Dear friends,

On August 24th, Ukraine celebrated the 33^rd anniversary of its independence. The Ukrainians have been heroically defending their independence and universal democratic values battling Russia’s invasion. The world has witnessed the genocidal nature of the war, with mass killing, war crimes against civilians and innocent people. It is crucial for the people of Ukraine to feel that they are not alone in this battle against evil.

On behalf of all Ukrainians, we would like to express our most profound gratitude to the American people. Your prayers deflect bullets. Your understanding of the truth in the biblical story of David standing up to Goliath informs our society's support of Ukraine, and that support has been generous and crucial.

Through your generosity and commitment, the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the US has offered hope and sustenance to the people of Ukraine at a time of devastating, genocidal war. We ask you to keep it up. Ukrainians will not give up. We believe your solidarity will continue and God’s truth will prevail.

RUSSIA’S BRUTALITY CALLS FOR OUR SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

In the past few months, we have seen the increased ruthlessness of the Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians. At least 219 civilians were killed and 1,018 injured in Ukraine in July 2024, which makes it the deadliest month for civilians since October 2022 (UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine https://ukraine.un.org/en). The world was appalled by the July 8 Russian forces’ large-scale, coordinated attacks that killed at least 43 civilians, including 5 children, and injured 147, including 7 children, in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih (Dnipropetrovsk region) and Kyiv region. Russia’s barbarous attack on the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Hospital damaged the Center for Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery killing children, doctors, and medical staff. Volunteers rushed to save human lives from the collapsed debris. Institutions and people of good will offered help to the wounded and collected funds to rebuild the hospital in Kyiv. The Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund also contributed by helping suffering children.

Emergency personnel, volunteers and hospital workers helping to clear the rubbish after the Russians bombed Okhmatdyt hospital in Kyiv on July 8, 2024© Vitaliy Mikula

HELPING TO HEAL, GIVING HOPE, BUILDING RESILIENCE

Archbishop Borys Gudziak greets Sashko from Kharkiv, who has learned to walk using his prosthetics at the “Superhumans” center in Lviv.

Thanks to your generous support, the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund (HWF) of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the US has already supported 39 projects distributing $788,500 in 2024. The HWF helped to support 14 rehabilitation centers; 2 shelters for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), sponsored 2 Catholic hospitals funded with medical equipment and renovation, provided 2000 food packages to those in need; co-financed and delivered 2 ambulances; conducted 7 summer camps for 173 children of IDPS. Three religious orders who gave comfort to IDPs were funded and 1 National Conference on Mental health was sponsored. In addition, 12 military chaplains provided spiritual support.

Together, we have helped to heal wounds of the war, giving hope and building resilience.

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

SUPPORTED BY THE FUND IN 2024

Rehabilitation of military families and veterans in the village of Maidan near Lviv

Delivering ambulances to Ukraine funded by the HWF through Medical Life Lines Ukraine (MLLU) team, August, 2024

Conducting summer camp for children of IDPs from different regions of Ukraine in Italy, June 2024, funded by the HWF

HWF BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS VISIT UKRAINE AT THE INVITATION OF ARCHBISHOP BORYS GUDZIAK

“The generosity of American Catholics is utilized very well. I was able to see this during my trip to Ukraine. I am thrilled to be here in Ukraine.” Auxiliary Bishop Italo Dell'Oro, CRS (Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)

Just before the ferocious attacks on the capital of Ukraine in July, Bishop Italo Dell'Oro, CRS an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (this archdiocese is the biggest supporter of the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund contributing $803,874 to the Fund in 2024), Sister Donna Markham, OP, Ph.D., past president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (2015-2023) and a member of the Program Board of the Fund, Deacon Ed Schoener, president of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers and Mr. Charles Walsh, wealth manager visited Ukraine at the invitation of Metropolitan Borys Gudziak on June 26 through July 2, 2024.

Our guests prayed at the Stradch pilgrimage center near the city of Lviv during the Annual Pilgrimage dedicated to the blessed Martyrs of the UGCC, Rev. Mykola Konrad and Volodymyr Pryima, who were murdered by Russian soldiers as they were on their way to administer the Holy Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist on June 26, 1941. The pilgrimage was attended by the Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, 16 bishops and more than 10,000 persons, including approximately 300 family members who lost their loved ones during the war. During his sermon, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, expressed his gratitude to the faithful of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese and the American faithful for their support and solidarity.

