ICF "Otchiy Dim" (Father's House)

ICF "Otchiy Dim" (Father's House) is an international charitable foundation based in Kyiv, Ukraine, dedicated to solving child homelessness by uniting churches, charitable and public organizations, and government bodies. Registered in 1999, the foundation grew out of street outreach work that began in 1996–1998, when volunteers visited homeless children, provided food and clothing, and eventually opened day shelters, charity canteens, and sanitation stations. Its founder, Roman Korniiko, initially took ten homeless children into his own apartment, later renting several apartments in Kyiv before obtaining premises for a former kindergarten. The foundation's mission is to protect children's right to a family, strengthen socially vulnerable families, support youth from orphan backgrounds, provide additional education and development, and engage in legal advocacy. It operates consultative-rehabilitation centers for families, promotes adoption and family-based care (guardianship, foster families, family-type orphanages), and assists graduates of boarding schools and other child institutions. Over the years, it has run numerous projects, including the summer tent camp "Treasure Island" (since 1998), the Child Social Care Center in Petrivske (2001–2011), the Family Education Center "My Family" (since 2003), the adoption support project "New Family" (since 2006), and the International Center for Development and Leadership (since 2007). The foundation has received recognition for its work, including praise from Kateryna Yushchenko, and its center was once named the best children's center in Eastern Europe by Council of Europe representatives. It continues to operate in Ukraine, adapting its programs to address the needs of children affected by conflict and social hardship.

The history of ICF "Otchiy Dim" (Father's House) begins in 1996–1998 with street outreach to homeless children in Kyiv. Volunteers brought food and clothing, built friendships, and organized day shelters, charity canteens, and sanitation stations where children could wash, get haircuts, treat wounds, and disinfect or replace clothing. Recognizing the need for a safe place to sleep and eat, founder Roman Korniiko took the first ten homeless children into his own apartment, later renting several apartments in Kyiv's Borshchahivka and Troieshchyna districts, and eventually obtained premises of a former kindergarten on the Left Bank. During this phase, about 4,105 children were helped and taken off the streets. In 1998, the first rehabilitation summer tent camp, "Treasure Island," opened for homeless children; it continues today, serving orphans, children deprived of parental care, children from families in difficult circumstances, and children of ATO participants. From 1998 to 2017, 1,365 children participated in the project. In 1999, the International Charitable Foundation (ICF) "Otchiy Dim" was officially registered. An unfinished house was purchased in the village of Petrivske, Kyiv-Sviatoshyn district, to open a Child Social Care Center. In 2000, the President of Ukraine recognized child homelessness as a national problem. In 2001, the center was legally registered, construction completed, and children moved into their own building. Council of Europe representatives recognized the center as the best children's center in Eastern Europe. The center operated until the end of 2011, helping 244 children. In 2012, on its basis, the Kyiv Regional Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children "Otchiy Dim" was created using the established team and rehabilitation programs. Today, the possibility of restoring the Child Social Care Center is being considered to provide urgent placement for children removed from families in the Kyiv-Sviatoshyn district when their life or health is threatened. In 2002, the first adoption from Otchiy Dim took place. The Child Social Care Center was recognized as the best children's center in Ukraine. Construction began on a second house to work with children in a family atmosphere. From 2002 to 2006, the foundation spread its experience across the country by creating a Training Center. With its support, 24 children's centers were established in Ukraine, and 58 leaders were trained to work with at-risk children. This project led to the creation of the International Center for Development and Leadership in 2007, which became an independent international organization and remains a leader in training and retraining social workers in the country. In 2003, the first graduates left Otchiy Dim for independent adult life. The Family Education Center "My Family" was created, where from 2003 to 2014, 20 family groups cared for and fully supported 122 children. In 2004, the health and recreation program "Hope of the Pilgrim" began, and a holiday house was built in the village of Shtormove, Saky district, Crimea, along with a camp in Kerch. Summer vacations for children started in 2006 and ceased in 2014 due to the annexation of Crimea. In 2006, the adoption development and promotion project "New Family" was launched, providing free consultative and legal support to adoptive families. In 2015, the "Big Heart" club began within the project to support adopters, guardians, and foster parents. Today, 37 families (147 children) participate in the project. In 2007, the International Center for Development and Leadership (ICDL) was registered, growing into an independent international organization and a leader in training and retraining social workers. In 2008, a project to support graduates of boarding schools and other child institutions was initiated, continuing the foundation's commitment to vulnerable youth.

• 2015

  "Big Heart" club for adopters, guardians, and foster parents begins within "New Family" project.

• 2014

  Summer vacations in Crimea cease due to annexation.

• 2012

  Kyiv Regional Center for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children "Otchiy Dim" created on the basis of the former Child Social Care Center.

• 2007

  International Center for Development and Leadership (ICDL) registered.

• 2006

  Adoption support project "New Family" launched.

• 2004

  Health and recreation program "Hope of the Pilgrim" begins.

• 2003

  Family Education Center "My Family" created; first graduates leave for independent life.

• 2002

  First adoption from Otchiy Dim; center recognized as best in Ukraine.

• 2001

  Child Social Care Center in Petrivske legally registered and opened; recognized as best children's center in Eastern Europe.

• 1999

  International Charitable Foundation "Otchiy Dim" officially registered.

• 1998

  First rehabilitation summer tent camp "Treasure Island" opens.

• 1996

  Street outreach to homeless children begins in Kyiv.

A faith-based charitable foundation addressing child homelessness through comprehensive social, legal, and medical support, and promoting family-based care in Ukraine.

• Child Social Care Center

  A residential center for homeless children in Petrivske, operated from 2001 to 2011, helping 244 children.

• Family Education Center "My Family"

  A center for family-based care, with 20 family groups caring for 122 children from 2003 to 2014.

• Summer tent camp "Treasure Island"

  A rehabilitation camp for homeless and at-risk children, operating since 1998; 1,365 participants from 1998 to 2017.

• Adoption support project "New Family"

  Provides free consultative and legal support to adoptive families; 37 families (147 children) currently participate.

• International Center for Development and Leadership (ICDL)

  An independent international organization for training and retraining social workers, established in 2007.

1. 1ICF "Otchiy Dim" (Father's House) - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Міжнародна благодійна фундація «Отчий дім» - Wikipediauk.wikipedia.org