The Ukrainian Red Cross opens a regional Community Centre in Vinnytsia
Today, a new Ukrainian Red Cross Community Centre has opened in Vinnytsia. It is a space for support, development, and connection, designed to help people overcome challenges and access essential information and knowledge.
This is the first Community Centre established at the regional level, representing a significant step towards fostering a cohesive and resilient community where everyone can feel supported.
Valentyna Zalievska, Coordinator of the Community Centre in Vinnytsia, outlined the Centre’s main areas of focus:
- Individual consultations on accessing social services, including assistance with registering for subsidies, pensions, IDP status, restoring documents, employment, and more.
- Psychosocial support, offered through one-on-one consultations.
- Group activities, such as educational events, training sessions, creative workshops, and lectures focused on self-help and personal development.
“Vinnytsia is the first city where we are opening a Community Centre at the regional level. We are confident that this space will benefit the entire community. It is a place for meetings, dialogue, and finding solutions. We invite representatives from the public sector, NGOs, and local initiatives to join us in developing effective responses together,” said Kateryna Bilevtsova, Head of the Community Centres Development Sector of the Ukrainian Red Cross.
During the opening event, participants were introduced to the Centre’s initial results and future plans, ranging from training programmes to tailored support for the most vulnerable members of the community.
Svitlana Yarmolenko, Head of the Social and Youth Policy Department of the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration, highlighted the ongoing collaboration:
“Together with the Ukrainian Red Cross, we have already implemented a number of important initiatives — from the Prykhystok programme to supplying critical facilities with generators. Now we are entering a new phase: developing high-quality social services for veterans, the elderly, and people with disabilities. This Community Centre will become a vital support hub for those in need.”
The opening of the Centre was made possible thanks to the support of the Japanese Red Cross. At the ceremony, Yoshiki Hino, representative of the Japanese Red Cross, stated:
“I have no doubt that this Centre will become a place where all stakeholders come together to implement socially important initiatives, respond to challenges, and support the community.”
During the interactive session, participants exchanged ideas for further development of the Centre and explored opportunities for cross-sector collaboration.
