Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine experienced significant transformations in its social and political systems, marked by a surge in governmental corruption and deteriorating infrastructure. This upheaval left many young people homeless and addicted to a dangerous mix of injected cold medicine and alcohol. In the early 2000s, a pastor from Mariupol named Gennadiy Mokhnenko began addressing the issue of child homelessness by forcibly removing street children and taking them to his Pilgrim Republic rehabilitation center, the largest facility of its kind in the former Soviet territories. Gennadiy’s relentless efforts and his unapologetically tough love approach have earned him the status of a folk hero to some, while others view him as a rogue vigilante. Despite facing criticism, Gennadiy remains resolute in his mission.