“Life-saving, hope-delivering, resilience-reinforcing programs, services and essential humanitarian support for Ukraine’s displaced and refugee children – extraordinary young people in the cross-hairs of an out of control superpower…”

Irwin & Karen Redlener

UCAP and Joan Baez - the back story!

Ongoing Projects

UCAP’s rules of engagement

1. This crisis is an emergency and UCAP commits to acting rapidly and responsibly

2. Every program supported by UCAP is personally vetted by the Redleners and UCAP’s staff

3. Every grantee is accountable for funds received by UCAP

Our mission

Ukraine Children’s Action Project
Co-Founders Dr. Irwin Redlener & Karen Redlener

In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the lives of children are being disrupted and their future is increasingly put at risk. The Ukraine Children’s Action Project (UCAP) is working to ensure that all children in Ukraine have access to the vital resources they need to stay safe and secure in the face of war and devastation.

UCAP was established to assess and support the urgent needs of displaced children who have escaped from the full-scale Russian invasion that began on February 24, 2022. Since that time, nearly two-thirds of Ukraine’s children under age 15 have fled besieged areas in eastern regions of the nation. Many of these children have experienced severe trauma and face ongoing disruption to their education.

UCAP works with local officials, non-governmental organizations and national government officials in Ukraine and countries that are hosting Ukrainian refugees.

Our mission is to optimize the health, well-being and education of children who have been separated by war, with and without their families, from their homes and communities.

We have also expanded our reach to work with children in Ukraine who are impacted every day by the fear of missile and drone attacks, the lack of access to electricity, internet, and clean water and the growing unpredictability of their education. Besides direct grants and partnerships to assist and support Ukraine’s children, UCAP periodically serves in an advisory capacity to Ukraine’s governmental officials and policy makers.

Meet the Children

Educational Courses from UCAP

The Impact of Trauma and How It Affects Behavior and Learning: What Teachers Should Know is a web-based, interactive course developed by UCAP and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness of the Climate School, Columbia University.

The course takes a “trauma-informed education” approach. The concept of “trauma-informed education” provides information and tools to address the needs of children who have been traumatized – and whose behavior will often impede the flow of the classroom and/or a student’s learning.

UCAP Reports