Here’s your regularly scheduled update from Razom during these irregular, difficult, life-changing times. Take note of our work thanks to your incredible, continued support, and take note of ways you can continue to stand with Ukraine. Right now it matters more than ever.
Dear Razom community,
We are entering a new phase of the war in Ukraine and your support (donations, advocacy, volunteering, showing up) has never been more important. As of right now, Razom has spent $19,454,438 of your donations to provide humanitarian war relief and recovery depending on the most urgent needs as they evolve. Here’s a roundup of the latest work and impact Razomtsi have been up to:
- Fulfilled a total of 282 aid requests from territorial defense units, hospitals, and field hospitals across Ukraine. In the past several weeks, 62 of those made it into the hands of end users in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv regions in eastern Ukraine(an area that’s currently undergoing heavy fighting).
- Procured and delivered 100 wound vac machines (vacuum assisted closure that removes fluids from the wound and pulls its edges together) to hospitals in Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Chernivtsi.
- Procured and delivered 23 pickup trucks for paramedics to aid in the evacuation of wounded across hot spots of the war to help save lives of Ukrainian armed forces, joined by brave Ukrainian civilians.
On April 20th Razom held its first Ukrainian Village Comprehensive Immigration Clinic that screened and consulted more than 50+ Displaced Ukrainians (DU) at an all-day event. It resulted with over 30 DUs qualifying for temporary protected status. Razom volunteer attorneys partnered with New York Legal Services Group – NYLAG to run the event and continue working on these cases free of charge (worth upwards of $45,000 in legal services). Thanks to its partnerships with private law firms in the city, NYLAG is also able to cover filing fees for every DU, worth at least $36,000.
New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Commissioner Manuel Castro gave an opening address welcoming newly-arrived Displaced Ukrainians and reminded them that it does not matter if they have lived in NYC for 50 years or for one week, they are already New Yorkers and very much welcomed here. Many DUs simply cannot afford to hire experienced immigration attorneys to handle their cases, which puts them at risk of making errors when filing themselves or receiving inadequate advice by non-licensed (yet more affordable) “consultants.”
This immigration clinic wouldn’t have been possible without the partnership of NYLAG, Cornerstone Church NYC (who provided space and refreshments), IRC, Ukrainian Jersey City, and NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. Razom’s next immigration clinic will take place on May 6.
The blockade of Azovstal in besieged Mariupol is ongoing. Bear witness to the children sheltering in the fortress-like steel mill with over 2,000 Ukrainian fighters and civilians for weeks. Watch this. These children do not have to die. Commander of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, Serhiy Volyna, filmed a message directly from Azovstal detailing exactly how we can save them. Watch it here.
Ukraine can stop russia only if it receives critical weapons from its international partners, such as heavy artillery, heavy-armored vehicles, air defense systems, and combat aircrafts. Therefore we call on our friends and supporters to join the social media campaign #ArmUkraineNow by taking a photo with the hashtag and going to social media to appeal to the leadership of your state, or to the international community at large, to provide critical heavy weapons to Ukraine.
Check out Razom’s new Advocacy page on our website to learn more about how you can educate yourself (and the public) about Ukraine. We provide resources about upcoming rallies, how to contact your representatives, and other creative ways to get involved in advocating for Ukraine.
For example this week, Razomtsi with other Ukrainian activists projected a Ukrainian flag on the russian ambassador’s luxurious townhouse in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with the message that Putin is a war criminal and Zelensky is a hero. Ashley Kernitsky, SVP, Group Creative Director, Brand Experience at BCW Global designed the graphic projection.
Meanwhile Razom’s Advocacy Team has carried out over 20 visits and engagements since the start of the war by meeting with high schools and universities, representatives’ offices, and activists and representatives of different communities. Some notable visits included a meeting with Safi Rauf, a Afghan-American Naval reservist very recently released by the Taliban, and running a lecture for the Ukrainian Diplomatic Academy for the diplomatic corps stationed all over the world, including those in Kazakstan, Cuba, and Japan consulates.
