Education Not Bombs
Change Futures & Grow Tomorrow’s Leaders
While air raid sirens continue across Ukraine, something extraordinary is happening inside the Shoulder-to-Shoulder Learning & Healing Hub in Poltava. Because of your generosity, children are preparing for university, teenagers are becoming leaders, women are rebuilding livelihoods, and older adults are rediscovering friendship, purpose, and hope. We have served 1,832 since opening on October 1, 2025. Thank you for making this possible.
Education Changes Futures
Our summer focus is preparing teenagers for Ukraine's National Multi-Subject Test (NMT); their pathway to higher education. Students include youth who have lost fathers in the war and children from single-parent families. Education offers them more than knowledge - it offers hope. Our new 3D Modeling course has exceeded every expectation, creating an immediate need for additional laptops as enrollment continues to grow.
Growing Tomorrow's Leaders
Sixteen-year-old Misha, a graduate of our leadership program, launched his own initiative; School of Resilience Poltava 2026. Designed by a teenager for teenagers, the program is already inspiring other young people to become leaders themselves. Your investment is creating ripple effects that extend far beyond our classrooms.
“Participants are becoming leaders.”
A Story You Made Possible
When Liudmyla Nosyk first arrived, she was quiet and withdrawn. She began leading fitness classes for older adults before rediscovering her passion for art. Today, one of her paintings has been accepted into the permanent collection of the Poltava Local Lore Museum. Your support didn't simply help an artist create again—it helped a woman rediscover her confidence while preserving the cultural heritage of her community.
Healing Beyond Humanitarian Aid
Tea & Talk gatherings, theatre classes, creative workshops, and Harmony Yoga are helping women rebuild friendships, confidence, and emotional resilience. 2
“You are not only supporting the women who come here. You are supporting me, too... Every hryvnia I earn is another step toward my freedom.” ~Shoulder to Shoulder Teacher
Building for the Future
Shoulder to Shoulder received its first major institutional grant from the Ukrainian Women's Fund, strengthening our governance and long-term sustainability so we can continue serving women, children, and families affected by war.
Thank You
Your generosity is transforming lives every day. Together we are proving that education is stronger than fear, community is stronger than isolation, and hope is stronger than war.
Please check out our 3-min Video; Fundraising to Impact; If you attended in San Diego, you may see yourself in the audience.
https://youtube.com/shorts/ZeY4rZrezLM?feature=shared
Our Fall semester fundraising goal is $18,000. Won’t you consider a tax-deductible donation today?