Praying together for peace in Ukraine at the Stradch pilgrimage site ©Lviv Archeparchy

Visiting the Superhumans Rehabilitation and Prosthetics Center in Lviv

From the left: Charlie Walsh, Annetta Hewko, Natalia Klymovska, Sister Donna Markham, Oleh Tsunovskyy, Bishop Italo Dell’Orro, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Rev. Roman Oliinyk, Ruslana Danylkina, Olena Rudneva (CEO of the center)

The city of Lviv in western Ukraine has become a medical hub and a safe haven for those wounded in the war. The “Superhumans” Center together with the “Unbroken” Center provide a full cycle of care to their patients: offering prosthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery, physical and mental rehabilitation. We met an 11-year-old boy Sashko from Kharkiv, who just started walking using his prosthetic leg. One of the center’s assistants, who taught him to walk using his prosthetic for the first time and saw him fall to the floor asked Sashko: “Did you experience your first time falling?” The boy replied – “I experienced the first time getting up. “Sashko’s lost his sister, when his home city of Kharkiv (the second largest city in Ukraine with approximately 1.5 mill. inhabitants) was bombarded by the Russians.

These two leading centers in Ukraine share best practices with other centers in the country. There is a great need to continue support in this area.

Note: There are around 60,000 Ukrainians who have undergone amputations.

The “Superhumans” and “Unbroken” Centers in Lviv can provide prosthetics to approximately 3000 patients per year (which means 20 years twould be required to help all those in need as of now).

HWF supported both centers with grants equaling $30,000 each.

Meeting with the Head of the UGCC – Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk

“I am proud that our bishops and priests remained with their parishioners. I admire their exceptional service. I visited the city of Kharkiv 10 days ago. They are in an extremely difficult humanitarian situation.” Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Head of the Church Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Bishop Italo Dell’Oro and Charlie Walsh

During his meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk shared good news, namely that two priests, Rev. Ivan Levitsky and Rev. Bohdan Geleta ˗ who were imprisoned by the Russians for 1.5 years ˗ were released on June 30, 2024. “We are grateful to the Holy Father and the Catholics around the world for their prayers and support. Please continue praying for the prisoners of the war in Ukraine. There are still 28,000 Ukrainian civilians held in Russian captivity”, stated the head of the Church.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church with more than 3,000 parishes in Ukraine has mobilized its efforts to help those affected by the war. “Wounds of the traumatic experience of the war are growing. The Church is called to assist thousands of people who are in grief, who are suffering mental illnesses.

Our priests are trained to offer the best pastoral care, but also to identify mental illnesses among our parishioners and direct them to a specialist in this area,” stated the head of the UGCC. The Synod of Bishops of the UGCC has initiated the Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Program, which focuses on helping those who have experienced the trauma of the war.

The Church has established two Charitable Foundations: Caritas Ukraine and “Mudra Sprava” to help with humanitarian needs, but also to provide pastoral and mental care ministries.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed gratitude to the global community for their solidarity and support.

On the photo from left to right: Bishop Andriy Khimiak (secretary of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC), Rev. Bohdan Geleta, Victor Elenskiy, Rev. Ivan Levitsky, and Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas (Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine) ©Department of Information of the UGCC

Meeting with the President of Caritas Ukraine

Ms. Tetiana Stawnychy

Serving those in need. Ms. Tetiana Stawnychy, president of Caritas Ukraine and sister Donna Markham, OP, Ph.D., past president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (2015-2023)

“We could have had a catastrophe. 14 million Ukrainians were forced to leave their homes escaping the war. Caritas Ukraine organized an Emergency Response mobilizing the support of donors all over the world providing food, water, shelter, and medicine to those in need. Actions make you humans.” Ms. Tetiana Stawnychy, president of Caritas Ukraine

Caritas Ukraine has a network of 45 branches in Ukraine providing different range of services. It is affiliated with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and it has offered one of the largest outreach services helping people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs, nationality, or social status. Caritas has provided over 5 million services to over 3 million beneficiaries since February 24, 2022.

There are around 200 psychologists working within the Caritas network offering psychological support to those affected by the war. Caritas Ukraine provides food- security assistance to IDPs and ensures immediate assistance to safe drinking water; manages 37 temporary shelters; creates children-friendly spaces; social cohesion and community development programs. Caritas sets standards for other charitable foundations in Ukraine.

Visiting the Three Holy Saints parish in Brovary, near Kyiv and meeting with families who lost their loved ones during the war.

