The Florence Centre

What is The Florence Centre?

The Florence Centre is a unique community development program located in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Until recent times, families who once kept their children at home, ashamed of their disabilities, had a place to gather for support. University students who came to the Florence Centre to do their social work practicums found their lives were impacted positively as they interacted with the community. Communitas, in connection with Canada Ukraine Agrarian Development Inc., has partnered with The Florence Centre since 2007.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has had an enormous impact on these services.

Lucy Romanankova, director of the Florence Centre, says the needs in her community are great and their work could not be done without the support they receive through Communitas. Lucy and her team have had to pivot multiple times to support families both within Zaporizhzhia, as well as displaced families living outside of Ukraine.

While the future seems bleak for Ukrainians, Lucy continues to cling to hope. All of their services are currently being offered virtually, and in-person services are temporarily on hold.

“We continue to work and offer services as best we can,” Lucy says. “By helping others, we help ourselves.”

Who is The Florence Centre for?

The Florence Centre is committed to education and support of children, adults and families dealing with disabilities, abuse, addiction and mental health issues.

The Florence Centre addresses the difficult challenges in its community through several projects including:

• Workshops on bullying for high school students
• Addressing domestic violence issues
• Caregiver professional development and support
• Parents’ support club
• Seniors’ support club
• Educational resources for clients and personnel
• Counselling services
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) educational presentations