Children of Heroes Charity Fund Participates in an Event Supporting Families of Fallen and Missing Heroes of Lviv Region

On January 30, 2025, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv hosted the event “Protecting Rights and Supporting Families of Fallen and Missing Heroes of Lviv Region.” The event was organized by the Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Lviv Region, the Children of Heroes Charity Fund, and the university’s Veteran Support and Social Initiatives Center.

The event brought together families of military personnel who lost loved ones in the war, providing them with vital information and support. The primary goal was to raise awareness about the rights of families of fallen and missing military personnel, available benefits, and the procedures for obtaining assistance. Special attention was given to psychological support for mothers and children, as well as the opportunities offered by charitable organizations to ease their hardships. The program included thematic sessions where representatives of governmental and public organizations shared crucial information, explaining assistance procedures in detail.

Professor Volodymyr Kachmar, Vice-Rector for Academic and Social Affairs and Development, emphasized the importance of supporting veterans and their families: “Lviv University has implemented and continues to implement numerous educational and social initiatives aimed at supporting our veterans and their families. I am grateful to the Veteran Support and Social Initiatives Center, public organizations, and all our partners who organize such meetings at the university. Supporting the families of our military — those whose sacrifices allow us to be here — is one of today’s priorities. We must do everything to ensure that our veterans, the children of military personnel, and the children of fallen heroes feel warmth and receive the help they need. Together, we are a great force. Together, we will endure and win.”

Hanna Khomenko, Director of the Children of Heroes Charity Fund, addressed the participants: “When we established the Fund, we had many ideas about what programs to develop. Our main focus was to provide children with opportunities so they could realize their potential in adulthood. Today’s meeting is about providing tools for you, dear participants. You are incredible women. And while each of you carries immense grief and pain, you are also unbelievably strong, and your strength inspires each of us.”

Yaryna Tanchak, Head of the Veteran Support and Social Initiatives Center at the university, highlighted: “We strive to equip the families of our Heroes with all the necessary resources to overcome challenges. Through joint efforts, we can improve the situation.”

Ivan Tymochko, Head of the Council of Reservists of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, also addressed the attendees: “It is crucial that, in discussing our experiences, we also have legislative initiatives. This experience can be translated into legislative changes, which is extremely important. Too often, the current legislation is either contradictory or even diametrically opposed.”

Following this, Taras Podvirnyi, Representative of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Lviv Region, spoke about the Ombudsman’s work and the process of filing appeals. He emphasized the role of Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Ombudsman, in protecting the rights of families of fallen and missing military personnel. He provided an overview of the mechanisms available for addressing the Ombudsman and the activities of the regional office in Lviv. Special attention was given to the legal status of children affected by hostilities and armed conflicts, highlighting the need for comprehensive state support for these families. This topic resonated deeply with the audience and sparked active discussion.

Ulyana Surmai, a representative of the Western Regional Center of the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners of War, whose daughter is the beneficiary of the Children of Heroes CF, provided a detailed overview of the Coordination Headquarters’ activities. She also addressed the most pressing question: changes to the procedure for monthly payments starting February 1, 2025.

The event continued with a presentation by the Butterfly Charity Fund, which assists in preventing domestic violence and supporting internally displaced persons, orphans, combat veterans, and their families. The Butterfly team shared information about their initiatives, including the “Vona” Career and Business Hub for women, a mobile medical clinic, and a Rescue Assistance Center in Lviv.

Additionally, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Children of Heroes and Butterfly charity funds. This partnership will strengthen efforts to provide social, psychological, and legal support to the families of fallen and missing military personnel.

The event concluded with a resilience workshop led by Marta Bilyk, Senior Psychologist of the Children of Heroes Charity Fund. During this session, participants explored their resources, identified emotional drains, and learned strategies for restoring inner strength to cope with challenges.