History of development

In 1999, a group of activists created the first self-help group for HIV-positive people in Poltava and registered their work as the Charitable Association for Assistance to HIV-infected and AIDS patients “Light of Hope.”

The next few years were devoted to establishing partnerships for the further development of the PLHIV movement, which included working with IDUs and their close circle.

In 2003, the Association was one of the first in Ukraine to launch ART programs for PLHIV. Three years later, with the assistance of Light of Hope, a substitution therapy program was launched in Poltava region, and a year later, a full range of services based on the “universal” principle was already available to IDUs and PLWH. Subsequently, both the range of services provided and the number of target groups assisted by the organization gradually expanded.

The organization provides social support to HIV-infected pregnant women and children, clients with triple problems (IDUs/PLWHA/TB), and has also launched comprehensive work with convicts infected with viral hepatitis C. In 2014, the Association changed its charter and began operating as the Light of Hope Charitable Organization.

We also act as a resource center and share successful practices with other NGOs in Ukraine, cooperating with state institutions to improve the social sphere in Poltava region and bring it closer to European standards.

Areas of activity

Consulting Center

The goal of this division is to increase the capacity of non-governmental organizations working in the field of public health. Having gained positive experience in NGO management, implementation of medical and social programs, and building effective cooperation with local authorities, we began to share it with partner NGOs.
Areas of activity:
· NGO management
· Public health
· Social protection
· Interaction with local authorities
· Media
· Social entrepreneurship
· Human rights
· Social services
· Penitentiary system
· Gender issues

Social Support Center
The social support service aims to effectively combat the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis by providing comprehensive professional assistance to clients. Social support is provided on a case management basis.
Healthcare facilities where our social workers are employed:
– Poltava Regional Center for HIV Prevention and AIDS Control;
– Poltava Regional Narcological Dispensary;
– Poltava Regional Clinical Tuberculosis Dispensary;
– Poltava Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Services:
– building commitment to ART;
– social support for patients with tuberculosis (including multidrug-resistant tuberculosis);
– social support for patients with viral hepatitis C;
– social support for convicts (including HIV-positive individuals);
– promoting the resocialization of convicts (life skills course in five correctional facilities in the Poltava region).

Adaptation Center for Homeless Individuals and Individuals Released from Prison

Goal: To create an effective social adaptation system by providing comprehensive assistance to vulnerable groups of the population, which will help them adapt to the social environment as quickly as possible.
The center operates around the clock.
Target groups:
– homeless people,
– people released from prison,
– internally displaced persons,
– people in difficult life circumstances,
– mothers with children and pregnant women.
Services:
– temporary accommodation,
– hot meals;
– showers and laundry;
– clothing bank;
– services of the Center for Registration of Homeless Persons;
– assistance in restoring documents, social benefits, and employment;
– social support;
– registration with the D-account.

Training and Production Center

Mission – to develop the socio-economic well-being of communities by improving access to education, vocational training, and employment for socially vulnerable groups.
The institution has two main objectives:
1. Developing the economic capacity of clients:
– training in the professions of “sewing” and “carpentry” and subsequent employment (in its own production or in cooperation with partners and the employment service);
2. Supporting socially significant programs by selling its own products, with part of the profits going to finance social projects.
Target groups:
– clients of the Adaptation Center,
– people released from prison,
– internally displaced persons,
– people in difficult life circumstances.

Center for women in difficult life circumstances
The goal of the Crisis Center is to reintegrate women into society by providing comprehensive supported living services, returning them to an independent and fulfilling life, and conducting social work aimed at overcoming negative phenomena.
Tasks:
– providing comprehensive assistance to women in difficult life circumstances;
– reducing the rate of recidivism;
– Providing social services to the Center’s clients, taking into account individual needs and gender approaches;
– Promoting the preservation of women’s reproductive health, restoration, and development of maternal skills;
– Providing clients with temporary housing;
– Promoting the social reintegration of internal