At 24, I moved to South Sudan to work with orphaned and neglected children. Those were some of the best years of my life. I especially connected with the teenagers — many had faced unimaginable trauma, yet they still carried dreams, joy, and hope for the future.

My heart is now with Ukraine — my homeland.

Since russia's full-scale invasion, UNICEF estimates that over 20% of Ukrainian children have been directly traumatized by war, and psychologists across the country are seeing a sharp rise in anxiety and PTSD in children and teens.

I don’t believe trauma has to define their future.

Kids of Ukraine is an organization I’ve known personally since 2023. Based in Ukraine, they work directly with adolescents to help them heal and rebuild through proven tools:

• Professional psychotherapy

• Art therapy and creative workshops

• Financial literacy programs

• High-quality extracurricular education

• Support groups for parents

…and more.

They’re doing incredible work. But they need our help.

To remain operational, they need to raise $75,000 by the end of 2025. So, this October, I’m hiking 75 miles in 5 days through Glacier National Park, Montana. I'll post daily photo and video updates of mileage hiked and sites seen (likely bears, as I hear they are everywhere!)

Would you consider sponsoring my trek? Every amount (tax deductible) helps Ukraine’s youth reclaim their future — with hope, strength, and resilience.

Thank you for reading and for your support. Glory to Ukraine! Slava Ukraini! 💙💛