Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk paid a working visit to Mykolaiv and visited the Assistance Center of the Charitable Organization “Shchedryk Charitable Foundation,” located in the Korabelny district of the city. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize herself with the humanitarian activities of the foundation and its readiness for the challenges of the coming winter.
During the visit, Serhiy Kolesnyk, President of the Shchedryk Charitable Organization, gave the distinguished guest a tour. He spoke about the key areas of the organization’s work, demonstrating a wide range of activities:
social support for children and families;
training for trolleybus drivers, which contributes to the restoration of urban infrastructure;
joint work with the Kherson Hub and the Department of Social Protection of the Population of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, which demonstrates well-established interregional and state cooperation.
Ms. Iryna also had the opportunity to talk to visitors and aid recipients, as well as see the food packages with her own eyes, learning firsthand about the needs and assistance provided to residents of Mykolaiv.
“I see that you have been working in the humanitarian field for many years, so everything is well-established and, as I can see, everything has been worked out. Sometimes I meet young, new organizations in the region, but yours is already experienced,” said Iryna Vereshchuk, praising the foundation’s many years of experience.
She emphasized the strategic importance of centers such as Shchedryk in wartime.
“It is centers like the ones I visited at Shchedryk that will help us overcome the challenges of this winter,” said Ms. Vereshchuk, stressing the need for effective and coordinated humanitarian support.
The visit included a practical test of effectiveness. The Deputy Head of the President’s Office made a live phone call to one of the partner clinics to personally verify that IDPs from Kherson were receiving the discounts promised under the support program.
It should be noted that this program is being implemented in cooperation with the Kherson Regional Administration, which issues the “Free Together” card at the Shchedryk Center. The card provides access to: joining the community of residents and friends of the Kherson region, special offers from partner companies throughout Ukraine, assistance and services at humanitarian centers in the Kherson region.
As a result of this meeting, Natalia Gorbenko, co-founder of the Shchedryk Charitable Organization, noted that Iryna Vereshchuk’s visit to Shchedryk confirmed the state’s high regard for the experience and effectiveness of volunteer organizations, which provide reliable support in ensuring the livelihoods and welfare of vulnerable groups in frontline regions.