“We have created a women-support group at Three Holy Saints parish in Brovary. Father Oleh is always here for us, praying together, showing support and care. We mourn our loved ones, but we also learn to trust the Lord and support each other the best we can.” (Natalia Yanchenko, Brovary)

Praying together with mothers and wives of fallen soldiers at a cemetery in Brovary near Kyiv

Rev. Oleh Panchyniak has initiated a women’s support group in his parish. The parish community has become the second family for them. Everyone in the parish helps out by showing love and care to the women’s heroes. There are many women’s support groups functioning in the UGCC parishes and local clergies and parishioners are active in providing much-needed support.

A meeting with Mayors Andriy Sadovyy of Lviv and Vadym Boychenko of Mariupol

Meeting at Lviv’s City Hall with the mayor of Lviv Andriy Sadoviy and the mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boichenko

“Our city has become a welcoming center for IDPs, wounded soldiers and war veterans.” Mayor Andriy Sadoviy.

“We are already thinking about rebuilding our city of Mariupol. We will return to our city. I am a Roman Catholic, who takes my faith seriously.” Mayor Vadym Boichenko

Mayor Sadoviy spoke about the city’s efforts to help veterans and IDPs. The city has renovated and opened the Center for Rehabilitation of War Veterans “Unbroken” and expanded the Clinical Municipal Communal emergency hospital, as every week hundreds of wounded arrive from the east. The mayor of Mariupol mentioned that 50% of the city was destroyed and more than 20,000 civilians were killed during the Russian brutal siege of the city. Mayor Boichenko is a man of faith, and he believes in victory and is making plans to rebuild the city of Mary.

Sponsoring the Conference Collective Resilience, Healing and Growth at the Ukrainian Catholic University

Oleksandra Matviichuk, a human rights defender, at the UCU-hosted Conference on “Collective Resilience, Healing and Growth.” O. Matviichuk heads the human rights organization “Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund sponsored a conference titled “Collective Resilience, Healing and Growth” which was organized by the UCU’s Institute of Mental Health together with the state-sponsored All-Ukrainian Program of Mental Health “ty jak – How are you?”

The organizers invited leading mental health specialists... Speaking at the conference, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak emphasized the importance of giving hope in the time of destruction, death and trauma.

“The source of hope and resilience can be found in Jesus Christ and his love for us”, stated Archbishop Borys. The First Lady of Ukraine, Mrs. Olena Zelenska, delivered an online presentation at the conference on the formula of Ukrainian Resilience. Representatives of the national All-Ukrainian Program of Mental Health “Ty jak? – How are you?” emphasized the importance of collective responsibility and mutual work by the state, NGOs and educational institutions. Two of Ukraine’s former dissidents, namely Myroslav Marynovych, of the Ukrainian Catholic University and Joseph Zisels, a director of the Ukrainian Jewish Committee, spoke about their struggle in the Russian Gulag camps and mustering the necessary resilience to overcome the Soviet system. The human rights defender, Oleksandra Matviichuk, gave a presentation about the importance of disclosing war crimes against civilians in Ukraine. Such activism helps humanity to denounce the Russian genocide against Ukrainians and hopefully prevent new wars.

The Conference has helped to connect many organizations and institutions that work in the area of mental health and share their best practices. The HWF is open to new projects that enhance the mental health initiatives in Ukraine.

SHARING EXPERTISE AND EXTENDING HELP

We are grateful to the professionals and the people of good will, who are eager to share their knowledge and expertise helping people in Ukraine. The Healing of Wounds of the War in Ukraine Fund welcomes these wonderful initiatives and helps to facilitate them.

Sister Donna Markham, OP, Ph.D., past president and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, who led the largest US charities in the US from 2015 through 2023 has agreed to share her wisdom and extensive experience and became a member of the Program Board of the Fund. We are grateful to sister Donna for her dedication and support!

Deacon Ed Shoener, the president of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers has come with a special mission to Ukraine. His organization, established in Scranton, PA, helps to set up mental health ministries in parishes all over the US and internationally. Deacon Ed has come to help parishes in Ukraine provide mental and spiritual support to those affected by the war.

Joanne Steen, MS, NCC, a board-certified counselor, professional instructor, and published author on military loss and trauma in wartime has volunteered to offer her help. Joanne has been in touch with the Institute of Mental Health of the Ukrainian Catholic University and providing her expertise in dealing with the grief of sudden deaths.

Charlie Walsh, a wealth manager from Boston, MA, has offered his help to start a fundraising campaign in his area to help the people of Ukraine.

We are grateful to our volunteers and benefactors! May the Good Lord reward you with countless blessings!

If you would like to volunteer and help the people of Ukraine, please let us know by contacting us at healingwoundsfund@ukrcatholic.org

THE HEALING OF WOUNDS OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE FINANCIAL REPORT

(January 1 - July 31, 2024)