Thanks to the intense work of the ten Vincentian Family branches present in Ukraine, a new service was born near the capital. A transitional housing facility for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness is now operational and is currently supporting 25 people.  This was possible with the support of the Holy Father, the Vatican Embassy and various congregations of the Vincentian Family, as well as private benefactors.

Managed by Depaul International on behalf of the Vincentian Family, the house serves not only as temporary housing but also as a support hub to restore inner strength. 

A social worker is based in the Transitional Housing facility and is usually the first point of contact for beneficiaries, responsible for registration and assessment. Her role includes identifying the beneficiary’s most urgent and priority needs as well as understanding what the person hopes to achieve with the support of Depaul Ukraine and the Vincentian Family. 

The social worker also assesses beneficiaries’ social and professional skills to support them towards employment and long-term reintegration. One of the most in-demand services remains document restoration. Many people who first approach the center do not possess any identification documents. Depaul Ukraine supports beneficiaries throughout the process of restoring their passport and taxpayer identification number and covers the state fees associated with these procedures. 

Collaboration with other organizations is crucial for this project. Currently, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Kyiv (Blessed Marta Wietcka Conference) provides hot meals and medical care in collaboration with the Sisters of the Miraculous Medal.

Depaul Ukraine also collaborates with partner organizations and volunteers in order to provide psychological assistance. This is especially important for newly evacuated individuals and former prisoners of war, many of whom experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and disorientation. Cooperation with the Association of Alcoholics Anonymous also continues, and the plan is to further strengthen psychological support services.

A first psychosocial wellbeing activity took place during a picnic a few weeks ago on the lawn in front of the new house. With the support of a volunteer facilitator, a music circle was organized for 15 participants. A music circle is a practice where people gather together for collective singing, rhythm exercises, vocal expression, and simple music-making in a safe and supportive environment. The purpose of this activity is not to “sing well” but rather to reduce stress, process emotions, and restore inner resources through voice, rhythm, and shared interaction.

During the activity, beneficiaries sang folk songs and played instruments such as maracas and a shruti box. The event became a safe space where participants could express emotions freely, reconnect with themselves and others and experience the feeling of “I am not alone.”

In addition, a discussion club is organized together with the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (Sisters of the Miraculous Medal) and volunteers to foster humanitarian and humanistic values.

Activities like these will continue with the objective of creating a supportive community and promoting residents’ independence.

The Transitional Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness project is a new experience and learning process for Depaul Ukraine. There are currently very few organizations in Ukraine that provide housing support in a similar format. It represents a new stage in the development of programs and an organizational mission to end homelessness.

In April 2025, Yuriy first visited the Depaul Ukraine Day Centre for people experiencing homelessness. His life story had once been creative, inspiring, and full of promise. He lived in now-occupied Donetsk, where he worked as a leading instructor at the Donetsk branch of the Kyiv School of Photography. He developed a photography club whose members won prizes in national competitions, organized exhibitions, published articles in magazines, and continuously nurtured his artistic talent. 

But the war that came to his home forced Yuriy to leave his native Donetsk. Fortunately, Kyiv welcomed him with a new opportunity — a position at the Kyiv School of Photography. 

The second major blow came with the COVID-19 pandemic. The school moved online and eventually suspended its activities. 

“I was left without work, without my hobby,” Yuriy shares sadly. 

His only source of income became online work. But after his phone and tablet were stolen — together with his documents — he lost not only his belongings but also the ability to continue working remotely. The only option he saw for himself was living in the metro. 

In the summer of 2025, Yuriy decided to make a change and moved from the metro into the Depaul Ukraine night shelter. He was then given the opportunity to join the Transitional Housing program. 

Here, Yuriy is gradually adapting and rebuilding the skills needed for independent living. With the compassionate support of a social worker, he is actively searching for employment. His passport has already been restored, but due to the absence of Donetsk registration documents, he is still unable to obtain IDP status and access related social benefits. 

Yuriy actively participates in the life of the project: he attends activities, helps with household responsibilities, and contributes to the community atmosphere. 

Most importantly, Yuriy dreams of returning to photography. 

Depaul Ukraine believes in this possibility and continues to support him on his journey toward recovery and dignity.