By Benjamin Rosas
As the war continues, our commitment to supporting Ukrainian children has only grown stronger, because every child deserves the chance to succeed. This belief shaped the foundation of Kidsave’s Corporate Mentoring program, Pathway to Success. For the past seven years, this program has helped older kids and teens in orphanages and institutions prepare for independent living through mentorship, career training, and guidance. To date, our mentoring network has supported more than 1,400 children across regions including Kyiv.
This summer was filled with meaningful milestones and proud achievements, each a reminder of what can be accomplished when people come together to support older youth in need of connections.
In May, our Mentoring Program successfully paired youth with dedicated SuperMentors. SuperMentors are young adults who previously participated in the Pathway to Success program and now give back as leaders and mentors. Together, they supported 114 young people, helping them explore career and university opportunities as well as coping strategies for navigating life-changing events.
To ensure the quality of support is always at its peak, our SuperMentors regularly participate in specialized online training sessions. In partnership with the Coordination Center, these trainings brought together child welfare experts, charitable foundations, and social service centers, equipping mentors with the knowledge and tools to provide the best possible care and guidance to their mentees.
To gain real-world insight into professional life, the youth visited the GRUNDFOS office. GRUNDFOS, a global leader in pump manufacturing, is dedicated to improving communities worldwide by providing clean water solutions. Spending time with professionals in an office setting not only helped the kids explore potential career interests but helped them develop workplace skills such as communication, teamwork, and focus.
On June 1st, in honor of Children’s Protection Day, Kidsave held an event for over 110 children in Pravdyne. This event gave kids a chance to forget about the horrors of war and provided a safe space to play games, dance, and enjoy their youth. After overcoming a power outage, the day was a celebration of the bravery Ukrainian children muster every day, offering a rare moment of joy and laughter for kids in need. In honor of the holiday, our team also delivered gift packages to children in Luch and organized a movie night in Mykolaiv.
Mental health remains one of the greatest obstacles for youth in the child welfare system, and our SuperMentors know how vital it is to prioritize kids' well-being. In July and August, we focused on these mental health challenges. Our SuperMentors provided meaningful support by arranging individual meetings, prepared an interactive session for Mental Health Day, and formed group chats encouraging each other and speaking on what keeps them going.
Alyona, a teen in our mentoring program, said: “It was such a pleasure to take part in this event, to speak openly and sincerely on various topics, and to discuss supporting our mental health. The specialists were genuine and happily shared their own experiences and practices related to the training’s theme.”
By the end of summer and the start of the new school year, more than 560 kids had participated in Kidsave’s 2025 Mentoring Program. Through Pathway to Success, these youth were given the tools, guidance, and encouragement needed to build brighter futures. With our SuperMentors leading the way, Kidsave is honored to help bring light and hope to the children of Ukraine.
Learn more about how to get involved and make a difference today.
