It’s getting exciting, the first financing round begins for the Comehome Association
The Comehome Association is created to respond to a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent and decisive action. The organization’s mission focuses on the important task of locating and safely returning abducted and deported Ukrainian children and young people to their homes. The organization was founded in response to the escalating conflicts in Ukraine and the increasing need for structured and coordinated efforts to support the affected families.
The objectives of the Comehome Association are clearly defined. The main tasks include providing resources and support to the affected families, working with other humanitarian organizations and government agencies, and raising awareness in the international community about the issue of child abduction and deportation. The organization places great emphasis on transparency and accountability and ensures that all resources are used in a targeted and effective manner. A central concern of the Comehome Association is the creation of a safe environment for the children and young people concerned.
This includes physical safety as well as psychological care and integration into society as soon as they return home. With offices in Vienna and Kiev, the organization takes a multinational approach to achieve its goals and mobilize broad support. The Comehome Association works closely with local and international partners to create a comprehensive network of supporters and resources.
This ensures that aid arrives quickly and efficiently where it is needed most. The organization sees itself as a bridge between the affected children and their families and works tirelessly to ensure that every child returns home safe and sound.
Locations and offices: Vienna and Kiev
The Comehome Association has decided to establish its offices in Vienna and Kiev. This strategic placement is a result of careful consideration and analysis. Vienna, as the capital of Austria, offers an ideal infrastructure for the Comehome Association’s headquarters. The city is known for its political stability, excellent transportation links and its central location in Europe. These factors make Vienna a perfect hub for administrative tasks and the coordination of the organization.
This will be the heart of the Comehome Association, where central decisions will be made and strategic plans developed. Kiev, on the other hand, the capital of Ukraine, was chosen as the location for direct operations on the ground. The importance of this city lies in its geopolitical location and its close proximity to the regions that are to benefit directly from the Comehome Association’s projects.
Kiev offers direct access to the affected communities, which significantly increases the effectiveness of humanitarian aid and development projects.
From here, the intervention teams operate and implement programs and initiatives that have an immediate and direct impact on the lives of local people. The physical separation of administrative and operational functions between Vienna and Kiev enables a clearly structured and focused way of working. While office activities such as financial administration, public relations and strategic management are at the forefront in Vienna, the focus in Kiev is on operational excellence and the implementation of projects. This dual structure ensures that both organizational coherence and efficiency in project implementation always remain at the highest level.
Planned care facilities for traumatized children
The Comehome Association is pursuing an ambitious program to establish care centers for severely traumatized children. At a time when the mental health of children around the world is at great risk, a structured and comprehensive model of care is of paramount importance. These planned facilities are specifically designed to meet the diverse needs of affected children and provide them with a safe environment in which they can regain confidence and a zest for life.
A central aim of the planned care facilities is to provide intensive psychological support. Professional psychologists and therapists will work closely with the children to overcome their individual traumas and help them find a healthy emotional balance. Trauma management plays an essential role in this, as many of the children in care have experienced significant stress that affects their daily lives and long-term well-being. In addition to psychological support, the Comehome Association relies on comprehensive social reintegration programs. These programs aim to enable children to reintegrate into their communities and build positive social relationships. Particular attention is paid to teaching the children skills and resources that help them to strengthen their independence and self-confidence.
Family ties are also encouraged and supported in order to create a stable and supportive environment. The planned care centers in Vienna and Kiev will have well-equipped facilities that meet the children’s needs. These include play and leisure rooms, therapy facilities and areas for school support and creative activities. The aim is to create an environment that not only offers protection and safety, but also provides space for growth and development. Through these comprehensive care services, the Comehome Association aims to sustainably improve the quality of life of traumatized children and offer them prospects for the future. The planned centers are intended to serve as lighthouse projects and have a positive impact on the lives of the affected children and their communities.
24-hour hotline for parents and abducted children
The implementation of a 24-hour hotline for parents and abducted children is a central component of the Comehome Association’s mission. This hotline provides an immediate point of contact for affected families who find themselves in extremely difficult and often traumatic situations. It is designed to provide both emotional support and concrete guidance in dealing with child abduction cases.
The hotline, which is available around the clock, is run by professionally trained staff with experience in crisis management and in-depth knowledge of the legal aspects of child abduction.
Parents who contact the hotline can expect comprehensive initial advice, which includes emotional support and the first steps to finding the child. A key feature of this hotline is its continuous availability. Families can receive immediate help at any time, which is particularly important in the first few hours after an abduction. The hotline also serves as an interface to other specialized services of the Comehome Association, such as legal assistance and psychological support.
Working closely with local authorities and international organizations, the hotline works to ensure that all available resources are mobilized to bring abducted children back safely. The 24-hour hotline not only provides immediate assistance, but also acts as a preventative tool. By providing accurate information and support, it helps to ensure that parents are better equipped to avoid and respond appropriately to potential abduction situations. The launch of this hotline underlines the Comehome Association’s commitment to providing effective and sustainable solutions to one of the biggest challenges facing many families.
