Razom was born out of the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 when millions of people worked together and risked their lives to build a pathway to a better future for Ukraine. Those who were unable to be in Ukraine during this time, wanted to do their part to help the movement as best they could from abroad. Many sent funds and supplies to sustain the community built on the Maidan through the winter, but they also took to the streets in their own cities to raise awareness and amplify voices from Ukraine in the West.
In New York, a handful of the organizers and participants of those activities decided to form an organization that could help sustain momentum and propel forward the important work started on the Maidan. They named it Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian and serves as a constant reminder of the community that it takes to create, build and do, to stay the path towards a more prosperous and democratic Ukraine.
Key Milestones
The first demonstrators gather on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv, Ukraine protesting the president’s decision to suspend signing the Association Agreement with the European Union.
Ukrainians in America organize demonstrations, marches, and flash mobs across NYC in support of people on the Maidan. The following month, the future core of Razom leaders meets at the protests and on Facebook, and decides to hold rallies every weekend until victory.
Razom, Inc. is founded.
Since the start of 2014, $136,159.94 has been raised for emergency support of Maidan protesters.
Through the Toy Drive project, Razom assembles and ships 250 boxes of toys, clothing, and supplies to families of the fallen and injured, refugee centers, orphanages, and vetted charities.
Razom becomes a US-based 501(c)3.
Razom holds its first Razom IT event to support the growth of an engaged middle class in Ukraine through its booming tech sector.
Razom organizes a U.N. event presenting its second legal report on human rights violations in occupied Crimea.
Razom Dlia Ukrainy Foundation, was granted a tax exempt status as a charitable organization in Ukraine.
Razom. Art. Jam. showcases Ukrainian creative talent by bringing together animators, musicians, artists, and fashion designers for a night of contemporary Ukrainian culture.
Co-Pilot Project raises enough funds and medical equipment to bring a team of neurosurgeons from the US to Ukraine where they go on to conduct 40 major brain and spine operations across the country.
Razom volunteers organize protests across New York City to raise awareness about the hunger strike of Oleg Sentsov to demand for the release of Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia.
The National Olympiad in Physics starts in Kherson, Ukraine. The Razom Ticket team is closely involved providing the needed additional funding for the event.
Begun in 2014, Razom Lounge is at the 46th Annual St. George’s Ukrainian Festival in N.Y.C. with exciting projects and activities like pottery classes and the amazing and fun “Face Box”.
Razom volunteers help backstage at BEVZA’s February 2020 Runway at New York Fashion Week for the third time in a row.
The Razom Emergency Response initiative is launched and raises over $45,000 to protect healthcare workers who were fighting COVID-19 in Ukraine.
The second annual Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival is held in N.Y.C. to showcase Ukraine’s unique contributions to contemporary music.
Razom co-organizes a virtual event with the U.N. to raise awareness about Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Razom working with the Svichynskyi Family in Ukraine, whose infant son was diagnosed with SMA, helped support the “Dity, My Vstyhnemo” (Kids, We’ll Make It) campaign.
Full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Thousands of Ukrainians and supporters gather in N.Y.C.’s Times Square for one of the largest rallies in recent Ukrainian New York history.
In cooperation with ethnic, religious and human rights organizations, Razom holds a press conference in front of the White House to urge Congress to provide Ukraine with additional financial aid. That same day, the American Coalition for Ukraine launches, with Razom as a founding member.
Razom press conference in Lviv, Ukraine, to discuss support by Ukrainian volunteers in the U.S., helping Ukrainians in wartime and pausing projects to raise $40 million since February 2022.
First Ukraine Action Summit takes place to lobby U.S. legislators in Washington, D.C.
Razom co-presents the Notes From Ukraine concert at Carnegie Hall in N.Y.C., which celebrates the centennial of the first presentation of the holiday song Shchedryk, at that very same venue.
Razom begins its transition from an all-volunteer nonprofit organization to hiring staff and professionalizing, in response to the unprecedented growth experienced in the previous year.
Razom opens its third psychological support center in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine for IDPs and others, under the auspices of “Razom z Toboyu” (Razom With You).
Razom organizes Razom Silnishi (Stronger Together), a two-day meeting in Lviv, Ukraine for over 60 civil society organizations and partners from across Ukraine.
In response to the willful destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, the Razom team with local NGOs start immediate evacuations, supporting the community with food, supplies and later, water purifying stations.
Razom is a presenting partner with PBS Frontline and the Associated Press on the U.S. theatrical release of the highly acclaimed Ukrainian documentary 20 Days In Mariupol, which will go on to be a contender for Best Documentary at the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.
At a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, the Razom Heroes team reports on $40 million of humanitarian aid delivered to the frontlines.
Razom, along with Yara Arts Group, the Ukrainian Institute of America, the Shevchenko Scientific Society and Bowery Poetry Club, mounts the inaugural Ukrainian Cultural Festival in N.Y.C. in honor of Victoria Amelina, contemporary Ukrainian author killed in a rocket attack earlier in the year.
Razom, Inc. is ten years old. Russia opens the new year with the deadliest air assault on Ukraine since its full-scale invasion in 2022, further underscoring our purpose to uphold the principles of the Revolution of Dignity. Starting its second decade, Razom delivers on its mission through 5 programs: Heroes, Health, Relief, Advocacy and Connect.
Razom launches its 10th Anniversary with an event at the Ukrainian National Home.
