In 2003, Jeremiah’s Hope was first founded as a Ukrainian Charitable Fund in Donetsk, Ukraine. The organization was co-founded by Steve Taliaferro and Andrew Kelly. Originally, the ministry was solely registered in Ukraine and was focused on reaching orphans in the Donetsk region of the country. Steve Taliaferro moved to Donetsk in 2003 and coordinated orphanage outreach and in 2004, Andrew Kelly moved to Mariupol to open and operate a transitional living center for post-orphanage graduates. In 2006, Steve Taliaferro resigned from the organization and moved back to Texas.
In 2005, Andrew Kelly sought out individuals to help him incorporate Jeremiah’s Hope as a non-profit organization in the United States. The Board was formed and Andrew became Director of the organization and continued to serve in Ukraine as missionary and house parent of the transitional living center. Over the years, we have had several short and longer term missionaries who have contributed to the family atmosphere in the transitional living center. For example, Lance Atchison (and later his wife Debra) served in a house parent capacity from 2004-2008.
Prior to moving to Ukraine, Andrew grew up in Abilene, Texas. He attended Abilene Christian University and earned a B.S. in Missions in 2001. He later earned a M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Johnson University in 2017. In 2006, Andrew met (for the second time) Jenny O’Leary who was one of the pioneers of orphan ministry in Ukraine. The two saw they had much in common and were married in 2007.
Both, separately, came to Ukraine in the mid-90’s on short-term mission teams to work with orphans and other children in a camp setting. Both returned to Ukraine many times over several years to maintain relationships with orphans they had met and come to love. After completing her Bachelors degree in Social Science at Simpson University (Redding, CA), Jenny moved to Ukraine in 1997 and established a ministry with the goal of serving orphans in a more long-term way. In 2000, Jenny and a partner opened two homes in Kiev for orphanage graduates. It was upon meeting Jenny in 2001, that Andrew had the idea to open a transitional living center for orphanage graduates in Mariupol. Both were co-founders and directors of their respective ministries and both also served as house parents for the teens in the homes. Both dreamed one day of owning their own camp facility where Christian programs could be run without hindrance or excessive expense. Andrew and Jenny have five children: Vitalii, Leza, Abbie, Sophie and Noah.
In 2021, the Kelly family moved back to Abilene, Texas, USA after almost two decades of serving in Ukraine. Jenny has taken a role in public education but remains a huge encourager to our team in Ukraine. Andrew spent almost two years overseeing our emergency response to the war during 2022-2023 and now serves in a part time role overseeing the administrative matters and leading/encouraging the 6 member multi-national team of Ukrainians and Americans who are serving in Ukraine and Croatia.
In 2005, Andrew Kelly sought out individuals to help him incorporate Jeremiah’s Hope as a non-profit organization in the United States. The Board was formed and Andrew became Director of the organization and continued to serve in Ukraine as missionary and house parent of the transitional living center. Over the years, we have had several short and longer term missionaries who have contributed to the family atmosphere in the transitional living center. For example, Lance Atchison (and later his wife Debra) served in a house parent capacity from 2004-2008.
Prior to moving to Ukraine, Andrew grew up in Abilene, Texas. He attended Abilene Christian University and earned a B.S. in Missions in 2001. He later earned a M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Johnson University in 2017. In 2006, Andrew met (for the second time) Jenny O’Leary who was one of the pioneers of orphan ministry in Ukraine. The two saw they had much in common and were married in 2007.
Both, separately, came to Ukraine in the mid-90’s on short-term mission teams to work with orphans and other children in a camp setting. Both returned to Ukraine many times over several years to maintain relationships with orphans they had met and come to love. After completing her Bachelors degree in Social Science at Simpson University (Redding, CA), Jenny moved to Ukraine in 1997 and established a ministry with the goal of serving orphans in a more long-term way. In 2000, Jenny and a partner opened two homes in Kiev for orphanage graduates. It was upon meeting Jenny in 2001, that Andrew had the idea to open a transitional living center for orphanage graduates in Mariupol. Both were co-founders and directors of their respective ministries and both also served as house parents for the teens in the homes. Both dreamed one day of owning their own camp facility where Christian programs could be run without hindrance or excessive expense. Andrew and Jenny have five children: Vitalii, Leza, Abbie, Sophie and Noah.
In 2021, the Kelly family moved back to Abilene, Texas, USA after almost two decades of serving in Ukraine. Jenny has taken a role in public education but remains a huge encourager to our team in Ukraine. Andrew spent almost two years overseeing our emergency response to the war during 2022-2023 and now serves in a part time role overseeing the administrative matters and leading/encouraging the 6 member multi-national team of Ukrainians and Americans who are serving in Ukraine and Croatia.