A Humanitarian Volunteer Center was established on the territory of Odesa Food Market to coordinate aid and its rapid distribution.

With the support of the Odesa municipality, a center for displaced persons and IDPs was opened on the basis of school №117 — the future “Hostynna Khata” (Hospitable House).

The name “Hostynna Khata” was born from the main sense of the center: people who arrived in Odesa because of the war should feel hospitality, support, and humane treatment.

During the most active period, the center daily supported at least 600 IDP families, as well as Odesa residents in difficult life circumstances.

More than 80 volunteers joined the center’s work, the majority of whom were internally displaced persons themselves.

The name “Hostynna Khata” was registered as a trademark and became a recognized name for the volunteer center supporting IDPs in Odesa.

With the growing scale of aid, the volunteer initiative grew into CO ICF “Ukrainian Soul” for systematic work, transparent accounting, and partnerships.

In cooperation with the local authorities of Mykolaiv and Mykolaiv Oblast, more than 30 water purification stations were installed to provide people with access to drinking water.

During the first year of operation, the volunteer center delivered over 2 million kg of humanitarian aid to people. On certain days, the team received and sorted 6–7 trucks of cargo.

During the blackouts, “Nezlamna Khata” was opened at the center — a space with light, warmth, internet, workstations, a children’s corner, and support.

The foundation set a record in the National Register of Records of Ukraine in the category “The largest weight of humanitarian aid issued to war victims in Ukraine”.

The foundation began to actively develop the medical direction — the “Medychna Khata” project to support access of IDPs and vulnerable groups to medical care.

The educational direction “Osvitnia Khata — Palitra” was launched, offering courses for adults, retraining, and development of new professional skills.

“Hostynna Khata” continued its work in a new space located at: Odesa, 13 Vodoprovidna St, School №79.

The foundation established systematic distribution of medicines, medical devices, and equipment for medical institutions. Aid covered more than 10 regions of Ukraine, supporting 60+ medical institutions.

CO ICF “Ukrainian Soul” implements humanitarian, medical, social, educational, and crisis programs for IDPs, women, veterans, people with disabilities, communities, and medical institutions. About 95% of the foundation’s team are IDPs, and up to 25 people who started as volunteers now work in the foundation on staff positions.