Ministry to Families of Special Needs Children in Ukraine

When Yana* returned to Ukraine with her two children after living abroad, she knew she needed to find a church. Not only was she a believer in need of Christian fellowship, but she was also a single mother raising a special needs son. Through social media, she discovered an assisted ministry’s church, and one Sunday, she and her children attended a service.

Right away, volunteers noticed Yana, her daughter, and her 14-year-old son, who had cerebral palsy and was non-verbal and immobile. The volunteers greeted the family warmly and immediately invited them to their meetings for families of special needs children. Yana accepted the invitation and began regularly attending.

“For the first time in her life, she was able to communicate with her son in a meaningful way.”

But the volunteers didn’t stop with a simple invitation. One began to educate himself about cerebral palsy, searching specifically for ways to communicate with nonverbal people. “During his research, he discovered a Ukrainian-language communication application designed for people with severe physical disabilities,” the ministry leader said. “Our volunteer introduced this tool to the boy’s mother and helped her learn how to use it. For the first time in her life, she was able to communicate with her son in a meaningful way.”

Finding Beauty Amid Challenges

Yana’s experience was beautiful but not unique. Many families have been transformed through the encouragement and fellowship they have found through this ministry. “Families raising children with special needs often experience isolation and face significant life challenges,” the ministry leader said. “Seeing the great number of such families in our city, we decided to create a space where they can find spiritual support and encouragement.”

“These meetings became a safe and welcoming space.”

Currently, six families attend monthly gatherings in which parents participate in their own program while their children are engaged in activities tailored to their individual needs through one-on-one interaction with volunteers who have been specially trained. “Parents are given a rare opportunity to slow down, connect with one another, share openly, and pray together,” the ministry leader said. “These meetings became a safe and welcoming space where parents not only build deeper relationships with one another but also experience spiritual growth, renewed hope, and a greater sense of God’s presence in their everyday lives.”

You Can Assist With This Special Needs Ministry

Will you assist with this ministry to families raising children with special needs? Your donation today will help provide continued emotional and spiritual support as well as open doors not only for spiritual growth but also to share the gospel with new families who are not yet believers. And please pray specifically for more volunteers as well as Biblical resources in the Ukrainian language. “During our gatherings, we repeatedly see how God gently restores hearts and renews faith,” the ministry leader said. “Thank you for standing with us in prayer.”