Kryvyi Rih WeCare Center

About Kryvyi Rih

Pre-war population: 600,000 residents. The city is in a region that borders all Eastern and Southern areas which are or have been partially or fully occupied. It is now home to 80,000+internally displaced Ukrainians.

High-priority needs: humanitarian needs, trauma counseling, education, youth activities and child care

Services provided to 42,700+ people (Aug. 2023-March 2026):

• Education, child care, youth and sports clubs
• Trauma, and spiritual counseling
• Humanitarian aid

In late March 2025, the director of the Kryvyi Rih WeCare Center delivered this presentation (at right) to the UPF Advocacy Board to highlight the outstanding work his team is doing very close to the war’s front lines. Just days later, on April 4, the city was was struck by a vicious Russian missile attack. Among the casualties were nine innocent children, ages 3-17, who were enjoying a spring day on a local playground.  This heartbreaking loss of young lives is captured in this Associated Press photo gallery (which includes images that may be disturbing to some viewers.)

Several of the children killed were friends with members of the youth soccer teams sponsored by the Kryvyi Rih WeCare Center. The soccer program, and what it means to the children and their families in the city, is described in the presentation. This trauma and loss will have a life-long impact – and WeCare Center staff are offering children and families ongoing emotional and spiritual support.

We encourage you to view this 15-minute video to learn more about this vital ministry in Kryvyi Rih, which exemplifies the work of all 21 WeCare Centers in Ukraine. Your prayers and gifts are a life-line to our WeCare Centers across the nation, as well as UBTS, all of which are in harm’s way every day as no place in Ukraine is safe from a Russian missile attack at any time.