
Making a Positive Impact: UNWLA’s Work to Support Ukraine and How You Can Help
The ongoing war in Ukraine is a devastating tragedy that has left tens of thousands of people dead or wounded, and millions of Ukrainians displaced. Despite fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces,...

Olena Gnes: “The Voice of Ukraine”
Olena Gnes went from being, in her words, a “regular, nothing special, Ukrainian woman” to being “the voice of Ukraine”. She is also, and above all, a 36-year-old mother of three who is trying to...

This Ukrainian American Life
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the global arts community has been a strong supporter of Ukraine — and that includes Vira Slywotzky, a classically...

Faith and Mercy — Helping the People of Serhiivka
Our last blog, “We Don't Want to Survive. We Want to Live.” tells Alya’s story, a young woman from Ukraine who has been doing volunteer work since the start of Russia’s war. She’s now living in her...

“We Don’t Want To Survive. We Want To Live.” – Alya’s Story
When we spoke to Alya it was late in the evening in Serhiivka, and there was no power. She was using her phone for the video call, sitting in her apartment in the dark and wearing three pairs of...

KOLO: A Celebration of the Dance, Visual and Musical Heritage of Ukrainian Culture
Join the celebration of Ukrainian culture at the KOLO Dance Show Ukraine’s cultural heritage has been under siege since Russia launched its unprovoked war on February 24, 2022. At Spotlight Ukraine,...

Ukrainians Face A Tough Winter — Will You Help Keep Ukraine Warm?
Help Keep Ukraine Warm Winter in Ukraine will be life-threatening for millions of Ukrainians currently living in homes with broken windows and doors. With no heat or electricity, they brace...

The Scale of Destruction and the Seeds of Hope – captured by documentary photographer, Allan Mestel
In our recent blog, "Allan Mestel, Documentary Photographer – At the Borders of Humanity," we shared some of Allan's experiences at the Medyka border crossing between Ukraine and Poland – the shock...

How A Boutique Candle Company is On Track To Raise Over $1 Million for Ukraine
Christiana Gorchynsky Trapani is a 2nd generation Ukrainian-American and owner of the Door County Candle Company, located in scenic Door County, Wisconsin. The candle store has been a local...

Allan Mestel, Documentary Photographer – At the Borders of Humanity
We recently spent time with Allan Mestel, a seasoned documentary photographer, who traveled to Ukraine twice since Russia's full-scale attack on February 24th. He first traveled to the...

Three Acoustic Performers Set To Headline “Songs For Ukraine” Benefit Concert
Since the start of Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine on February 24th, the global arts community has been a big supporter of Ukraine — and that includes The Eastern Connecticut Center for...

Border Stories – Unimaginable, Inspirational, Painful & Hopeful
This is the third in our blog series from our conversation with celebrity chef Steve Cassarino, aka Chef Roc, as he reflected on his month of volunteering with World Central Kitchen. In the first...

Unfurling of the Ukrainian Flag in Central Park, NYC
Last week we posted a blog about Ukrainian Independence Day. See the post for historical context and traditions that typically take place on this very important day. As we noted in the blog post,...

Chef Roc Returns Home – Creative Fundraising From Afar
This is the second blog in a 3-part series based on our conversation with celebrity chef Steve Cassarino, better known as Chef Roc. He has recently returned from a one-month stint as a volunteer...

Celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day
The Ukrainian people have endured intense battles, brutal airstrikes and unimaginable loss during the past 6 months, but tomorrow many Ukrainians will still attempt to celebrate one of their most...

Chef Roc & World Central Kitchen – Sandwiches, Suffering & Stories
We recently had the opportunity to talk with Steve Cassarino, the celebrity chef better known as Chef Roc, about his work as a volunteer with World Central Kitchen. This incredible humanitarian...

Why stories are so important to Spotlight Ukraine…
...because we believe in the healing power of stories by Melina Garibyan “Stories speak louder than facts alone and are heard without the resistance that often accompanies attempts to argue people...

World Central Kitchen Food Fighters Reach 100 Million Meals Served! Please help to keep WCK cooking.
On Monday, July 18th, Chef Andres, World Central Kitchen Founder, announced that WCK has now served 100 million meals in and around Ukraine since the attack on February 24th. The scale of WCK's...

We’re All in This Together
We're All in This Together by Vasken Kalayjian “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King When individuals are forced to evacuate their homes and cities due to...

“Calamity Again.” The words of the celebrated Ukrainian poet, Taras Shevchenko, still ring true today, 160+ years after his death.
Taras Shevchenko (1814-1861), also known as 'Kobzar' (the Bard) is one of the most prominent and celebrated Ukrainian figures of the 19th Century. He was a poet, artist, humanist, folklorist, and...
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Making a Positive Impact: UNWLA’s Work to Support Ukraine and How You Can Help
The ongoing war in Ukraine is a devastating tragedy that has left tens of thousands of people dead or wounded, and millions of Ukrainians displaced. Despite fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces, the conflict has entered its second year, with no end in sight. It's...

Olena Gnes: “The Voice of Ukraine”
Olena Gnes went from being, in her words, a “regular, nothing special, Ukrainian woman” to being “the voice of Ukraine”. She is also, and above all, a 36-year-old mother of three who is trying to parent her children (and herself) through their trauma. Her story is one...

This Ukrainian American Life
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the global arts community has been a strong supporter of Ukraine — and that includes Vira Slywotzky, a classically trained contralto opera singer who has performed principal roles with...

Faith and Mercy — Helping the People of Serhiivka
Our last blog, “We Don't Want to Survive. We Want to Live.” tells Alya’s story, a young woman from Ukraine who has been doing volunteer work since the start of Russia’s war. She’s now living in her hometown of Serhiivka helping those in need. Alya has recently...

“We Don’t Want To Survive. We Want To Live.” – Alya’s Story
When we spoke to Alya it was late in the evening in Serhiivka, and there was no power. She was using her phone for the video call, sitting in her apartment in the dark and wearing three pairs of thick socks in an attempt to keep warm. She started the call by...