YMCA’s “Refugee Skilling and Support” Project operating in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova & Slovakia is addressing an immediate need for digital competencies, employability-skills building, legal advice, mental health support, and youth work, serving beneficiaries from the communities affected by the war.
This initiative is supported by Accenture Foundation and comes as a response to the accelerated need for digital skilling and inclusion in the area. The implementation of the project was made possible by establishing mobile youth centres and establishments providing digital skilling and educational facilities – eDU Hubs.
In this article, we would like to showcase the development of our programs and stories of success from the YMCA hubs and centres in Romania, Slovakia, Moldova and Ukraine. They are a testimony of the digital upskilling and employability support offered to the refugees in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
Focused on employability and upskilling, the team of YMCA Romania has organized a fantastic event – Job Café – where members of the Ukrainian community, Romanian participants, partners, companies and friends of the YMCA got together to explore the activities and opportunities offered at the eDU Hub.
In Slovakia, the project is receiving more and more participants interested in the Slovakian language classes, at the center in Bratislava, Liptovsky Mikulas and through the mobile hub. The sessions have been delivered since September 2022, by the committed staff team creating not only a session to develop language competencies but a community of people looking out for each other.
The eDU Hub in Boyarka, Ukraine is working with different experts in providing best quality services to the community.
Tetyana began working as a massage therapist and through the support of the eDU Hub set by YMCA Kremenchuk (Ukraine), she learnt how to connect with potential customers. Now she considers massage therapy as her main occupation and plans to open a personal office.
“When the war started, Oleksandr and Olga, from Donetsk, lost their homes and were forced to move out. At Volyn YMCA in Lutsk, Ukraine , the two have found a welcoming community, that is supporting them daily.”
In the shelter where she was hiding, Anna heard about the wonderful work YMCA Zdolbuniv Hub was doing for children, even during the blackouts, in their shelter. Soon after joining the team as a volunteer, she was hired as an assistant at the “YMCA Children’s Club” – a hub that offers a safe space for children to play and spend time together in these difficult moments.
The mobile Hub in Zaporizhja region is working hard to reach out to vulnerable young people and families, offering free-of-charge services: psychosocial support, IT and digitalisation workshops, primary medical care, training in flexible skills, practical support of job search and employment specialists, food kits and medicines for IDPs in need.
When Milena first arrived at the YMCA Moldova eDU Hub, she was shy and quiet. She has special needs, and with the support of the hub’s professional psychologist, she began to open up; and now she is always the first to turn up at the YMCA Hub, excited about the activities on offer.
Also, the activities carried out by YMCA Moldova`s Mobile Hub for local children and refugees from rural areas are undergoing.
The mobile Hub of YMCA Romania is reaching out to young people in vulnerable areas through detached youth work, in the countryside.
These are just some of the success stories obtained from the implementation of the project. A project that changes lives, grows organizations and drives an incredible impact in the communities.
Check out some incredible photos, capturing the moments of care, commitment, and gratitude from the YMCA Hubs across Ukraine and surrounding countries