Here’s your roundup of events to consider supporting that are fundraising for a good cause (like Razom’s Emergency Response project!):
- On Friday, April 22 at 10pm EDT the DJ collective Foreign Posse is hosting a Stand With Ukraine party at Karvouna Mezze on Manhattan.
- Chicago Artists for Ukraine have organized a fundraising art sale and exhibit on Saturday, April 23 from 4-11pm CDT and Sunday, April 24 from 12-3pm CDT with all proceeds from ticket and art sales going to Razom.
- On Saturday, April 23 urbanStages is hosting a Music Marathon For Ukraine at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm with all proceeds going to Razom’s Emergency Response.
- On Saturday, April 23 Arjana and Ivan, an acoustic duo based in NYC known for their unique takes and creative arrangements of tunes new and old, will be performing a benefit concert for Ukraine at the Nite Spot Night series at the MAC. More info here.
- On Saturday, April 23 Bier Station will join with the Ukrainian Club of Kansas City, MO for an all-day benefit to support Razom. They’re also hosting a silent auction online so you can participate even if you’re not in Missouri!
- On Thursday, April 28 at 7-9pm in Brooklyn, NY Soapbox Gallery will run a 3-day tribute to Ukrainian music and culture.
- On Saturday, April 30 from 2pm – 9:15pm EDT The Otto’s Benefit for Ukraine at Otto’s Shrunken Head in NYC will have a lineup of singer songwriters and bands with all proceeds from the concert going to Razom.
- On Saturday, April 30 from 3:30-7:30pm the Hudson Valley Relief Benefit will feature guest speakers, music, food, and a silent auction. Get you tickets and join Novellas Restaurant in New Paltz, NY to support Razom’s Emergency Response project!
- On Saturday, April 30 at 10-11:30am Pacific time Barnsdall Arts is hosting a Ukrainian Art Workshop via Zoom to learn about Petrykivka painting. All proceeds go to Razom.
- On Saturday, April 30 at 1pm EDT, Weave A Real Peace (WARP) will host Ukrainian textile artists Halyna Shepko (New York), Daryna Alieksieienko (Kyiv), Andriy Pyshkar (Ternopil), and Yaroslava Tkachuk (Lviv) for a discussion about their work within the Ukrainian weaving traditions. Continuing Textile Traditions: Ukraine is a special program (online) to raise relief funds for Razom.
- On Sunday, May 1, 7-9pm EDT the Arts Center of Carrboro, NC will host an Evening of Bold Stories to support Ukrainian refugees.
- On Sunday, May 1 at 2pm EDT the Ukrainian American Business and Professionals Association and artist Dianna Derhak will host Sunflowers for Ukraine – Paint Sunday Fundraiser with all proceeds going to support the Ukrainian Documentary Film Project about the current war.
- On Tuesday, May 3 at 7pm the Church Street School for Music and Art in NYC will host a Concert For Ukraine featuring violinist Nadia Khodakovska and members of CSSMA faculty. All proceeds will go to Razom. To reserve tickets email tobywine@churchstreetschool.org.
- On Friday, May 6 from 7-10pm the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, MI will be hosting a concert to benefit relief efforts through Razom. More info here.
- On Saturday, May 7 Gold’s Gym in Poughkeepsie, NY is hosting the 8th Annual Peace and Harmony Invitational with all proceeds benefiting Ukraine.
- On May 17 DevOpsDays Ukraine (part of the global DevOpsDays family) is hosting a virtual conference benefiting Razom to to discuss DevOps during crisis, incident, and business continuity management and share Ukrainian DevOps expertise.
- On May 21, a local group of runners in Cheshire, CT are hosting a 5K run/walk in their town to fundraise for Razom. Learn more info on how to join them or contribute to their GoFundMe page go here.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and continue to #StandWithUkraine.
Stay Razom.
Little Italy and China Town on April 16, 2022