Hope in Every Season: Highlights from Our Life Centers in May
As another month comes to a close, we are grateful to pause and reflect on the many ways God has been moving through Save a Life International's Life Centers across Ukraine.
Even amid the ongoing challenges of war, economic uncertainty, displacement, and personal hardship, women and families continue to find hope, support, and community through the ministry of our Life Centers.
This month brought moments of growth, celebration, encouragement, and connection across our network. From mothers dreaming about their futures to the opening of a brand-new Life Center, May was filled with reminders that God is faithfully writing stories of hope.
By the Numbers: May 2026
Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story.
Throughout May, our Life Centers welcomed 433 new clients seeking support and guidance. Among them were 365 pregnant women and 171 mothers with children under one year old. A total of 219 clients visited Life Centers, while 370 women and families received practical assistance through our programs and outreach efforts.
We are especially thankful to celebrate 69 babies born during the month of May. Each birth represents a precious life and a mother who was supported, encouraged, and reminded that she did not have to walk her journey alone.
At the same time, we recognize that ministry is not always measured only in victories we can see. Our mission includes abortion prevention through counseling, education, practical support, and compassionate relationships. Every day, our teams walk alongside women facing difficult decisions, helping them understand their options and providing resources that empower them to choose life.
This month, despite the support offered, one mother chose abortion. While this news grieves our hearts, it also reminds us why this work remains so important. We ask you to join us in praying for this woman and her family. Pray that they would experience God's mercy, healing, comfort, and hope. Pray that they would know they are not beyond His love and that His grace remains available to them.
As followers of Christ, we celebrate life while also extending compassion to those who are hurting. Every person who walks through our doors deserves to encounter truth, love, and the hope found in Jesus.
We also rejoice that 343 women participated in our educational and support programs, and 52 individuals made decisions to follow Christ and are now attending church. These spiritual milestones remind us that the work of our Life Centers extends far beyond meeting physical needs. Lives are being transformed both practically and spiritually.
Our volunteers contributed an incredible 2,003 hours of service during the month, demonstrating Christ's love through countless acts of compassion and care.
Through the generosity of supporters, families also received:
- 4,791 pounds of clothing distributed to women and children in need
- 164 containers of vitamins
- 308 food packages
- 198 mailed parcels sent to families, including those in remote areas
- 114 baby boxes filled with essential supplies for mothers and newborns
Additionally, Life Center teams facilitated 34 small groups, conducted 34 home visits, and delivered 7 educational presentations in schools, helping young people learn about healthy relationships, life, personal responsibility, and family values. These numbers tell a story of lives touched, families strengthened, and communities impacted.
Dreaming Beyond Survival in Kamianets-Podilskyi
At Life Center Kamianets-Podilskyi, mothers participated in a special vision board activity focused on personal growth, dreams, and future goals.
For many women facing crisis pregnancies, financial difficulties, or the daily demands of caring for young children, life can become centered entirely on immediate needs and survival. It can be difficult to think beyond the challenges of today. This gathering created space for mothers to look ahead.
Together, they discussed their dreams, careers, hobbies, personal interests, and the goals they hope to achieve in the future. They cut out pictures, wrote down aspirations, and created visual reminders of the possibilities still ahead of them.
Most importantly, the women were reminded that motherhood is only one part of who they are.
While motherhood is a beautiful and important calling, God has also uniquely gifted each woman with talents, passions, and purpose. Every woman deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, pursue her interests, and invest in her future.
The atmosphere was filled with encouragement as mothers shared their hopes with one another and reflected on the plans God may have for their lives.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
A New Beginning in Voznesensk
One of the most exciting milestones this month was the opening of Life Center Voznesensk, the first Life Center in Mykolaiv oblast.
Located in southern Ukraine, Voznesensk became widely known during the early months of the full-scale war for its resistance against advancing Russian forces. Like many communities throughout Ukraine, the city has experienced the ongoing realities of war, uncertainty, and hardship. Now, a new chapter is beginning.
Life Center Voznesensk will provide practical assistance, emotional support, educational programs, life skills training, parenting support, mental health resources, and spiritual encouragement to pregnant women and mothers with young children facing difficult circumstances.
