Draft:The City of Goodness

Misto Dobra (The City of Goodness)

The City of Goodness (in Ukrainian, “Misto Dobra”) is the largest shelter in Ukraine, providing free accommodation and comprehensive support to women, children, elderly people, and rescued animals. Established in 2020, the shelter operates solely on donations and assists those affected by war, domestic violence, or difficult life circumstances. The shelter can accommodate up to 400 people and 35 animals at the same time.

This image depicts a section of the City of Goodness (Misto Dobra) complex, including residential buildings and a playground. The buildings, designed to offer a safe and supportive environment for its residents, feature modern architecture and bright murals. The playground, enclosed by colorful fencing, provides a safe area for children to play, while surrounding green spaces and benches create a peaceful and community-oriented setting

History

The City of Goodness emerged from the need to create a safe space for women and children suffering from the effects of domestic violence, poverty, or war. The organisation dates back to 2016 when Marta Levchenko, appalled by the number of unresolved social problems in her country, decided to realise her dream of creating a place of shelter.

The project's initial steps involved helping women who needed to place their children in orphanages because of domestic violence, homelessness, or economic hardship. However, Marta Levchenko and her team quickly realised that without addressing essential needs and creating a safe environment, the effectiveness of their help would be limited. This meant establishing a more structured space that would offer not just temporary shelter but also comprehensive support.

Chronology

• 2016: The City of Goodness began activities in a rented building. This was the first attempt to create a refuge for those in need, although resources and opportunities were initially limited. The shelter was named "Marta's Dream."
• 2017: The organisation purchased its first plot of land to build a permanent shelter. This was an important step in the City of Goodness's development, allowing it to transition from temporary solutions to long-term plans.
• 2018: Construction of the new shelter began. This was critical to ensuring that the basic needs of those receiving assistance could be met in a more stable and comfortable environment.
• 2020: the City of Goodness officially opened its doors. This marked an important milestone in the organisation’s history, enabling it to provide help on a much larger scale.
• 2022: Work began on new buildings for evacuated children from orphanages. Because of the war and related emergencies, many more children were now in need.
• 2023: the City of Goodness established a Canine Therapy Center, a Women's Rights Protection Department, and a Medical Center with rehabilitation and palliative care departments.
• 2024: The "Mama Sews" Academy opened in the City of Goodness, offering women in difficult circumstances the opportunity to learn a profession while their children were cared for by nannies.
• Plans for 2025-2026: An inclusive school, which will provide educational opportunities for children with special needs, is planned — an important new step in the City of Goodness's development.

Founder

Marta Levchenko is a Ukrainian activist and the founder of City of Goodness. For 20 years, she has advocated for children's rights, helped them fulfil their dreams, and delivered hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid to the most remote corners of Ukraine. Her charitable organisation, "I am the Future of Ukraine," feeds hungry children, provides medical support, and creates educational opportunities for impoverished children. The City of Goodness is the biggest project of "I am the Future of Ukraine". Under her leadership, the organisation has grown from a small project into a large-scale help centre that annually supports hundreds of people.

This image features Marta Levchenko holding a baby born at the shelter, highlighting her nurturing role within the City of Goodness. The moment captures the warmth and care that characterises the environment, emphasising the connection between caregivers and the children they support. Marta’s presence symbolises the commitment to providing love and stability for every child, fostering a sense of family and community in the shelter.

Marta Levchenko is the recipient of the national award "Woman of Ukraine 2020" and "National Treasure 2022" and is listed among the top 100 leaders in the "Power of Women" ranking by Ukrainska Pravda.

Projects

Besides providing safe shelter to those in need, the City of Goodness implements numerous projects aimed at improving the lives of women, children, the elderly and animals under its care. Here are its biggest projects:

