That conversation became a program. That program became a movement. This is how it happened.
In 2022, Kathleen Hessert traveled to Ukraine and met the youth who would change the direction of her work. Not because of what they had lost, but because of who they still were: curious, creative, ambitious, and hungry for connection.
She came home and set up a video call between a Ukrainian teenager and an American teenager. They talked about school, about music, about what they were dreaming about. It was simple. And it was exactly what both of them needed. That call became KidsKonnectUkraine.
It all started with a simple idea: connect Ukrainian and American youth through a screen and see what happens. KidsKonnectUkraine launched as a digital-first program under MoveUkraine.
A public high school in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a group of students in Ukraine sat down on Zoom for the first time. That single call proved the concept and set the foundation for everything that followed.
Launched mobile journalism workshops across Ukraine and the US. Eight courses in Ukraine, two in the US. Teens learn to tell stories with smartphones.
Expanded to schools and clubs on the front lines in Ukraine. Even youth in the most affected areas gained access to connection and creative programming.
Piloted the Kevin Love mental health program in western Ukraine, equipping educators with tools to support the emotional wellbeing of youth during conflict.
KidsKonnectUkraine and UCU’s Ideas Center launched Venture Camp Ukraine. Free entrepreneurship competition where Ukrainian teens compete for up to EUR100,000 in educational funding.
Announced Project Oxygen (O2), bringing 40 teens from conflict-affected regions to Rome, Italy and Vatican City for six days of dialogue, workshops, and the formation of The Breathe Alliance.
Expanded to schools in Naples and Estero, Florida, including a Model UN Club and a History Program. Students bonded with Ukrainian peers through regular Zoom sessions.
Expanded to Connecticut, Indiana, and Ohio. Growing the network of American communities connected to Ukrainian youth.
Launched scholarships sending Ukrainian students to the New York Times International Summer Journalism Camp. World-class media training on a global stage.
The Kevin Love program scaled across western Ukraine. 125 teachers trained and certified. The program became official curriculum, reaching thousands of students.
Launched the Digital Memory AI research study. The first of its kind exploring how AI tools shape Ukrainian youth’s understanding of their own history. In partnership with the University of Notre Dame.
A public high school in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a group of students in Ukraine sat down on Zoom for the first time. That single call proved the concept and set the foundation for everything that followed.
Launched mobile journalism workshops across Ukraine and the US. Eight courses in Ukraine, two in the US. Teens learn to tell stories with smartphones.
Expanded to schools and clubs on the front lines in Ukraine. Even youth in the most affected areas gained access to connection and creative programming.
Piloted the Kevin Love mental health program in western Ukraine, equipping educators with tools to support the emotional wellbeing of youth during conflict.
KidsKonnectUkraine and UCU’s Ideas Center launched Venture Camp Ukraine. Free entrepreneurship competition where Ukrainian teens compete for up to EUR100,000 in educational funding.
Announced Project Oxygen (O2), bringing 40 teens from conflict-affected regions to Rome, Italy and Vatican City for six days of dialogue, workshops, and the formation of The Breathe Alliance.
Expanded to schools in Naples and Estero, Florida, including a Model UN Club and a History Program. Students bonded with Ukrainian peers through regular Zoom sessions.
Expanded to Connecticut, Indiana, and Ohio. Growing the network of American communities connected to Ukrainian youth.
Launched scholarships sending Ukrainian students to the New York Times International Summer Journalism Camp. World-class media training on a global stage.
The Kevin Love program scaled across western Ukraine. 125 teachers trained and certified. The program became official curriculum, reaching thousands of students.
Launched the Digital Memory AI research study. The first of its kind exploring how AI tools shape Ukrainian youth’s understanding of their own history. In partnership with the University of Notre Dame.
KidsKonnectUkraine is led by experienced professionals and passionate leaders who saw what happens when you put a microphone, a camera, or a Zoom link in front of a teenager with something to say.
