Last week we got to channel some of our massive gratitude. For the first time ever, the Ukrainian community was invited to participate in the 37th Annual Immigrants Parade in NYC this past Saturday. In the spirit of unity, Ukrainians showed up to hold signs thanking our fellow immigrants for the solidarity of their countries with Ukraine. This unity must remain at the center of our actions, and your support means more than you know! Thank you for continuing to show up for, and support, Ukraine.
Dear Razom community,
Sometimes it feels like we don’t say “thank you!” enough simply because we can’t get to sending a receipt of your donation fast enough. But please know that we see you and we are immensely grateful for your support, allowing us to continue to focus on making maximum impact in saving lives in Ukraine. Here’s the work we’ve been up to since last week:
- Razom and SMART Medical Aid made their second stop on the “Let’s start our hearts together” campaign this time in Dnipro. We conducted another free CPR training in downtown,and installed three more automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) across the most crowded areas of the city.
- Our volunteer activity at the NJ warehouse was at its peak last week after we had to take a short break in sorting and packing due to a shortage of tourniquets on the market. Maintaining high quality of the supplies we procure and/or deliver to Ukraine is one of our top priorities as it can be the difference between losing and saving a life. If you know some Ukrainian, you can hear a first hand account here of a tourniquet in an IFAK packed by our amazing volunteers saving a life.
Some updates from our Hospitals Team who coordinates and manages the shipment of our in-kind donations, which continue to come in steadily from our amazing community of individual donors and partnering organizations:
- The Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) has donated 8 pallets of medications to our partners Zdorovi and Patients of Ukraine, the shipment is already on its way.
- Our warehouse team in Ukraine received yet another generous donation from Americares that included medications for rare diseases and other urgent medical supplies that we’ve delivered to hospitals in eastern Ukraine.
- In partnership with SMART Medical Aid, we procured, delivered and distributed medical equipment like a C-Arm X-Ray Machine and Anesthesia Machine for hospitals in Ukraine.
- Remember that sea container we shipped in early-April of FIGS Scrubs and durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs and walkers) from University of Massachusetts Medical Center and the Elmhurst/Coney Island Hospital? Well it arrived in Ukraine this week! Our partners Zdorovi are coordinating the distribution of these supplies to hospitals need across Ukraine.
- Last week our volunteers sorted for shipment 2 pallets-worth of medical supplies donated by various private individuals to Ukraine. Some of the supplies included 3 boxes of ophthalmology medications and supplies that we’ll be delivering to EyeCare for Ukraine.
- Make sure you don’t miss reading the heartfelt letter of gratitude we received from a Lviv Clinical Hospital of Emergency and Intensive Care after our donation last week. It underlines how important it is to support Ukrainian healthcare system and infrastructure right now.
The Razom Grant team continues to vet grassroots initiatives in Ukraine that are responding quickly to the needs of civilians and IDPs in Ukraine, and awarding grants to further and accelerate their work. Below is a spotlight of one of those groups:
The “First Ukrainian Association of Chefs” was awarded $30,000 towards uniting Kharkiv kitchens and volunteers to deliver ready-made meals to people in shelters, Kharkiv subway stations, remote areas, and small villages in the Kharkiv region. Well-known chef and the founder of the First Ukrainian Association of Chefs, Oleksiy Latkin, was forced to move with his family from Kharkiv to Chernivtsi. His thoughts remained with those who were less fortunate and couldn’t leave, so Oleksiy started to procure and deliver groceries for Kharkiv residents and distribute them with the help of his friends and fellow chefs.
Razom’s grant enabled the team to deliver around 9800 hot dinners and 4285 food packages to the most vulnerable populations of Kharkiv. Everyday volunteers worked around the clock to deliver 500 to 900 hot meals to subway stations, shelters, and Kharkiv districts that suffered from the enemy’s bombardments. Food packages were provided to people in Rogan, Pivnichna Saltivka, Kholodna Gora, Zhukovsky, and other areas most affected by the war.
Razom continues to support the First Ukrainian Association of Chiefs and has recently provided a second grant that will help Kharkiv residents.
