Rebuilding the Thought Process
Tetris Style
Tetris Style
It started with the phrase “Man, I hope the kids in Ukraine have Tetris.” Rebuilding Relief snowballed from there. On February 25, 2022, we began working tirelessly to find suppliers, delivery methods, and a network to help carry out our mission.
Our Mission
Reduce the psychological impact incredibly stressful climates have on young minds.
Our Vision
Create healthier environments where kids don’t have to stew in the trauma they’ve gone through.
A Note from our Co-Founder
Huddled up in my cozy corner on February 25th, while scrolling through the dismay erupting on social media of the Russian invasion into Ukraine, I thought out loud, “Man, I hope the kids in Ukraine have Tetris.” My partner looked over with a confused face. Out of all the things they need, Tetris? Yes, they need and deserve absolutely every positive humanitarian effort. But maybe… also Tetris.
Months prior to the War on Ukraine, I read an article about the positive psychological effects Tetris has on individuals in crisis. This helps deter long term effects such as intrusive thoughts when in the beginning stages of PTSD. After reading countless psychological journals regarding this, I thought how beneficial it would be for those in war or dangerous circumstances. I was unsure that a crisis of this measure would ever be around in my lifetime, but a few days later it became evident that it would.
Our mission will not end with Ukraine, we hope it will be the beginning of many endeavors of assistance to the youth in crisis. We are passionate about Rebuilding Relief and projecting our hearts and tools to emphasize the strength all humans encompass.
– Olivia LaBenne
Allyson Szerszeń
Somewhere between the psychological need for Tetris in Ukraine and the logistics of land routes that shipping requires, Rebuilding Relief landed on Ally. Without Ally, and her husband, Nicolas, Rebuilding Relief would have no true idea of where our shipments head and wind up. From sourcing the American equivalent to Amazon to delivering shipments to Ukrainian drop points, Ally has made our mission possible.
A monumental part of our organization, the contribution doesn’t stop there. Ally continues to help with new ideas as to how Rebuilding Relief can continue to grow. In addition, Ally’s mom, Natalie Simmons, played a monumental role in helping Rebuilding Relief register to become a non-profit. Basically, we’re unbelievably grateful for Al and her family.
Mackenzie Weber
My mindset has been and continues to be, it’s better to do what you can with what you have versus doing nothing at all. After following the news and Ukrainian crisis, Olivia came up with an idea. It had nothing to do with anything other than mental health (a topic Olivia, Ally, and I are all incredibly passionate about), specifically in children of crisis.
That single idea transformed into a mission and from there we planned the logistics with Ally.
We’re excited to continue nurturing the impact Rebuilding Relief has on children’s‘ hospitals, foster homes, and additional areas of urgency worldwide.
