Transforming an Idea into a Global Humanitarian Force: How Ukrainian Charity Expands to the USA
Children of Heroes of Ukraine Foundation takes care of children who have lost their parents (or one of them) as a result of the war for various reasons. These are children of both military and civilians.
To fortify its mission and extend support to a more significant number of Ukrainian children impacted by the repercussions of war, the Children of Heroes Foundation expanded a dedicated Board of Directors in the United States.
As of February 2024, more than 7,860 children are under the Foundation’s care, and the total amount of assistance provided since the Foundation’s inception has reached $7,680,903. Given the ongoing hostilities and war, the Foundation expects the number of children under its care to increase to 10,000 by early next year.
The Fund assists children and their families in the following main areas: emergency care, medical care, humanitarian support, socialization, education and development, mentoring, and career assistance.
Children of Heroes CF is guided by a distinguished and seasoned Board of Directors. This board, consisting of diverse individuals with varied backgrounds and expertise, is dedicated to furnishing these children with educational opportunities, emotional support, and financial aid, enabling them to surmount the obstacles their circumstances pose.
Successfully managing and delivering essential aid on a significant scale necessitates the engagement of professionals spanning diverse fields and accomplished leaders with a proven track record of collaborating with international partners, coupled with a profound understanding of strategic development. To fortify the operational capacities of the organization, the Children of Heroes Charitable Foundation has strategically enlisted influential leaders to augment its Board of Directors. This esteemed group includes:
- Mark Iwashko, Chairman, Co-Managing Partner at Diligent Capital Partners.
- Daniyil Pasko, Co-Founder of Children of Heroes, Co-Managing Partner at Diligent Capital Partners.
- Danilo Yakub, Co-Founder of Children of Heroes, Senior Partner and COO at Diligent Capital Partners.
- Archbishop Borys Gudziak, President of Ukrainian Catholic University, Archbishop at Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States.
- Igor Petrov, Co-Founder, Head of Production and Business Development at REMO.
- Roman Dubczak, Deputy Chair at CIBC Capital Markets.
- Alan Epstein, Co-Chair of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, member of YPO Angeleno Gold.
- Roberta Brzezinski, Managing Partner of Capitalworks EM.
- Madeleine Schachter, Assistant Professor of Weill Cornell Medicine.
- Kathy Nalywajko, President of the Ukrainian Institute of America.
- Natalie M. Derzko, Counsel of Covington & Burling LLP.
Their collective expertise and dedication are poised to significantly enhance the Foundation’s capabilities, particularly ensuring a more robust and impactful approach to its philanthropic endeavors.
‘The emotional pain resulting from the sudden loss of a loved one is a difficult burden to bear. This is especially true for children who have lost a parent who had provided them with the unconditional love, security, and indispensable guidance that are so necessary during their formative years. While we will never be able to fully replace what they lost, the support that Children of Heroes extends to these children will help build a foundation for and restore their optimism for a brighter future. I express my gratitude to the individuals who have joined the Board of Directors to provide leadership and guidance in maximizing these efforts. Together, we will work to enhance the lives of as many affected children as possible’ – says Mark Iwashko, Co-Managing Partner at Diligent Capital Partners and Chairman of the Board of Directors (USA).
Moreover, Children of Heroes holds official registration in Ukraine and the Netherlands, boasting a verified non-profit status per local legislation. In each of these nations, the charitable organization has instituted boards of directors and/or supervisory boards comprising representatives from Ukrainian and international businesses and influential leaders. This structure ensures a robust and diverse governance framework, facilitating the organization’s mission to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those it serves.