Imagine you are Alena, a young Ukrainian girl who has married recently. Rather quickly you notice your husband has started drinking. You are soon blessed with children. But about this same time his drinking has increased greatly and he has started gambling. Then you notice things are missing from the home and learn they were sold to cover gambling debts and his drinking. You begin working a second job to provide for your children because he has stopped working. You want to remain a good wife and try and help him but you are becoming exhausted from the responsibilities of your dear children and your work. Then one day you come in from work to find everything in your home has been taken including all your precious family heirlooms. Your husband is nowhere to be found. Since there are essentially no assistance programs available and you could not begin to afford a psychologist or an attorney you feel completely distraught and helpless. Later you find your husband has gone to live with another woman. You now have nothing in your home and no idea where to turn for help.

This is a true story with just the name changed. This is also just representative of a myriad of the same or similar stories of Ukrainian women. A bottle of vodka cost less than a bottle of water. Alcoholism is a major problem and gambling is legal.

It was recognition of this need that led to the founding of a one-of-a-kind center to help abused and abandoned women and the children they are trying to support. It is now fully operational as a Ukrainian charitable organization. We provide two social managers to meet the women when they arrive. They work with them and help decide what needs exist to met. We provide a psychologist and an attorney if these services are considered appropriate.. All of this is provided free of charge.

Dr. Stillwagon serves as Chairman of the Governing Board. It is supported entirely by Struggling Kids at present.














































http://20minut.ua/news/78784
http://20minut.ua/news/78530