Razom’s Advocacy team will host Twitter spaces every Friday at 1:00 pm EST where you can learn about what’s been done to support Ukraine through this brutal invasion and war, and what everyone can do next. Catch last week’s recording of Ukrainian Days in D.C. Twitter Space here! A quick recap:
- Over a 2-day period, the Razom team split up to meet with over 20 Congressional Offices across both parties.
- In those meetings they asked for the following:
- That russia be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism
- Increased sanctions on russian banks
- Provide longer range artillery to save lives
- Stop illegal child deportations
- Increase USAID funding to Ukrainian organizations
If you or Ukrainians you know require help inside the tristate area after recently traveling to the U.S. from Ukraine, please share info about Razom’s next immigration clinic, sponsored by the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG):
Наступна імміграційна клініка (консультація) із питань ТПС (temporary protected status): https://forms.gle/i8KbhdEaouicp3gE6
Безкоштовна допомога і наші партнери спонсорують реєстраційні збори.
Четвер, 16 ЧЕРВНЯ 2022, початок о 09-00 ранку
Подія проходитиме у приміщенні Церкви Корнерстоун.
Місце: 59 Cooper Square, Lower Level, New York, NY 10003 (біля Astor Place в Українському Селі)
The East Village in New York City is where Razom was born back in 2014 and even though today our community spans the globe, and our work several countries, the Ukrainian Village will always be our home. So it is a great honor to be a part of the 2022 Annual Meeting and Village Awards hosted by Village Preservation and The Cooper Union TODAY at 6pm at the historic Great Hall.
Village Preservation is celebrating its work over the past year to protect the architectural and cultural heritage of Greenwich Village, the East Village, and NoHo and their event will also honor the diverse people, businesses, and organizations that help to make those neighborhoods so special. Razom is being honored along with some other neighborhood institutions. Please join us to pre-register for the event and celebration here.
Below is a roundup of events (info panels, concerts, film screenings, gallery shows, and other fun/informative community gatherings) we most recommend you check out. Engage with brilliant voices from Ukraine and find exciting ways to support fundraising efforts.
In Seattle, Washington: On Sunday, June 19 at 6pm the SIFF Egyptian Theater is hosting a screening of Winter on Fire, including Q&A with the Director, Evgeny Afineevsky. All proceeds will benefit the Ukrainian Association of Washington State.
In New York:
- Until June 23rd, Gallery Arte Azulejoin partnership with Mila Rabij Arts Consulting
to presentYana Bystrova: Approaching a Chaotic Reality. Currently based in Paris, Bystrova is from Kyiv and is a third generation artist in her family. Her work has evolved from figurative to abstract and hybrid forms of expression, with a strong conceptual emphasis on color, the ambiguity of perception, and interpretation.
In Virginia: On June 24from 6-19pm the Beach Gallery in Virginia Beach is hosting a Hope for Ukraine Art Show & Silent Auction with all proceeds going to either Razom or the World Central Kitchen.
In Ohio:
- On Saturday, June 25 at 7pmthe Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America will perform “Amplify The Voice: A Benefit Concert For Ukraine” at the Cleveland Orchestra with ticket proceeds benefiting Razom.
- If you’d like to learn and immerse yourself in a Ukrainian musical experience, consider joining the Kobzarska Sich Bandura and Folklore Summer Programs from August 7-20 at All Saints Camp in Emlenton, PA.
- On Sunday, June 26 from 5:30-10pm Oberig Hnizdychiv (an NGO from Ukraine) in partnership with Razom are hosting a fundraising evening atThe Woodward Theater in Cincinnati titled “Charmed – an Event for Ukraine“including dinner, a raffle, cultural education, entertainment and a live auction.
In Pennsylvania: On Sunday, June 26 from 6:30-8pm the Pittsburgh Ukrainian community is hosting a concert at Carnegie Carnegie Music Hall to raise funds for humanitarian aid for Ukraine (including Razom’s work).
Online/virtually: FairTrade Caravans is hosting a fundraising event to benefit Razom for the month of June. Their unique fair trade products are made or grown with: no child labor, fair pay, safe working conditions, and sustainable practices.
Thank you so much for reading this newsletter, for keeping up to date with Razom, and for your support of Ukraine. We’re so glad to be on this journey together.
Stay razom.