The war has changed the life of every conscious Ukrainian: hundreds of brave defenders have joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are pushing back the enemy, others support, donate and care for the rehabilitation and psychological relief of warriors who have returned from the front.

The Drohobych community took a clear position from the first days of the war: more than 5,000 of our fellow citizens are fighting at the front - 150 of them are women. Already 205 Heroes have forever joined the ranks of the Heavenly Army, giving their lives for freedom, 170 are considered missing, and 7 are in captivity. 133 defenders have received disability as a result of the war.

The return home of defenders does not mean the end of the struggle. Veterans often face physical and psychological consequences, emotional burnout and social isolation. Military personnel should not be left alone with these challenges, as this will only deepen their conditions.

In support of warriors, in the Drohobych community, this year an important social project is being implemented - the creation of a Veterans Space Center of the community.

Veterans Space is a team of specialists who are called to professionally deal with supporting veterans, male and female participants in combat operations, their relatives, families of the fallen and missing. The Center will be a remote branch of the Communal Non-Profit Enterprise "Drohobych City Hospital No. 1".

The creation of veterans space pursues the main goal - comprehensive support and adaptation of veterans for reintegration, unity and development after returning from war. The center will combine medical, rehabilitation, social and educational services and initiatives.

After all, people who participated in the defense of Ukraine should feel respect, care and full support of society in their native city.

At the center, veterans will receive:

• medical, psychological, legal assistance and rehabilitation, as well as social assistance;
• adaptive sports and physical activities;
• adaptation and educational events will take place;
• a new environment will be formed where veterans are not patients, but active community participants;
• the center will be a place for families, joint events, and quiet conversations about intimate matters.
• unite the community and stimulate the unification of other social groups, showing an example of interaction and support for veterans within this project.

The Veterans Space in the Drohobych community was founded by the NGO "Cozy City" in cooperation with the Drohobych City Council and specifically the department of social-psychological, legal support and interaction with defenders and members of their families of the City Council, as well as the Communal Non-Profit Enterprise "Drohobych City Hospital No. 1" and its departments.

*All photos provided by the charitable community "Volunteers Circle of Kindness"