Love heals through
Educational Outreach
Program Basics: We meet orphanage graduates at our city’s trade schools and social dorms. These youth are new to the city and independent life. We bring life skills classes to their schools, invite them to youth meetings, and develop trust relationships.
Vlad was in state care from infancy, and landed in the same prison where he’d been born. In 2017, he was released, alone and covered in prison tattoos. We met him during life skills lessons. At Last Bell, he connected with people easily. When his criminal “friends” came calling, Vlad chose his new life instead. This year, we helped Vlad acquire housing and a good job. He’s not afraid of his past, and has hope for the future!
• Over 1400 meals served
• In 2018, 27 orphans graduated from college or university
Love heals through
Stop the Cycle
Program Basics: Services for orphan-led families. We advocate for orphan parents and offer parenting classes, groceries and supplies, crisis housing, and secondhand clothing.
In 2018, we sponsored a full year of the first MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group in our city.
When Natasha became pregnant as a teenager, her trade school kicked her out. When we met her, she was in a dilapidated, unsafe home she couldn’t afford to heat, about to lose custody of her baby. We welcomed her to our crisis housing facility and offered practical help. Natasha finished high school, and she’s studying to be a hairdresser. She became a Christian and volunteers at church. Enveloped in our loving community, Natasha is a happy mom who doesn’t consider herself an orphan anymore!
• In 2018, 40 families received help through STC
• 7 participants were baptized and became church members
Love heals through
The Restoration Project
Program Basics: Meets two needs: housing and job skills. A crew of orphanage graduates apprentices with our staff, learning the home renovation trade while restoring the homes of fellow orphans.
In 2018, the RP crew learned how to build a house from the ground up.
We met Sasha at a social dorm. After school, Sasha tried several jobs without success. He’s now achieved two years working on the Restoration Project crew! Every day after work, Sasha rushes to the Day Center to spend time with staff and friends. Sasha volunteers by making free repairs, changing diapers for Stop the Cycle families, and helping with his sister’s child. Soon Sasha will be able to
get a job on the open market.
$55 = one day of construction materials for restoring orphans’ homes
Love heals through
meeting basic needs
• Mentorship
• Housing advocacy
• Emergency shelter and basic needs aid
• Educational planning and tutoring
• Life skills training and family support
• Vocational training opportunities
• Help with job search and work expectations
• Community and church connections
• Biblical marriage and trauma counseling
• Legal assistance and medical advocacy
Each orphanage graduate comes to us with unspoken problems, fears, and dreams. We “do life together,” advocating and helping with practical needs, whether a medical situation, legal trouble, or difficulty studying.
As former orphans mature and become more independent, we continue to be their support system – celebrating their successes, mourning with them in times of sadness and grief, checking in regularly, and acting as extended family.
Love heals…
…and brings “hope and a future.” This year, our staff reimagined the lyrics of a popular song. At youth meetings, you can hear many orphanage graduates singing, “You have a future!” Watch for a special recording at Christmas.
After generations of trauma, God is bringing healing and hope to orphanage graduates and their families in Zhytomyr. Will you help us express God’s love to orphans through a financial gift?
Last Bell Ministries
PO Box 30671
Indianapolis, IN 46230