{"id":459,"date":"2024-11-14T13:17:40","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T13:17:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/caritas.test\/?post_type=program&p=459"},"modified":"2026-03-05T19:44:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T19:44:11","slug":"volunteering","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/www.caritas-che.com.ua\/en\/programs\/volunteering\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteering"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Volunteering at Caritas <\/div>\n
Volunteering is the language of the heart \u2764\ufe0f <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
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10,135+<\/div>\n
volunteers involved to date* <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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1,650<\/div>\n
of them joined in 2024 <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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4,544<\/div>\n
(42%) are regular volunteers
(involved more than 4 times) <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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32%<\/div>\n
are internally displaced
persons (IDPs) <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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391<\/div>\n
volunteers became employees <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\"\"Caritas is a network of charitable organizations founded by the Church.<\/p>\n

Its mission is to foster traditions of charitable work and carry out social activities based on Christian moral and ethical values.<\/p>\n

Caritas provides assistance to those in need, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, or age, guided by Christian values.<\/p>\n

Volunteer work is an integral part of Caritas’ efforts. Every year, local organizations engage volunteers in charitable activities, provide targeted assistance to the needy, expert support, and spiritual care.<\/p>\n

Volunteers help Caritas staff deliver higher-quality services, reach more beneficiaries and partners, and launch initiatives in new regions.<\/p>\n

With the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, volunteer development within the Caritas Ukraine network began to grow rapidly. Before 2022, the Caritas Ukraine network involved around 600 volunteers, whereas between 2022 and 2024, the numbers increased significantly, and Caritas Ukraine has engaged over 10,000 volunteers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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\n By creating volunteer spaces in each of our local organizations, we are building a network that serves as the foundation for future positive changes in communities and across Ukraine.\r\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
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Volunteer
age distribution <\/div>\n
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50%<\/div>\n
50% are young people
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30%<\/div>\n
30% are people
\u2028aged 35 to 50<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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13%<\/div>\n
13% are people
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Goal<\/span> of the volunteer program<\/h2>\n

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The Caritas Ukraine network actively develops the volunteer movement, opening new opportunities for those wishing to join. Our goal is for each volunteer to have the opportunity not only to provide assistance, but also to leave a lasting positive mark on the lives of those to whom they give their time and attention. Through continuous improvement of training, support, and development programs for volunteer initiatives, we aim to create conditions that foster positive change in the lives of Ukrainians and contribute to improving well-being and solidarity.<\/p>\n

Social service, which systematically works with volunteers, not only reinforces the values of compassion and love but also encourages everyone to take responsibility for their community and environment.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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Our goal<\/b> is to ensure the sustainable development of volunteering within our network. Our strategic<\/b> objective is to promote a culture of volunteering in communities. To achieve this, we strive to make local Caritas organizations a center and platform for developing volunteer initiatives and collaborating with other organizations. Through joint work, coordination, experience exchange, and shared growth, we aim to contribute to positive changes in civil society through volunteer service.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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\n By creating volunteer spaces in each of our local organizations, we are building a network that serves\u2028as the foundation for future positive changes\u2028in communities and across Ukraine. <\/div>\n
\n \n \u2192 Contact Us<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
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Volunteer work format<\/h2>\n

Caritas local organizations are responsible for direct volunteer management, including recruitment, task assignment, and community building.<\/p>\n

The general stages of working with volunteers are as follows:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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Work Planning<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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A request is formulated to determine what event or task requires volunteers. Volunteer coordinators create a profile for the volunteer suited to the specific task. For example, if physical labour is needed, the request will target men, and if working with children, prior teaching experience or a willingness to learn will be required, and so on.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Volunteer Recruitment<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Local Caritas organizations recruit volunteers for specific tasks or projects. Each Caritas local office maintains an internal communication chat for volunteers, where all volunteers associated with the organization and ready to help are connected. When volunteers are needed, an announcement is made in the chat describing the task and volunteer profile. Other platforms such as the local Caritas website, local social media groups, forums, media outlets, flyers, public speeches, and word-of-mouth may also be used to recruit volunteers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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Role of the national office<\/h2>\n

