Hope For Ukraine, a Roseland-based organization established in 2016 with a mission to provide assistance to underserved communities in Ukraine, announced Jan. 6 the continued expansion of its Solar Energy Resilience Kit program, delivering long-term, renewable power solutions to Ukrainian families who have lost access to heat and electricity because of ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure.
The war with Russia, which began in February 2022, is dismantling Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving millions of families without reliable access to electricity, heat, and light. Communities living near the frontline are among the hardest hit, facing prolonged blackouts in conditions where the national power grid can no longer be relied upon.
This crisis is compounded by deep economic hardship. An estimated 9 million families in Ukraine are living in poverty, many without the resources to secure alternative sources of energy.
New Jersey is home to an estimated 67,478 Ukrainian Americans, fifth highest in the country, according to recent U.S. Census-based estimates. At 0.7% of the state’s population, New Jersey has the fourth-highest concentration of Ukrainian Americans in the United States. The New York City metropolitan region is the nation’s largest community of Ukrainian Americans.
“For families living near the frontline, darkness and cold are a daily reality,” said CEO of Hope For Ukraine, Yuriy Boyechko. “Even if the war ends in a peace agreement this year, blackouts will not end overnight. Rebuilding public infrastructure can take a decade or longer. Families — especially those already living in poverty — need dependable, off-grid energy solutions now to survive and rebuild with dignity.”
Each Solar Energy Resilience Kit provides a guarantee of power for basic daily needs, such as a generator, ensuring safety, warmth, and a measure of comfort. The kits deliver more than eight hours of power per day and include multiple sockets to support essential household devices. Families can reliably power lights, communication tools, and small appliances — helping them stay connected, informed, and secure during extended outages.
A key component of the program is its integration with food aid networks. With access to solar-powered electricity, families are able to safely use cooking appliances and kitchen tools.
Looking ahead, Hope For Ukraine has set a long-term goal to distribute 1 million Solar Energy Resilience Kits over the next five years, prioritizing high-risk, underserved and economically vulnerable communities. As part of this effort, the organization has established a milestone for 2026: the delivery of 1,250 Solar Energy Resilience Kits to frontline and hard-hit families.