Care in Action e.V.
managed by J. Lehnis
About us
We improve the lives and opportunities of vulnerable children.
Our vision is to ensure the most vulnerable children receive the support they need to improve their wellbeing, develop their potential and succeed at leading a self-determined, independent life.
Our objectives are to help vulnerable children overcome trauma, get the knowledge and skills they need to thrive, and enable them to positively integrate into society. We believe by doing this, we are providing the children we support – in both Ukraine and Malawi – with the best chance to lead a self-determined adult life.
We put the child at the centre of everything we do. We take a holistic approach that directly helps the individual child and supports carers to improve their environment. By partnering with others, we’re able to make a greater, more sustainable difference.
Care in Action e.V. has been active since 1998, registered in Munich, Germany, and works with "Turbota v Dii" registered in Lviv, Ukraine
Latest project news
Help Strengthen Foster Families in Dnipro
Children who have experienced neglect, loss, or separation from their biological parents need more than a safe home. They need caregivers who understand them, provide stability, and support them throughout their journey. To enable foster and adoptive parents to fulfill this important role, they also need support.
That is why we aim to raise €556 to continue the therapist-led online peer support groups for foster and adoptive families in the Dnipro region. Care in Action regularly offers online peer support groups for foster and adoptive parents, facilitated by professional therapists. These groups provide a safe space where parents can share experiences, discuss challenges, and develop solutions together.
Our Impact in 2025 at a Glance:
The regular meetings provide significant relief for families. Parents learn to better understand the effects of traumatic experiences and respond appropriately to difficult situations. This leads to greater stability in daily family life, fewer conflicts, and stronger relationships between parents and children.
Alona’s Journey Toward Greater Security and Trust
Alona adopted two children. Together with them, she receives psychological counseling and regularly participates in our online peer support groups for adoptive and foster parents.
Like many parents of children with difficult past experiences, Alona faced major challenges. The children frequently had intense emotional outbursts, struggled to adapt to their new environment, and often displayed contradictory behavior. At the same time, Alona repeatedly doubted herself and wondered whether she was doing enough for her children as a mother.
Together with the therapist and other parents, she learned to view her children's behavior from a new perspective. Rather than focusing on “problematic behavior,” attention shifted to the children's underlying needs. Alona learned to respond calmly and consistently, adapt her expectations to each child's individual pace, and recognize her own limits and sources of stress.
An important aspect of the group work was addressing difficult thoughts such as, “I am not a good mother.” Through exchanging experiences with other parents, receiving professional guidance, and developing greater self-compassion, Alona gradually built stronger confidence in her own abilities.
Greater Stability for the Whole Family
The support had a clear impact:
Parents gained greater confidence in their caregiving role. Feelings of guilt and anxiety were reduced. Understanding of the causes behind the children's behavior increased. Family conflicts decreased. Relationships between parents and children became more stable and trusting.
Today, Alona experiences family life with much less stress. She can respond to her children's needs with empathy and consistency while maintaining her own emotional balance.
Support During Difficult Times
We also support foster and adoptive families in the Dnipro region. The area continues to be heavily affected by the war and regularly experiences attacks on its energy infrastructure. This month, we were able to provide two families from our support groups with donated electricity generators.
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In this way, we combine practical assistance with psychosocial support and professional guidance—helping families provide children with a safe and loving home even under challenging circumstances.
One participant in our groups describes the support this way:
“The support groups have helped me greatly in my work as an emergency foster mother. I have learned to better understand traumatized children and to communicate with them calmly and compassionately.”
With Your Help, We Can Continue
We need €556 to continue the online peer support groups for foster and adoptive families in Dnipro. This will fund the professional facilitation of the groups by qualified therapists and provide a safe space where parents can find support, knowledge, and encouragement.
Every donation helps strengthen families and gives children who have already experienced so much the stability, security, and new opportunities they deserve.