At the national level, we support local organizations<\/b> with a unified systematic approach, project development to finance volunteer coordinators at local organizations, and volunteer work management.<\/p>\n

Caritas Ukraine develops a systematic approach to organizing volunteer work:<\/b> methodological documents are created, common guidelines are established across the network, and recommendations for procedures (SOPs) within projects are developed. Every two weeks, volunteer coordinators hold meetings for synchronization.<\/p>\n

Our goal is to ensure the sustainable development of volunteering within our network.<\/b> As a result, almost every organization in our network now has a dedicated specialist responsible for volunteer work in various projects.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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What we do for volunteers?<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n To prevent volunteer burnout and encourage ongoing service, we organize spiritual and formation meetings across all local Caritas offices. These “renewal days” allow volunteers to recharge and refresh. More than 700 Caritas volunteers have participated in retreats. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n We prioritize the psychological and emotional well-being of volunteers by conducting biannual surveys on burnout levels and feedback on volunteer organization within local offices. This helps improve volunteer management and, when needed, involve psychologists to prevent burnout.\r\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n In July 2024, we organized the third All-Ukrainian Volunteer Pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia, with over 400 volunteers from 30 Caritas organizations participating. This pilgrimage served to restore unity and spiritual support among volunteers.\r\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n In May 2024, a meeting of volunteer coordinators was held in Truskavets, where coordinators exchanged experiences, supported one another, and strengthened collaboration. Such meetings are planned to be held at least once a year.\r\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n We focus on the professional growth of all volunteer coordinators in the network by introducing online training in volunteer management. This ensures that volunteer recruitment and management are conducted in a quality and professional manner, in line with the best global practices.\r\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
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Projects involving volunteers<\/h2>\n

Volunteer assistance is vital across all areas of Caritas’ work and in all regions. Volunteers are engaged in both crisis humanitarian response (primarily in eastern regions) and stabilization and development projects in regions further from the conflict zones.<\/p>\n

The largest number of volunteers is involved in four key areas:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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Event
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Sorting
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Working with
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EDistribution
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Regular volunteers also actively participate in children’s projects, activities for the elderly, and home care services.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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\n Do you have any questions about this program?\u2028Contact us right now! <\/div>\n
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Who can be a volunteer?<\/h2>\n

We welcome anyone willing to volunteer. There are no age, gender, or capacity restrictions for volunteers.<\/span> There is always a type of activity that suits everyone\u2019s abilities without being overly burdensome.<\/p>\n

The only legal restriction is that volunteers must be at least 14 years old, and those between 14 and 18 years of age require parental consent to volunteer.<\/p>\n

13% of the network\u2019s volunteers are elderly people.<\/span> Seniors come to Caritas for companionship and a comfortable environment. They feel useful and benefit personally from the experience as well.<\/p>\n

Volunteers from abroad often join Caritas Ukraine\u2019s projects. Approximately ten Caritas organizations, primarily in western Ukraine, are open to international volunteering due to the security situation in the country.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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Value for society and individuals<\/h2>\n

The development of volunteer programs within Caritas is crucial not only for fulfilling our mission, but also for strengthening the communities where we work and for the personal growth of each volunteer.<\/p>\n

Volunteering is the foundation of civil society, fostering solidarity and strengthening communities.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n

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Volunteering
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\n Volunteering at Caritas is more than just social service; it resonates with each of us, regardless of faith or beliefs. “When you take, you fill your hand; when you give, you fill your heart” \u2014 Fr. Andriy Nahirnyak, Director of Identity and Network at Caritas Ukraine. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Volunteering
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\n Provides a wide range of social, medical, and psychological services, covering various levels of support for different population categories, including lonely individuals, people in difficult life circumstances, and those affected by war events <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Youth
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\n 50% of Caritas volunteers are young people aged 18-35 who actively participate in community building, using their skills and knowledge to contribute to society\u2019s well-being. <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n
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