Future projects and initiatives
The Comehome Association has set itself the goal of bringing about sustainable change and saving lives through various future projects and initiatives. At the heart of these efforts are concrete rescue missions, which are to be implemented in collaboration with local partners and volunteers. In the coming years, the organization plans to implement several strategic measures aimed at expanding existing care centers and building new facilities. One focus is on opening additional care centers, which are of crucial importance in both Vienna and Kiev.
These centers will not only serve as a point of contact for people in need, but also as hubs for volunteers who want to get involved.
In addition, the Comehome Association plans to strengthen and expand transnational collaborations to maximize the impact of its humanitarian work. Partnerships with international aid organizations and local NGOs should make it possible to use existing resources more efficiently and create a broader support base.
Another planned project involves specific projects in the embattled Ukrainian territories affected by Russian bombing and threats.
These operations are to be optimized through the use of state-of-the-art technology and well-trained emergency personnel in order to be able to provide help quickly and effectively to as many people as possible in emergency situations. The aim is to save lives directly and provide sustainable support through targeted measures on the ground. Donations are used exclusively for saving lives and the necessary technical equipment and special rescue vehicles. Overall, the Comehome Association is on a clear course to systematically expand its activities and extend its reach. Through comprehensive planning and the commitment of its members and supporters, the organization strives to make an even greater contribution to the rescue and support of people in need. These visions for the future form the backbone of its long-term strategy and serve as a guide for future growth and success.
Financing phase 1: Fundraising and donation campaigns
The Comehome Association is currently in its first round of funding, with a significant focus on fundraising and donations. This phase is crucial to the foundation phase of the organization as it creates the financial base on which future projects can be built. To achieve this goal, various platforms are used to reach a wide audience and motivate them to participate in our campaigns.
One of the key strategies involves crowdfunding campaigns on popular platforms such as GoFundMe and Kickstarter. These platforms not only provide the opportunity to raise financial support from individuals, but also to raise awareness of the Comehome Association’s goals and vision. In addition to crowdfunding, we utilize traditional fundraising events, including information sessions, workshops and lectures. These events not only provide an opportunity to raise funds, but also to meet supporters and interested parties in person and encourage their involvement.
The involvement of local companies and celebrities will significantly increase the reach and effectiveness of these campaigns. The expected donations from the various fundraising activities will be carefully planned and managed. A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to the infrastructure of the locations in Vienna and Kiev, including renting and equipping the premises and hiring the staff. In addition, funding will be provided for education and integration programs, which are at the core of our mission. This initial funding phase thus lays the foundation for the long-term success of the Comehome Association and enables us to establish a sustainable and impactful non-profit organization.
Use of the funds from the first financing round
The Comehome Association’s first round of funding was a decisive step in the start-up phase of the non-profit organization. These funds enable the realization of basic activities and projects that are necessary for the successful development and operation of the organization. Initially, the focus is on the official founding of the organization.
This involves costs for legal advice and administrative processes, which are essential in order to meet the legal requirements for non-profit status in Austria and Ukraine. Another important point is setting up the office locations in Vienna and Kiev. Rental agreements must be concluded and offices must be adequately equipped to ensure effective work. The purchase of office furniture, computers, printers and other technical equipment is essential in order to provide employees with an optimized working environment. In addition, funds are budgeted for salaries to ensure that talented and committed employees receive appropriate remuneration. This is crucial for the motivation and long-term commitment of the team. The mobility of the team is also supported by funding. This includes not only local transportation, but also travel budgets for meetings with international partners.
The expansion of the internet and communication system is also on the priority list in order to enable smooth and efficient internal and external communication. In addition, the establishment of a reliable partner network is essential. To this end, funds are made available to finance events and meetings with potential partners and sponsors. Finally, the financing of external service providers plays an important role, especially in areas where specialized expertise is required – such as IT services and marketing.
These strategic investments from the first round of financing lay the foundations for the sustainable growth and secure operation of the Comehome Association. The first round of funding plays a central role in the start-up phase of any non-profit organization, including the Comehome Association. This initial fundraising ensures that the necessary resources are provided to establish the organization on a stable footing and achieve initial strategic goals. For the Comehome Association, the early funding round enabled the core infrastructure in Vienna and Kiev to be established and an experienced team to be recruited to implement the organization’s vision. In the early stages, funding is crucial, not only to cover operating costs, but also to create sustainable programs and initiatives. In particular, funds are used to secure premises, acquire key administrative tools and meet basic legal and regulatory requirements. This creates a solid foundation on which the organization can plan and develop its future activities. Building a network and partnerships with relevant stakeholders will also be a focus supported by the first round of funding. This included working with local authorities, other non-profit organizations and potential donors.
Through these collaborations, the Comehome Association can increase awareness and expand its reach in the two cities. After the successful initial phase, planning the next steps becomes critical. The organization aims to further expand its presence and programs to reach and support more people in Vienna and Kiev. Part of the strategy after the first round of funding is to identify additional funding sources that will ensure the long-term operation and growth of the programs. This will include expanding fundraising activities and applying for special funding. The first round of funding will enable the Comehome Association to create a solid foundation on which to build future success. With a clear focus on sustainability and growth, the organization will continue to work to fulfill its mission and effect positive change in its communities.