Olena Zelenska and Howard Buffett visit new youth space 12–21 in Odesa
Hence, during the visit, it was important to see how the space works and welcomes its visitors.
Photo source: Facebook / Olena Zelenska
The youth space "12–21" has become the fourth center created in partnership with The Howard G. Buffett Foundation. Its concept involves creating a safe "third place" for teenagers — an environment between home and school where they can spend time, communicate, and receive support without pressure or judgment.
"12–21 aims to create a quiet and safe 'third place' for teenagers between home and school — an environment where there is no pressure, no grades and no demand to meet other people's expectations, but sincere acceptance, respect and care," the first lady explained.
According to Zelenska, young people have openly embraced the initiative. While developing the concept, the Foundation team assumed that teenagers would initially come to the space mainly for leisure and only later decide to have open conversations with specialists.
However, the first lady said that in practice, young people immediately use the space to receive professional help. They turn to specialists on their own, seek advice on choosing a future profession, and talk to psychologists about their concerns.
Given the security situation, the space in Odesa has a protected shelter. It allows teenagers to safely continue communicating, participate in training sessions, and receive consultations from specialists, even during an air raid alert.
In eight months, the "12–21" youth space network has brought together more than 1,800 young men and women. The centers operate in Bila Tserkva, Khmelnytskyi, Chernihiv, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa.
Olena Zelenska thanked Howard Buffett for his partnership in creating and developing this network.
Background
Howard Buffett, the son of legendary investor Warren Buffett, actively supports Ukraine through his foundation, focusing on food security, demining, farmer support, energy, and prosthetics. He provides millions of dollars, visits Ukraine in person, documents war crimes, and calls on the world to support the country, while also creating innovative projects such as a kitchen train.
His work covers both humanitarian aid and long-term recovery projects.
It should be noted that the president's wife, Olena Zelenska, earlier announced preparations to launch the "12–21" space in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region.
According to the first lady, such centers have already proven effective in Bila Tserkva, Khmelnytskyi, Kryvyi Rih, and Chernihiv, where 91% of visitors recommend them to friends.
As reported, the "12–21" spaces for children and young people, created with the support of the Olena Zelenska Foundation, began operating in December last year.
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4 of September 2026
