Hello, druzi!
It's starting to feel like summer, and the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine has exciting things in the works. In this month's newsletter, you can:
- Find out who's celebrating 25 years of working with Peace Corps Ukraine
- Contribute to our special anniversary calendar
- See the updates you've been asking for on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in our Peace Corps community
- Get a sneak peek of upcoming events and initiatives - and get involved!
- Meet our newest board members
We've sure been busy! What are your summer plans? Perhaps you're interested in joining us? The RPCV Alliance for Ukraine Board of Directors and project committees always have room for the energy and talent of the diverse PC Ukraine community. Write to allianceforukraine@gmail.com to learn more!
Wishing you a healthy and meaningful Memorial Day,
~The RPCV Alliance for Ukraine
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Considering heartfelt humanity first has become the guide star of Oleg’s 25-year career at Peace Corps Ukraine – a milestone he reached in March 2021. He is not at all dismissive of academic achievement. Among the 2,000 volunteers he has shepherded as a program manager have been PhDs, business professionals and new college graduates alike. But what people do for a living or the salary they make back at home are not high on Oleg’s list of attributes to prioritize.
Read more about Oleg's quarter-century career and how he earned the title of Fairy Godmother.
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Got photos of Ukraine? We know you do!
We are starting to get really excited for our forthcoming Treasures of Ukraine calendar marking the 30th anniversary of Peace Corps Ukraine. We hope to include photos from throughout that history, so send what you've got to Board Member Michael Dixon, будь ласка!
Photo above submitted for the 2020 calendar by Mattea Pezza.
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An activist writes on the pavement in Sacramento, California in 2020. Photo by Cortney Copeland
.May 2021 Equity & Justice Update: A Year of Racial Reckoning
In our 2020 Action Plan for Equity and Social Justice, the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine committed to providing regular updates on our own efforts and those of Peace Corps Ukraine to confront racism, bigotry, and inequality. You'll find information about the Alliance, Peace Corps Ukraine, Peace Corps Headquarters, and the NPCA in our May 2021 update.
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Coming Soon! War and Honey, a film by Matthew Ritenour.
War and Honey takes us to Dnipropetrovs'ka Oblast to follow a group of Ukrainian veterans who are finding new purpose and camaraderie in the production of honey.
On July 17th, join us for a special online screening and panel discussion of this beautiful short documentary about the effects of war, the emotional and mental battle veterans face coming home, and how something as peaceful as the production of honey can aid in that struggle. This will be a multi-lingual event in English, Ukrainian, and Russian with interpreters present.
Registration information forthcoming - stay tuned!
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We would like to welcome our two newest board members! Each enter their new roles with enthusiasm and bring their own unique talents and goals.
Katherine Fitch: Impact Сommittee Chair. Katherine aims to reach out to Ukrainian partners and work with Ukrainian organizations on behalf of the Alliance for Ukraine to build further cooperation.
Allen Gonzales-Willert: Communications Committee Chair. Allen hopes to build on our social media accounts and in the future, he might be reaching out to you for photos or Peace Corps Ukraine experiences and memories.
Ласкаво просимо!
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Connections Program hosts first Happy Hour event
The newly-launched Connections Program is off to a great start after we held our first Happy Hour Get-Together on May 26th. Many thanks to the Connections Program team - Sarah, Emmery, Catherine, and Peggy - for organizing a lively and fun conversation.
Do you want to attend future events like this one? Perhaps you'd like to join as a Mentor or a Mentee? Then write to connectionsukraine@gmail.com to make sure you get all the latest news on the Connections Program. A Mentor/Mentee matching survey will be coming out soon!
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2022 will mark 30 years of Peace Corps Ukraine, and we want you to get involved in the celebration!
Anniversary Planning Committee
Over nearly three decades, Peace Corps Ukraine has trained and hosted more than 3,300 Volunteers, employed hundreds of staff members, and changed the lives of thousands of Ukrainians. Despite three evacuations, the program remains one of the strongest of the agency and continues to attract prospective Volunteers. We have established a subcommittee to plan various events to celebrate this special anniversary. If you are interested in joining the committee, reach out to Raisa Alstodt.
30th Anniversary Interviews
The planning committee hopes to interview counterparts, RPCVs, and past Peace Corps Ukraine staff. Do you know somebody we should interview? Perhaps you want to do an interview yourself? Let us know!
And don't forget to send in your photos for the calendar!
Photo above submitted for the 2019 calendar by Lili Bivings.
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