Whitefish Foundation began with a single trip — and a calling that would not let go.

In July 2015, a team of ten traveled to Ukraine through an organization called Visiting Orphans (later known as Go Be Love). We visited orphanages throughout the Vinnytsia region and felt deeply led to support the children we met there. What began as a visit quickly became a commitment.

In 2019, we visited Zhmerynka, a transition center for girls preparing to age out of the orphan system at just 16 years old. Many of these young women had nowhere to go once they reached that age. Their future felt uncertain, and our hearts were burdened for them. We began praying and planning for a safe, stable home where they could live beyond age 16 — a place with no deadline to leave. A place to receive job training, education, life skills, and to hear the hope of the Gospel.

That vision became Whitefish Foundation.

We purchased land just outside Vinnytsia and began clearing property to build a home for girls aging out of the system. While construction was underway, we supported the girls by enrolling them in trade school in Vinnytsia, where they lived in dormitories and received vocational training.

Then March 2020 brought the global pandemic. Schools closed. Orphanages went into lockdown. Travel stopped. Yet construction continued, and so did our support. The girls returned to their villages, and we expanded our care to assist families in the surrounding community — especially those with small children and babies. When travel briefly reopened, we were able to return and reconnect with the girls.

Then on February 24, 2022, war changed everything.

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many of the men who had been building our home were called into military service. Tragically, every one of those men lost his life in the war. We continue to support their families as part of our ongoing mission.

Although we can no longer visit orphanages in person, we continue to provide essential supplies such as medicine, diapers, and basic necessities. We remain connected to the young women who became part of our ministry through Sasha, our trusted director in Ukraine, and through ongoing communication.

The war has deeply impacted our work. Infrastructure has been destroyed. Our website developer in Ukraine lost connectivity when communication towers were bombed and is now serving in the military. We have not heard from him recently and pray for his safety. We are currently rebuilding our website here in the United States so we can continue sharing the needs and stories coming from Ukraine.

Today, our mission remains the same:
To support vulnerable girls aging out of the orphan system and to provide practical, spiritual, and humanitarian aid to those affected by war.

Whitefish Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 83-2828297).
100% of all donations go directly to support the work in Ukraine.

We are deeply grateful for every prayer, every share, and every gift. Your support truly makes a difference.

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