1. Medical Center with Rehabilitation and Palliative Care Departments—"Butterfly House": The medical centre provides a wide range of services, including palliative care and rehabilitation for children with severe illnesses. In addition to medical services, it offers physical therapy, life-improvement activities, and psychological support.
2. Department for the Protection of Women's Rights: The department provides legal, psychological, and social support to women who have become victims of domestic violence. It collaborates with lawyers, psychologists, and social workers to ensure a comprehensive approach to protecting women's rights. The department offers consultations, assistance in obtaining legal documents, rehabilitation, and adaptation, as well as organising support programs and educational seminars for women.
3. "Mama Sews" Academy: This is a professional project helping women in difficult life circumstances to train as seamstresses. The academy provides structured training and practice, along with social support from the City of Goodness, including shelter, food, and childcare. The academy helps women become self-sufficient and secure a better future for themselves and their children.
4. Shelter for Dogs – "Tails" – and Canine Therapy Center: The dog shelter was established to provide refuge for dogs that have suffered human cruelty, including pets abandoned during wartime evacuations. The Canine Therapy Center creates a cycle of kindness and love between children and dogs: children learn to care for the animals, while the animals learn to trust humans. Canine therapy helps heal emotional wounds, reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes socialisation and overall well-being.
5. Mothers' School: The Mothers' School offers educational programs and training to help women raise their children, manage household budgets and develop personal skills. The programs improve parenting and self-sufficiency skills, positively impacting family life.
6. Gym: The gym offers a variety of activities for children and adults, promoting their physical development and improving overall health. It hosts yoga classes, gymnastics classes, acting classes, psychological training, and workshops. Regular gym activities help residents maintain physical activity and a healthy lifestyle as part of their therapy and personal growth.
7. Co-organiser of the "Bukovinian Dream" Festival: The "Bukovinian Dream" festival is held annually on the grounds of the City of Goodness. It is a charitable project organised by "I am the Future of Ukraine," aimed at fulfilling the dreams of children from low-income families, orphans and children with disabilities. Children from various regions of Ukraine come to the festival, where they receive gifts and participate in various events. A special feature is the fulfilment of wishes that children express in their letters to benefactors. In 2024, more than 500 children attended the festival.

This image showcases children participating in one of the celebrations at the City of Goodness. The joyful atmosphere is filled with laughter and excitement as the children engage in various activities, creating lasting memories. These celebrations foster a sense of community and belonging, providing children with moments of joy and connection amid their challenging circumstances. The vibrant setting highlights the commitment to nurturing the emotional well-being of every child in the shelter.

The City of Goodness continuously develops new projects and seeks opportunities for further growth. Many plans are still in the development stage. The organisation actively works on implementing new initiatives that improve the living conditions of residents and expand the range of services provided.

City of Goodness During the War

With the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the City of Goodness became one of the key centres for helping those affected by the war. In the first days after the Russian invasion, its team ensured the urgent evacuation of children from three orphanages located in active combat zones. To accommodate the children and their guardians, three new buildings with two bomb shelters were constructed, creating safe conditions for those who found refuge in the City of Goodness.

During the war, the City of Goodness has continued to provide not only shelter but also comprehensive support, from medical assistance to psychological rehabilitation. For children forced to leave their homes, a rehabilitation centre was established where they could receive help from the best specialists and recuperate after experiencing trauma.

In addition to helping people, the City of Goodness looks after animals rescued from frontline areas. The shelter has established a Canine Therapy Center, where dogs rescued from the war provide emotional support for children coping with psychological trauma.

The City of Goodness continues its mission of expansion and development, working on new projects and providing stable support for everyone in need during the country's most challenging period.

Safety Measures for Children at the City of Goodness

The safety of children in the City of Goodness is a priority, especially in times of war. The following measures have been implemented to ensure the protection of all residents:

• Bomb shelters: There are three bomb shelters in the City of Goodness built since the war started They are located directly in the buildings where the children and their guardians live, which allows for quick evacuation in case of air raids or other threats.
• Alert system: A modern warning system has been installed to promptly alert staff to any dangers, such as air raids or other military threats. This allows for quick evacuation of children to bomb shelters.
• Psychological support: In addition to physical security, qualified psychologists are on site to help children experiencing stress or anxiety due to the conflict. Psychological support is an integral part of security, as it allows children to cope with their experiences and adapt to new conditions.
• Regular training: Regular evacuation drills are conducted to ensure that children and staff are prepared for any emergency.

Funding

The City of Goodness operates solely on donations. Volunteers play a key role in the shelter's work, helping with childcare, organizing events and fundraising. Anyone can get involved.

Licences:

• The City of Goodness operates in accordance with the requirements of Ukrainian legislation, holding all necessary licences and certificates: Continuing professional development provider, registration number 1479
• In accordance with the order of the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control No. 216 dated 15.02.2025, a licence for the use of precursors was obtained.
• Decision of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 1603 dated 11.09.2023 on issuance of a licence to carry out medical practice.