The Phoenix
Volunteer Action is opening ‘The Phoenix’, a long-term home, rehabilitation centre, and humanitarian-aid centre. The building, a former home of Count Stanisław Skarbek, is located on 13 acres near Lviv and will accept displaced Ukrainians as residents.
Our target population includes women, children, the elderly, and disabled individuals from eastern Ukraine. Residents’ pets and farm animals are also welcome!
Some of the on-site offerings:
Rehabilitation centre for war victims with psychological and life-rebuilding assistance
Dehydrated food kitchen to supply aid to frontline areas
Candle-making industry to support frontline areas
Work programs manufacturing culturally significant items for income/fundraising
Farming and livestock to provide food
Various children’s programs, including on-site pre-school and kindergarten assistance
Adult-education trainings and job-seeking / career assistance
Medical / dental / veterinary services, which will employ local workers
The building, a former residence of Count Stanisław Skarbek, is located near Lviv and will accept displaced Ukrainians. Our target population includes women, children, the elderly, and disabled individuals from eastern Ukraine.
We are unique
The Phoenix is not a shelter but a self-sufficient community that bolsters Ukrainian efforts and prepares for post-victory life. This safe haven provides long-term accommodation that promotes personal empowerment, restores physical, mental and emotional health and enables our residents to serve their country during its time of need. The surrounding grounds with forests, fields, lakes and trails promote a healing atmosphere and safe space for children’s activities.
The surrounding grounds with forests, fields, lakes and trails promote a healing atmosphere and safe space for children’s activities.
The Phoenix is designed to be as self-sustainable as possible via resources such as solar panels, renewable farming, and resident involvement in management, maintenance and upkeep of the premises.
Project goals
Provide safe and welcoming long-term accommodation for IDPs from eastern Ukraine
Implement sustainability initiatives to increase self reliance and decrease dependence
on external funding
Create jobs for residents in various fields
Provide families with psychological rehabilitation and reintegration services
Collaborate with international organisations to achieve objectives
Some Key Needs of Ukrainian IDPs:
IDPs in Ukraine have faced significant challenges since the conflict began in 2014 and escalated in 2022. Their needs are multifaceted, encompassing immediate humanitarian aid, psychological support, and longer-term integration into host communities.
RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Accomodation for over 100 people
Families will be housed together
in private rooms.
Accepting of people with disabilities,
the elderly and pets.
PETS AND FARM ANIMALS WELCOME
Evacuation teams on the frontlines frequently meet people who are not willing to leave without their pets and farm animals, and many shelters cannot accommodate animals. Imagine a world where people do not have to choose between their four-legged family members and potential death.
The Phoenix recognizes that animals are valued members of families. The grounds contain an outbuilding to house cows, goats, rabbits, chickens and other animals. Cats and dogs are welcome in the residence itself. Not only do people find a secure, long-term home at the Phoenix, animals find a safe haven here, too.
COMMON AREAS
Each floor includes communal areas and social spaces.
A kitchen, dining area, and laundry facilities are available for guests.
Each floor has two separate rooms, each with five showers and five toilets.
Study area/play area for children is located in the residence.
KITCHEN
Three meals per day will prepared and cooked in our communal kitchen. The room will also be used for the dehydrated-borscht project. The kitchen is a beautiful space with electric, water and gas in working order, however it will go under major renovation and installation of new equipment.
SELF SUSTAINABILITY: FARMING
The majority of homes in eastern Ukraine have farms and gardens which were tended with love and care. The Phoenix will allow our residents to utilize their expertise in agriculture to grow crops, which will contribute to meals at the home and also support those in frontline areas through the borscht-kitchen initiative. In addition, a connection to nature as well as physical activity, have been shown to have a positive effect on those suffering from trauma.
EMPOWERMENT OF RESIDENTS:
CANDLE MAKING, BORSCHT, STEWARDSHIP
The Phoenix empowers and fosters self-determination for those who have lost control over their lives. Engaging in professional pursuits, maintaining regular schedules, and dividing responsibilities will enhance residents' mental well-being by creating a sense of commu- nity, ownership, and normalcy. Additionally, activities focused on the 'power of giving' and making a positive impact on others' lives further support healing, boost self-esteem, and provide a sense of purpose.
Candles and dehydrated borscht will be made onsite to provide aid to frontline regions.
A candle-making industry will support frontline areas, providing cooking heat and light where electricity is unavailable.
A dehydrated-food kitchen will supply nutritious meals to areas without power. This borscht-soup meal only requires the addition of hot water to prepare.
Ingredients will be donated or grown onsite, and the dehydration and packing will be done by residents. Our partners will handle the shipping and distribution of aid to affected regions.
We will create a friendly atmosphere around the residence and encourage engagement in communal cooking, cleaning, farming, child care and various volunteer activities.
EMPLOYMENT / INCOME EARNING
A manufacturing program will be developed to create onsite work opportunities for our residents. This program will produce cultural clothing such as vyshivankas, patches, and embroidered products, which will be sold via an online marketplace. The program will be planned and managed by the residents.
EDUCATION; CHILDREN’S DAYCARE, PRE-SCHOOL, AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Children under six-years old will participate in an onsite pre-school/ kindergarten run by residents and volunteers. School-aged children will attend local classes in the adjoining village unless extenuating circumstances apply.
Science fairs, arts program (choir, band, theatre, culinary arts), basic life skills courses and physical education will be organised.
International professionals from a variety of fields will be invited to speak to students about career opportunities.
ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Vocational training in a variety of fields will be offered to our adult residents. Our residents will also have the opportunity to attend workshops on developing job search skills, and receive group and individual career counselling.
The Phoenix will offer training programs to help enhance our residents' employability, increase their earning potential, and adapt to a changing job market.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
MEDICAL, DENTAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, VETERINARY
A mobile medical clinic will visit weekly providing basic care. A hospital and clinics are also located in the adjoining village with larger medical facilities located an hour-drive away in Lviv.
A free dental clinic will be available for Phoenix residents and those in the nearby village. Materials will be provided by Dental EMT.
A free veterinarian service will be available for Phoenix and village residents’ pets and farm animals.
Once the shelter is established and functioning, we will open our rehabilitation center in partnership with an esteemed psychological organization. We will offer in-patient services focused on the treatment of PTSD in various populations.
The rehabilitation center will have separate living spaces apart from the primary population. Security and safety teams will be present and monitor the participants at all times to ensure the safety of all involved.
