On May 10th, over Mother’s Day weekend, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) Branch #56 will sponsor a local observance of “Praying for Children,” what has become an annual event to support Ukraine’s children. The upcoming event—titled “A Time to Pray for the Children of Ukraine and Their Mothers”—also extends to honor the strength and resilience of Ukrainian mothers, who must remain hopeful and steadfast for their children amid the hardships of war.
This gathering is one of many to take place across the country this season. It offers a meaningful opportunity to bring people together in prayer, reflection, and solidarity to support the children of Ukraine and their mothers.
You don’t have to be Ukrainian to take part—just someone who cares. Read on to get details about the upcoming event and how you can bring a similar event to your own parish or community.
A Gathering of Hope and Solidarity
The upcoming “A Time to Pray for the Children of Ukraine and Their Mothers” observance invites the community to come together in shared reflection, compassion, and quiet strength. All are welcome and encouraged to attend—whether parishioners, local residents, or those visiting the area.
Shown above San Pedro Roman Cahtolic Church
The special prayer service will take place on Saturday, May 10, at 11:00 AM at San Pedro Roman Catholic Church (14380 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL) and there is no cost to attend. The interfaith Moleben service, conducted in English, will be led by Father Dmytro Kasiyan of St. Mary’s Catholic Church (North Port, Florida), who has invited priests and pastors from other local churches to participate. Musical performances by Ukrainian youth and the Svitanok Children’s Choir will add a moving and emotional dimension to the service.
Click the event flyer below to download details and read on to fully grasp the gravity of the war in Ukraine, specifically the impact on children.
Also, read on to learn how you can take part by initiating a “Pray for Children” service in your own community.
The Children of War: Innocence Lost
The war in Ukraine has left deep and lasting scars on Ukraine’s children—emotionally, physically, and psychologically. These are not just statistics; behind every number is a child whose world has been shattered. Thousands of children have lost parents, their homes, and any sense of security. Thousands more have been displaced—living far from where they were born, surrounded by fear and uncertainty. Thousands more have been abducted and taken to Russian-controlled areas. And thousands more have been injured or killed. The toll on Ukraine’s children is not only staggering—it is heartbreaking. UNWLA has compiled the following information in its fact sheet.
- According to UNICEF, as of February 21, 2025, at least 669 children have been killed, and 1,854 have been injured. The number of child casualties rose by 54% in 2024 over the previous year.
- An estimated 5.1 million Ukrainian children have been displaced from their homes since the 2022 full-scale invasion (Children of War Portal).
- Sixteen known cases of sexual abuse of children have been formally documented by Ukraine’s Prosecutor General (Children of War Portal).
- According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science, approximately 4,000 educational facilities have been damaged or destroyed since 2022, disrupting millions of students’ learning.
Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) has also documented in its March 17, 2025 Fact Sheet: Russia’s Kidnapping and Re-education of Ukraine’s Children heartbreaking evidence regarding the fate of Ukraine’s children—some as young as four months old, up to 17 years of age. Yale HRL has identified:
- More than 19,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia. Only 1,236 have been successfully returned to Ukraine. The true number of children still remaining in Russia is likely much higher.
- More than 8,400 children who have been systematically relocated to at least 57 facilities—including 13 facilities in Belarus and 43 in Russia or Russian-occupied territories.
- Vulnerable groups of children—including orphans, children with disabilities, those from low-income families, and the children of Ukrainian soldiers—have been deliberately targeted for deportation.
-
There are documented cases in which children were physically abused, denied communication with their families in Ukraine, and given inadequate access to food and care after being taken to Russia.
-
Russia has refused to give Ukrainian authorities a list of children taken to Russia––as required by international law––and has engaged in various activities to conceal their forced deportation and illegal adoption of children from Ukraine.
As noted by Yale HRL and others, the abduction and forced relocation of Ukraine’s children constitute not only profound humanitarian violations but also clear breaches of international law and leave scars that will endure for generations.
The Lasting Wounds of War on Ukraine’s Children
The repercussions of the Russian invasion extend beyond the soldiers in the frontline trenches, engulfing civilians in villages and cities alike. Missiles on civilian targets have injured and killed children, decimated homes, schools, hospitals, and energy grids. As reported, children have been raped, kidnapped, left orphaned, forced into bomb shelters, had their education disrupted. The scars of these harrowing experiences have been devastating for Ukraine’s children and will have a lasting effect on their lives—for those who survive.
The impact of this war on Ukraine’s children is profound and lasting. It has robbed them of safety, stability, education, and in far too many cases, their very lives. For mothers, the heartbreak is unimaginable—raising children in the shadow of war and immense losses while trying to protect, comfort, and somehow preserve hope. These are not isolated tragedies; they are shared wounds felt by an entire nation.
“Prayer for Children” is one way communities can come together in solidarity to stand united in compassion and support for the children of Ukraine and their mothers.
Be the Catalyst: Bring “Praying for Childfren” to Your Community
Through its “Children Praying for Children” campaign, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) invites individuals and communities across the country to stand in solidarity with Ukraine’s children and the mothers who fight to protect them. Launched in 2024 in response to the illegal abduction of Ukrainian children, the initiative has become an annual observance that is growing nationwide.
With the guidance of UNWLA, on or around June 1st—International Children’s Day—local communities across the United States gather in prayer for the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been impacted by the war. In its inaugural year, UNWLA and its partners organized more than a dozen events nationwide, including a flagship interfaith service at Ukraine House in Washington, D.C., co-hosted with the Embassy of Ukraine as part of the broader Return Ukraine’s Children initiative. Since then, Children Praying for Children has been embraced as a national campaign, open to any community organization wanting to stand with the children of Ukraine. Whether you’re part of a parish, school, community center, or cultural organization, you can help carry this message forward. Hosting your own observance is a powerful way to foster connection, inspire compassion, and ensure that the children of Ukraine are never forgotten.
To facilitate planning, UNWLA offers a comprehensive toolkit, including event guides, creative materials, and outreach templates. Additional support is available to help local groups get started.
For more information, visit the UNWLA website.
Join UNWLA in supporting Ukraine!
Your support can make a difference.
Please consider donating to support UNWLA’s important work. Click here to learn more about the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America and how to donate.
Help Keep Ukraine in the Spotlight – Follow Us on Social and Share
Never miss a story! Follow our social media to be notified of new stories, to learn about upcoming events, and discover impactful ways to support Ukraine. And please share with your friends, family, and colleagues.