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130 ХХ Х І I Конвенція СУА In Lviv, enjoying dessert with Dr. Mariyka Furtak at a cafe in Rynok Square OKA HRYCAK SOCIAL WELFARE CHAIR When UNWLA was established in 1925, one of the main objectives was a social welfare program that has aided Ukrainians throughout the world for 95 years. During the past 95 years, which were honored in a virtual celebration on December 6, 2020, several key programs were highlighted, and we are pleased to highlight that in the diaspora, UNWLA has become an agent to help our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. I have been the Social Welfare chair of UNWLA since 2018. Many practices were well established by prev ious chair, Lida Bilous, and for this I continue to be grateful. Also, the UNWLA has the good fortune of having a liaison in Lviv, Dr. Mariyka Furtak, who is available to advise us on organizations in Ukraine that would benefit from our aid. Dr. Furtak ser ves as an intermediary between organizations and individuals in Ukraine who are requesting our assistance and our determination to provide aid. As Social Welfare Chair, I traveled to Ukraine in 2018, a trip that began in Kyiv, where I became ac quainted with Lesia Zaburanna, who is now a member of Ukraine’s parliament. Ms. Zaburanna was the UNWLA re pre sen - tative in the Seeds of Hope project initiated by Re presen - tative M arcy Kaptur, co - chair of the Con gres sional Ukrainian Caucus. I was also fortunate to meet Dr. Steb - liuk, a psy chiatrist, and his wife Katerina, a psy chologist, who work with injured soldiers. During a visit to nearby Zhytomyr, I was introduced to Soyuz Ukrayinok branch president Olena Vlasenko and several regional members. I was taken on a tour of the city, stopping at monuments that commemorate fallen soldiers of the ongoing war in Ukraine’s eastern regions, as well as a tour of the military hospital a nd laboratory to which UNWLA had supplied equipment. In Zhytomyr, I also met Facebook friend Larisa Shevchuk who leads an inclusion project for special needs students. After my return to Kyiv, Dr. Mariyka Furtak and I became acquainted over dinner. The next morning, with Dr. Vasyl Pazyniak, we proceeded to the Military Lyceum in Boyarka, where we received a loud, resounding ‘Thank you!’ for UNWLA’s delivery of washing machines and dryers. A connection was made at Dnipro Military Hospital and we made a visit to the Krasnopoolske Kladovyshche , a cemetery where unknown soldiers were buried. We also had an opportunity to visit the war front in Luhansk, a location not far from the city of Severodonetsk, where we were s cheduled to visit a new Ukrainian Catholic Church and community center. Leaving Kyiv, we traveled west. Our arrival in Lviv gave us a busy few days of meetings. We visited Rev. Stepan Sus (now Bishop) and Rev. Taras Mychalchuk, from whom we heard about the ir work and the summer and winter camps supported by UNWLA. We then visited the Orphan Center, led by Rev. Roman Prokopecj. I had the opportunity to visit the Prostir Nadii (Space of Hope) facility at the Institute of Mental Health, Ukrainian Catholic Univ ersity, a program that the UNWLA helps support. Dr. Suvalo described the therapy offered at the institute, as well as the publishing and training projects that have been undertaken. During my final day in Lviv, I was excited to spend time at the Dzherelo C hild - ren’s Rehabilitation Center where I had served as a volunteer several years ago. I mention all the meetings above, to emphasize that face - to - face communication is important . Such meetings promote understanding and trust between the organization in need and leadership and members of UNWLA. For example, the Severodonetsk project asked for a $7,000 donation initially for the rehab of a building that was being converted into a c hurch. However, once I met with the energetic
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