Volunteering that became a way of life: an interview with Yevheniia

At 43, Yevheniia lives in Kyiv, has a 22-year-old daughter, and works as the Head of the Distance Learning Department at a national gas station network. At the same time, she finds fulfillment in volunteering — leading creative workshops for teenagers at the Misto Syly (Place of Strength) space. Despite her busy schedule and multiple parallel projects, she always finds time and inspiration to support those who need it most.

The Path to Creativity

Her creative journey began long before volunteering — even before motherhood — but it was motherhood that gave it new meaning.

“Motherhood is such an interesting stage of life — you suddenly discover new skills you never thought you had. You start doing things you’d never done before — macramé, crafts, decorations. I was creative before my daughter was born, but after she arrived, it reached another level,” she recalls.

When her daughter grew up, Yevheniia felt the desire to create an environment where children could feel safe and inspired — and decided to build it herself. That’s how she began working with teenagers and organizing various creative activities for them.

“Sometimes, when you get tired of the corporate world, switching to creative work with teens feels truly magical.”

From Pandemic Volunteering to the Dobrodiy Club

Her volunteering story began in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A friend, Olya, invited her to help Tabletochki, a foundation supporting children with cancer.

“Because of quarantine, volunteers couldn’t enter hospitals. By then, I had over 10 years of experience in online education and felt at home in Zoom and Google Meet. So we started hosting online meet-ups with kids — playing games like Crocodile and Saboteur, chatting, and simply staying connected,” — says Yevheniia.

Through that same friend, she discovered the Dobrodiy Club in 2022 and joined its art-therapy sessions organized in partnership with UNICEF.

“That was my first experience with the Dobrodiy Club. We created a space where you could draw, glue, make things with your hands — and at the same time, process emotions.”

From her first meetings, she felt that this community was something special — well-structured, thoughtful, and deeply caring about both volunteers and teenagers.

“I saw how new volunteers joined and how important it was that their first experience was gentle and supportive. It reduces fear and makes you want to come back.”

Finding “Place of Power”

After those first experiences, Yevheniia realized she wanted to be part of something bigger — not just events, but a true community. When she saw early hints online about a new space for teenagers — Place of Power — she immediately felt drawn to it.

“I followed every update on Instagram — stories, posts, behind-the-scenes photos. I knew right away I wanted to be part of it. My first visit was on the day the space opened. You could feel how much heart and care had gone into creating it.”

Today, she leads creative weekend workshops there and even represented Place of Power at the Courage Bazaar festival, helping visitors create affirmation paintings.

“It was an exciting experience — something completely new. There were lots of kids with parents, and we realized that even adults want to join in and feel like teenagers again.”

Understanding Teenagers

Yevheniia believes teenagers are more open to self-expression than adults — and that’s their superpower.

“Affirmations are about what supports you. Teens are much more open to exploring that support within themselves. Adults, on the other hand, often follow patterns and struggle to let themselves feel what truly matters.”

She notices that many teens today deal with high anxiety and perfectionism — wanting to do everything “just right” and feeling frustrated when things don’t work out. Simple, familiar formats help them feel grounded, while favorite activities — like textured painting or felting — create room for experimentation and freedom.

“Teenagers are very sensitive and observant, yet strong. They often test adults at first — to see if they can trust you. It’s important to stay nearby but not pressure them — to show them: I’m here, and you’re safe with me.”

She deeply admires how the new generation sets boundaries — calmly, respectfully, and with confidence.

“I really love this generation. They know how to communicate as equals and respect others’ opinions. I think that’s a sign our society is slowly maturing.”

When Volunteering Becomes a Calling

For Yevheniia, Misto Syly is a place where real change happens. She remembers a boy who at first spoke only about the war — but now confidently shares his thoughts on any topic. Stories like his, she says, prove that even small steps can have a deep impact.

Having years of volunteer experience, she knows one golden rule: you can’t help others if you’re running on empty.

“Take care of yourself first. Volunteering is wonderful, but without resources you can burn out and even harm yourself. Like in a plane — put your own oxygen mask on first.”

For her, volunteering is not just about helping others — it’s also about self-discovery. It reveals new sides of yourself, sometimes completely unexpected ones.

“It’s a way to gain new skills and find like-minded people. The main thing is to choose organizations whose values resonate with you.”

This experience inspired her not only to participate in initiatives but also to create her own projects.

“At some point, I received so much — now I want to give back.”

Dreaming of the Future

Yevheniia’s dream is to travel across Ukraine after victory, visiting remote towns and villages to hold creative workshops for teenagers.

She believes such meetings will be especially important in post-war recovery — when many children have lost fathers or older brothers who might have taught them to craft or build something with their own hands.

“These workshops can become a way for kids to feel care, find inner support, and believe in their own strength.”

We’re sincerely grateful to Yevheniia for her dedication and warmth — and we’re sure her future projects will bring hope and transformation to many young hearts.