An Open Day was recently held at LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB in Mykolaiv, a free correctional support center for children with autism spectrum disorder. The event brought together Nova Ukraine CEO Ambassador Erin E. McKee, local government representatives, and families raising children with autism spectrum disorder. Her visit underscored the importance of international partnerships in supporting Ukrainian children and families living and rebuilding their lives amid the ongoing war.
LEVCHYK is a Future for Ukraine initiative that has been supporting Ukrainian families raising children with autism spectrum disorder for more than three years. The first center opened in Lviv in 2023, followed by the launch of the Mykolaiv hub in October 2025. Since the project's inception, LEVCHYK has been supported by the project's patron, Vadym Stolar.
Today, the Mykolaiv hub serves 43 children, most of whom come from internally displaced families or families who relocated from frontline communities. Children receive free ABA therapy, sensory integration therapy, sessions with psychologists, speech therapists, and physical therapists, as well as art therapy.
Beyond correctional support, children also have opportunities to develop their creativity and safely explore the world around them. Recently, the hub opened a dedicated art therapy space and a therapeutic garden. Through creative activities, children learn to express their emotions, reduce stress, and discover new ways of interacting with the world, while caring for plants helps them better understand natural processes and provides additional opportunities for sensory development.
LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB in Mykolaiv became possible through the partnership between Future for Ukraine, the Mykolaiv City Council, and the U.S.-based nonprofit organization Nova Ukraine. The project's development has also been made possible thanks to the continued support of its patron, Vadym Stolar.
Nova Ukraine's grant made it possible to launch the Mykolaiv hub and ensure the sustainability of its correctional support program for 20 children with autism spectrum disorder over a nine-month period. Today, with Nova Ukraine's support, 52 children attend LEVCHYK in Lviv and 43 children receive services in Mykolaiv.
"The number of children in Mykolaiv who need this type of support exceeds 300. In Ukraine, correctional services are largely available only through private centers and are often too expensive for families living in frontline areas. No parent should ever have to choose between helping their child and meeting their family's basic needs. That is why the support of charitable organizations, donors, and patrons is so important. Together, we are building a system of support that ensures families do not have to face these challenges alone," said Olena Nikolaienko, President of Future for Ukraine (USA), Strategist, and Head of International Fundraising.
Nova Ukraine has been implementing humanitarian projects in Ukraine since 2014. Since the start of russia's full-scale invasion, the organization has provided assistance to more than 12 million Ukrainians, with total aid exceeding $180 million.
The Open Day provided an opportunity to showcase the work of LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB to international partner, local authorities, and families raising children with autism spectrum disorder.
On June 30, the center welcomed Ambassador Erin E. McKee, CEO of Nova Ukraine, a diplomat with more than 30 years of experience at the U.S. Department of State and former Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). During her tenure at USAID, she oversaw large-scale humanitarian assistance efforts for Ukraine and the region. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Erin McKee has visited Ukraine on numerous occasions to assess humanitarian needs and monitor the impact of international assistance firsthand.
"We immediately supported the idea of opening LEVCHYK in Mykolaiv. Families raising children with autism spectrum disorder in a frontline city need professional support to help them cope with the anxiety, fear, and other consequences of war while continuing their children's development. Together with our partner, Future for Ukraine, we are already working toward opening a similar center in Kharkiv. We are also exploring opportunities to expand access to correctional support for even more children in Mykolaiv," said Ambassador Erin E. McKee, CEO of Nova Ukraine.
During the visit, guests met with the LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB team, learned about the center's correctional support approaches, and observed therapy sessions. The Open Day was also attended by Vitalii Lukov, Deputy Mayor of Mykolaiv, representatives of Future for Ukraine, and local families, who had the opportunity to see firsthand how the center supports children and their parents.
For Mykolaiv, a city that continues to live and recover despite the ongoing war, LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB is more than a correctional support center. It is a place of support for families and another powerful example of how international partners continue to stand with Ukraine and its children.
For Reference
LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB in Mykolaiv is located at 50-A 12th Povzdovzhnia Street, Mykolaiv.
Families can apply for the program through the project's website.