For many women, a Life Center becomes much more than a place to receive material aid. It becomes a safe space where they can ask questions, find community, receive counseling, build relationships, strengthen their faith, and encounter hope.
The opening of this center is especially meaningful because it represents another step toward Save a Life International's vision of seeing a Life Center established in every region of Ukraine.
We are deeply grateful to God and to the supporters whose generosity makes expansion possible. Through your partnership, hope continues to reach new communities across Ukraine.
Finding Joy Among the Tulips in Chernivtsi
Sometimes ministry looks like counseling sessions, parenting classes, or emergency assistance. Sometimes it looks like a day among beautiful flowers. This month, mothers and children from Life Center Chernivtsi enjoyed a beautiful outing to the tulip fields.
The day offered something many families desperately need: the opportunity to simply enjoy being together. While the outing may seem simple, moments like these carry tremendous significance.
Many women served through our Life Centers are carrying emotional burdens related to war, financial struggles, relationship difficulties, or unexpected pregnancies. Creating opportunities for joy, connection, and rest is an important part of caring for the whole person.
Throughout Scripture, we see that God values celebration, beauty, and community. Even in difficult seasons, He provides moments of refreshment that remind us of His goodness.
The smiles captured throughout the day were beautiful reminders that joy still exists, even in the midst of uncertainty.
Strength Through Community in Zaporizhzhia
In Zaporizhzhia, where air raid alerts and wartime realities remain a daily part of life, Life Center staff continue faithfully serving women and families.
This month, mothers gathered together to share experiences, encourage one another, and build meaningful connections. For many women, the challenges they face can feel isolating. Questions about pregnancy, parenting, finances, relationships, and the future often create anxiety and fear.
Yet healing often begins when people realize they are not alone.
Through honest conversations and mutual encouragement, mothers found strength in community. They listened to one another's stories, offered support, and discovered that others understand what they are facing.
The gathering served as a powerful reminder that one of the greatest gifts we can offer is simply walking alongside someone during a difficult season.
In a city that continues to endure tremendous challenges, the Life Center remains a place where women can find practical help, emotional support, friendship, and hope.
Strengthening Those Who Serve
While much of our work focuses on supporting women and families, May also included an important opportunity to care for the people serving on the front lines of ministry.
From May 9–12, Save a Life International held a spring staff retreat in the Lviv region of Ukraine. Every day, these dedicated staff members walk alongside women facing crisis pregnancies, displacement, financial hardship, trauma, and uncertainty. They provide practical assistance, emotional support, and spiritual encouragement while often carrying the weight of their own challenges and concerns.
The retreat created a valuable opportunity for rest, training, prayer, and fellowship. Throughout the four days, participants engaged in leadership discussions, administrative meetings, social work training, tactical medicine instruction, marketing workshops, and teaching sessions led by Oleksandr Oryshchyn. Teams also spent time discussing the growing needs they are seeing in their communities and how Life Centers can continue responding effectively.
Just as importantly, they spent time praying together, worshiping together, and encouraging one another.
"This retreat reminded me that each Life Center is part of a larger mission. It was encouraging to hear from other cities, learn new tools, and return to service with renewed strength."
Elina Brynza, Director of the Regional Network of Life Centers in Ukraine, reflected on the importance of the gathering:
"This retreat was very important for the Ukrainian team. It gave staff members time to receive training, discuss real needs in the centers, pray together, and support one another. When the team is strengthened, the women and families served by Life Centers receive better care."
Her words capture an important truth: caring for those who serve ultimately strengthens the ministry as a whole.
Thank You for Making This Possible
Every story shared this month points back to God's faithfulness and the generosity of people who make this ministry possible.
Because of your prayers, support, and partnership, babies are being born, mothers are finding encouragement, families are receiving practical help, volunteers are serving faithfully, and lives are being transformed through the Gospel.
As we look ahead to the months to come, we remain committed to serving women and families with compassion, practical assistance, life-affirming support, and the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Together, we are helping women choose life, supporting families in need, strengthening communities, and reminding people across Ukraine that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved by God.