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9 НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Листопад 2022 Anna at the microphone on the New Haven Green, with Mayor Justin Elicker to her left and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to her right. gional problems – for example, Texas and Florida were experiencing a large influx of refugees who came in through Mexico and there - fore were ineligible for federal programs and aid. It was easy to at - tend meetings; I just had to remember to go on the computer and sign in on time. I felt more empowered. Marianna Tretiak, Chair of the Advocacy committee, led the meet - ings with professional courtesy, listening patiently but making sure we stayed on topic. The PowerPoint presentations were clear, and the follow-up notes were easy to follow and refer back to. The Ad - vocacy team became my support system apart from family and friends to whom I hesitated bringing my feelings of helplessness and sorrow. During an online meeting with Halyna Skipalska, HealthRight Coun - try Director for Ukraine and Executive Director of the Ukrainian Foundation for Public Health, we learned about the work being done with trauma survivors and the biological process of neuro - genesis. Some things were even personally relevant, such as steps to get to the Resilient Zone, like “push against a wall to use large muscles; look around and name six colors; drink a glass of water, juice, or tea and focus on pleasant sensations like aroma, taste, and body”; and “storms pass.” Useful resources such as the iChill app for your smartphone or tablet were suggested. She also informed us about the Trauma Resource Institute, an online resource that was bringing in a Ukrainian-language component. A few sessions later, the Advocacy group and the UNWLA sent out a suggested proclamation to bring to local governments for Ukrainian Independence Day, August 24. This I could do. I called the mayor’s office of the city that is the regional center and the mayor of the town where I live. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful. With their assistance, this became an event. New Haven agreed to have a formal flag raising on the Green on Wednesday, August 24. The mayor’s office sent out the media announcement. A few hours be - fore the ceremony, I received a call from the office of the district’s House Representative, Rosa DeLauro, asking if she could join in. This was re - ally good news as she was the head of the House Appropriations committee and had sponsored Bill HR7691, which became the Additional Ukraine Supple - mental Appropriations Act for over $40 billion in aid to Ukraine (May 19, 2022). Although it was the middle of the week, we still had a good turnout, and received great media coverage from two local TV stations and online publi - cations; the local newspaper printed a picture. From that event, several of us drove to the West Haven town hall, where the mayor read the proclamation in the council chamber and added that the new pedestrian bridge by the shore would be lit up in blue and yellow that night. We drove there that evening; the beach area was filled with tons of peo - ple enjoying the lovely evening, and the bridge, which connects two beach - es, was lit up in glorious blue and yel - low. A photographer for the local paper took a picture that made the front page the following week. Would I have attempted any of this with - out the Advocacy team? Probably not, but with the team I found purpose, and courage, and realized that all of us can do so much more by just doing a little more. Anna (center) with the mayor of West Haven, Nancy R. Rossi (second from left) as she presented the proclamation, joined by UNWLA members (l-r) Nadiya Ivantsiv and Mariyka Antonyshyn.
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