СТЕЖКА ДОДОМУ

the “path home” women & children’s shelter, Odessa

The “Path Home” shelter provides refuge and assistance to women and children, orphans, internally displaced persons fleeing russian occupation and vulnerable populations suffering the worst impacts of russia’s aggression.

Many of the shelter residents are victims of sexual abuse by russian soldiers. Arriving traumatized, injured and/or pregnant, they receive immediate medical care and mental health services.

The shelter has its own garden and petite bakery, where the children help grow vegetables and bake bread and pastries for shelter residents and their neighbors in need.

A little pumpkin among a bunch of squashes!!

The women at the shelter volunteer in their community and help others in urgent need. When the Kakhovka dam flooded the Kherson region, many shelter residents rushed in to help with flood relief, aid delivery and evacuations.

The women participate in the daily operation of the shelter and receive continuing education with the aim to promote self-sufficiency and independence. When they are ready to live on their own, the shelter supports them by helping offset new housing costs, utilities and other expenses.

founder & principal

Olga Pogorela

Before the war, Olga was an attorney in the Odessa government. When russia invaded in 2022, she left her job and began managing the shelter in a full-time capacity.

A year and half later, she still runs it as a volunteer but has also returned to work as a civil deputy prosecutor in Odessa. She is a lecturer on military law in wartime conditions, an advanced SCUBA diver and an artist.