In difficult life circumstances, even basic needs such as access to medical care, possession of documents, or safe housing may become unavailable. In such situations, social support plays a decisive role. Anna’s story is one example of how social workers at the Dzherelo Centre in Lviv support a person in crisis and help gradually stabilize their life step by step.
Anna arrived in Lviv in her ninth month of pregnancy without being registered for medical care in Ukraine. In search of assistance, she turned to the Dzherelo Centre, where comprehensive support began immediately.
Recognizing urgent needs: “we had to act very quickly”
The woman was in the ninth month of pregnancy but had not been registered for medical care in Ukraine, and part of her medical documentation remained abroad.
“We collected all available information and saw that she was not under medical supervision. We had to act very quickly,” says social worker Inna Struk.
In addition to medical needs, specialists identified other challenges. On her way to Lviv, Anna lost her documents and, at an advanced stage of pregnancy, was unable to care for herself and her unborn child independently.
Professional support from registration to childbirth
The first step was to organize medical support. Centre specialists registered Anna for prenatal care, arranged appointments, and accompanied her to all visits. She later gave birth to a son at St. Anna’s Hospital.
After discharge, the work continued. Specialists helped her sign a declaration with a family doctor, arranged follow-up consultations, and continue to support her in caring for the newborn.
“This is her first child, so Anna experienced difficulties with breastfeeding. We visited a mammologist who helped establish the process,” says Inna Struk.
Social workers also provided clothing for the baby, helped collect parcels from the postal service, and arranged medical care for the mother due to postnatal complications.
What comes next?
After the child’s birth, the key task for specialists is restoring documents and securing social benefits. Due to the lost passport, Anna cannot obtain her child’s birth certificate and, consequently, cannot access state payments.
Centre staff have already scheduled her appointment with the migration service and are supporting her through the process of document restoration.
“Currently, the main tasks are restoring documents and securing all eligible social benefits,” Inna Struk summarizes.
Despite difficult circumstances, Anna is gradually regaining stability. She plans to remain in Lviv, find housing, and raise her child independently.
At the same time, even while needing support herself, she tries to help others. In her free time, she knits socks for soldiers. Anna recalls with a smile that she did not stop even during labor:
“I couldn’t stop… they were telling me I was already giving birth, and I was still finishing socks for the military.”
“At our Centre, social workers provide support to individuals and families facing difficult life circumstances. Our goal is to help overcome difficulties, restore stability, and find resources for further life,” emphasizes Zoreslava Liulchak, Director of the Dzherelo Centre for Social Services.
The Dzherelo team supports single parents, large and low-income families, as well as those who temporarily cannot cope with life challenges on their own. Specialists provide a wide range of social services: from counselling and representation of interests to crisis intervention, social support, adaptation, and reintegration.
Service locations
Our social work and psychological support specialists operate in different districts of the city:
- City centre – 10 Teatralna St.
- Sykhiv district – 66 Chervona Kalyna Ave.
- Shevchenkivskyi district – 11 V. Lypynskoho St.
- Lychakiv and Halytskyi districts – 67 K. Levytskoho St.
- Frankivskyi district – 85 H. Chuprynky St.
- Zaliznychnyi district – 34 I. Vyhovskoho St.
If you or someone you know needs help, simply call the Dzherelo contact centre at +380 97 400 22 88 or visit the nearest office – we will assist you.
