement so many more plans and dreams of growing and developing our community.

If Our Heavenly Father touches your heart with my story, please answer His call and take part in His works in supporting our community. Even a small donation can help us fulfill our plans and my mission: To create a place, where people could grow and develop their better selves and come to understanding and faith in Jesus Christ.

Hope Groups

Project history

Hope Groups is a project, launched after the beginning of the war in Ukraine on 24.02.22 by World Without Orphans, Children's Mission, Viva Together for Children, when millions of people were forcibly displaced and desperately needed psychological support and stress relief.

Concept

The idea was to gather small groups of women and together with the facilitator study a specially developed guide. This information allows us to remind ourselves of our emotional health, which is the last thing we care about, and on which our physical condition directly depends.

Topics for discussion

- how to understand and analyze your condition;
- tools for calming and stabilization;
- how to maintain positive and safe relationships in the family;
- advice on how to talk to children;
- life resilience and how to develop it in oneself.

Results & effectiveness

These meetings eventually build strong relations among the group members, provide unconditional support and care, give a strong sense of belonging and start healing processes in all spheres of life. Hope groups - is a powerful instrument for strengthening and educating a community, which was researched and proven by Oxford University.

Healing for families

Part of the guide is dedicated to saving and strengthening families and supporting children. It is full of advice on how to create a safe and sincere circle among the family members, behave a caring attitude towards others, and help heal trauma and stress consequences.

Self support tools

After going through 12 sessions of Hope Groups, people acquire skills on how to analyze their psychological condition and steps to overcome and improve the situation. The basic techniques and practices, given in the guide, are teaching how to indicate that you need help and how to find help, which is essential for parents, who can teach their children to become resilient wholesome personalities.

Bible Groups

We’ve started gathering, just four of us: my sister, a girl from Lviv who was looking for a church, a girl from my group who was looking for God and me. Shortly we had about 20 people coming and a Sunday school for kids led by my American friend’s husband.

This is absolutely incredible how people, having a thirst for faith and God, come and read Bible for the first time in their lives; how they find out that the Lord is a loving Father, who is just a prayer away, and that prayers are not only learned by heart poems, but a sincere conversation with the Creator of the whole world.

We decided to study the Bible from the very beginning, as most of the girls haven’t ever read it at all, others have tried but didn’t understand anything. And now we’re reading the New Testament. Everyone takes part in the conversation, sharing their thoughts, experiences and revelations. We all get so filled and inspired that each of us is waiting for Sunday, as the best day of the week. I can surely tell that all of us have grown and changed so much over this year, some of the women have let go of their fears, some have finally opened up and can be safe and sincere in our circle of friends, some became devoted to Christ.

As the new people coming to our Sunday meeting, I can see we need a bigger room, but we still stay cozy and everyone is engaged even in a bigger circle. Maybe because of the situation of war, migration, loneliness, uncertainty people became more interested in religion, spirituality and vividly have hunger for God - and here am I, full of experience, being Christian for 24 years, ready to share and serve with all my heart and talents.

Moreover, the Community I’ve created - is an audience I can call on to and easily invite more people to study Bible and get to know the Lord closer. And as Solomon once said: “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1, I think I’m at the right time and in the right place, so I will definitely serve my Lord!

Events

Not only do we gather in small groups of 10-20 people for different activities, we have also organized several events that drew over 60-100 people.

These were: Talent show - for different ages(from 6 to 46 years old) and talents (theater troupes, singers, dansers, poetess), where Ukrainians could share their performances and feel recognized and appreciated. The talent show was more of a family party, with entertainment for kids and parents, coffee shop and time to communicate and get acquainted with one another.

Women’s day, actually it even happened twice and looks like we’re having a tradition now, to celebrate women of our community at the end of the winter. First celebration was more to encourage and unite all the women who fled Ukraine after the war. Most of them were very depressed and shut down, so we’ve invited make-up artists and hairdressers to make their look perfect and then photographers to make a memory of their beauty and this day. We have also had a buffet and beautiful photozones, and even a little concert of our unreadable talented singers. Everyone was very delighted, maybe also because we had entertained their kids while they were at the party.

The next year, the situation was more stable and a lot of our members have already settled and got used to life abroad, so we’ve decided to make it a dance night. Besides, we’ve prepared lots of appetizers and desserts, invited men to sing and play the piano and had a lottery time of free coupons for different services from local businesses. It was very nice to gather all those who are with us throughout this year and greet more new people in our community. This is the most valuable time, when we can relax and forget all the troubles of everyday life, feel free and united, and enjoy the moments of happiness.

Anastasia Zaretskaya

Thank you very much! The love and care given here is something fabulous. I was able to adapt better in a new country and city, I’ve found new acquaintances and friends in the community. Many thanks to Eugenia, who has gathered such beautiful people around her and organizes cool thematic events for Ukrainians. Special thanks to Inna for art therapy and psychological help 🙏🙏🙏 If you are looking for a safe place to express yourself, communicate, relax or realize your ideas and desires, this is the place for you😍

Anastasia Bulgakova

I am very grateful to the foundation for the support and incredible women's circle! They helped me adapt in a new city❤ I strongly advise everyone to join the events organized by the foundation. They are always comfortable and interesting.

Nicole Baldonado

The Foundation There is Hope always offers so much energy, passion and excitement in all their activities! The people who lead workshops, activities and master classes are skilled, knowledgeable and experienced, and they always offer a great experience! And most of all, there is a feeling of understanding and acceptance toward all who come. Thank you, There is Hope!!!

Tetyana Uskova

Very grateful for the opportunity to join the community 🩷 I was at the masterclass on how to create collages. It was incredible!! These fantastic emotions, warm and positive communication are very important for each of us. Thanks to Tamara, Eugenia and all the organizators 😍😘❤️‍🩹…

Maryna Latyuk

Incredible energy!!! I was once at the clothes swap with the participation of a stylist. Thanks to the organizators!!! My soul rested as if I were at home. Thank you to all those who are present here, to all those who care, to those who share useful information, and do not regret their time for the good of others. Let's unite! Thanks to the Polish side for their support, which understands our problems!

Oleksandra Zolotarenko

Thank you for your help and care!! Your work is very important for women!!! I recommend the foundation to everyone, there are many different groups for both adults and children, psychological support and lots of communication!!!

Nikita

I am very grateful for the support, for getting to know incredible girls. I love breakfast on Thursdays. Girls come and get to know each other, everyone is welcome here!