After almost a decade of visiting Mariupol School Orphanage #1, a group of Christians decided it was time to do something on a more permanent basis to meet the needs of orphans as they were sent out from the orphanage. As these teenagers reached 9th grade, they were faced with the uncertainty of life and where they would go. Equipped with no skills for life, let alone skills which would enable them to get a job.

After completing 9th grade, the teenagers were sent out from the orphanage. Many were sent to trade school, but were unable to keep up with the pace of studies and providing for themselves. The result was an annual group of children struggling to survive. This wasn’t just in Mariupol but was a nationwide problem across Ukraine.

In 2004, Andrew Kelly moved to Ukraine and opened the Transitional Living Center in Mariupol. Set among the primary goals of the center is the creation and development of a Christian-based program designed especially to assist orphanage graduates as they make the difficult transition from dependent orphanage care to independent adult living. In working toward this goal, the center seeks to provide a traditional home setting, with caring adult role models and comfortable living quarters for 12-15 teenagers on an annual basis.

Additional primary goals (in no particular order) for the center are to:

• Provide a loving, safe living environment where the children know they are loved and have the opportunity to heal emotionally
• Provide role models and examples of Godly, independent living by a mature, Christian, Ukrainian staff
• Foster long-term relationships with adult mentors (key words: consistent & committed)
• Provide Biblical education and discipling
• Provide instruction in social and independent living skills (including: cooking, shopping, cleaning, time & money management, etiquette, etc.)
• Provide orphanage graduates with skills that will make them employable within the community by being enrolled in a nearby technical or trade school to continue their education.

At the time these young adults complete their trade school education, the desire of the staff of the center will be to assist these young adults in establishing their own identity within the community. When ready to begin living on their own or with a roommate, the staff will assist them in locating an apartment and getting them settled. Graduates will also be assisted with finding employment so that they can become productive, hopefully Christian, citizens of their society.

Sponsor a Teen Living in our Transitional Living Center
Each fall, approximately 6 new teens move into our TLC. It costs Jeremiah’s Hope an average of $300 a month to meet the needs of one teenager. That

amount goes towards rent of the facility, utitlities, clothing, medical needs of the children, educational supplies, tutoring (if needed), food, staff salaries, etc. If you would like to sponsor a teenager, you can support them for as little as $25 a month. Please contact us at donations@jeremiahshope.org to find out how you can sponsor a child!