NU2015toprint

Nova Ukraine Annual Report 2015

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About Nova Ukraine

Nova Ukraine is a charity organization in California. Since inception Nova Ukraine

raised over $100,000, participated in the collection of a 40 ft. container of clothes for

refugees, and organized many cultural events.

Our mission is three-fold:

1. To support Ukraine in its effort to build a strong civil society and eliminate

corruption;

2. To provide humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups and individuals in Ukraine;

3. To raise awareness about Ukraine in the United States and throughout the world.

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Providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups and

individuals in Ukraine

Major Project with Ukraine Relief

This summer we took part in a major project organized by Ukraine Relief with support from Nova

Ukraine. It was coordinated by Olena Stadnyuk.

The entire project was made possible because of generous donations and outstanding cooperation of

the people of the Bay Area. Hundreds of people donated money to this project or volunteered their

time. They spent many hours sorting and packing donations over the months of April and May,

2015.

Overall, Nova Ukraine volunteers collected over 900 boxes of clothes, shoes, food, diapers and

medical supplies. They were packed into a 40-ft container. The container was shipped on May 19,

2015. It was in transit for about 8 weeks. You can find a press release and a video about the project

at the following link: http://vidia.org/2015/40205;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfuzYIDrUIM

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Gathering Computers for Ukraine

In the summer and fall of 2015 we started gathering computers in Silicon Valley for educational

facilities in Ukraine. We collect: computers, laptops or tablets, LCD monitors (we do not accept

CRT monitors), routers and hubs, etc. The goal is to collect several hundreds of used but usable

computers. We pass this equipment to volunteer groups in Ukraine who help with Internet access

and IT education for those in need: children, displaced persons, remote schools, etc.

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Focus on Educational Programs

Nova Ukraine has a particular focus on organizing seminars, lectures and panel discussions. In 2015

we managed to host several educational events: a panel discussion of the Future of Ukraine, a

celebration of a worldwide adventure of two Ukrainian journalists, and Slavko Vakarchuk’s lecture

in Stanford.

Panel Discussion about the Future of Ukraine

On February 13, 2015, we held a round-table discussion with three experts in the fields of Ukrainian

politics, history, economy and international relations (see http://bit.ly/panel_2015). The topic of the

discussion was “The Future of Ukraine”. Dr. Taras Kuzio, Dr. Alina Polyakova and Dr. Valeria

Korablyova shared their expert opinions with the Bay Area Ukrainians and engaged the audience in

a discussion on the following topics:

1. The Future of Ukraine: Weak State, Strong Society?

2. Pros and cons of decentralization in Ukraine

3. The Future of Ukraine: The place of Ukraine in Europe

4. The Future of Russia–Ukraine relations

5. What are the domestic obstacles to radical reform and fighting corruption?

6. What have we learned from Maidan II?

7. How can the diaspora become involved and what should the US and Canada do?

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Vakarchuk’s Lecture at Berkeley

On November 23, 2015 Svyatoslav Vakarchuk gave a public lecture at the University of California,

Berkeley. The topic of the lecture was “How can Ukraine become a prosperous country in Europe?”

This event was organized by Nova Ukraine and VoxUkraine and hosted by the Institute of European

Studies at UC Berkeley. We were very happy to see that over 150 people attended this event.

His main points were:

1) Stop thinking of Ukraine in terms of the past and focus on the future.

2) Be aware of your geography. Each neighbor requires its’ own approach. You cannot replace your

country; you cannot avoid your neighbors, hide or regard your neighbors in terms of good or bad.

Deal with them.

3) Manage your foreign policy in the ”British way” : "We have no permanent allies,we have no

permanent enemies, we only have permanent interests."

4) Build a robust civil society - at least 10 % of people who care.

5) Every change you make should bring you incrementally closer to your final goal. Adopt this

approach in both personal and political life.

6) Change the school system so Ukrainian children are encouraged to think critically and question

the material and the teachers.

7) Information is very cheap now, so the role of the teacher is changing from being an information

provider to helping children learn who they are and discover their strengths

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Two Ukrainian girls travelling around the world

On October 14, 2015, Nova Ukraine held one of the most inspiring events of the year.

It was devoted to the celebration of the world-wide journey of two Ukrainian journalists, Ann

Morozova and Maria Khandus. The event was held in Mountain View. We cooked and served

authentic Ukrainian food: borscht, mlyntzi (blintzes), and other tasty dishes. The two girls’ story

about their world-wide journey was breathtaking. Their adventure started in Kyiv two years before,

on October 14, 2014. It took them through Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and

many other countries. All along their journey they were celebrated as people’s ambassadors of

Ukraine. They had many life-changing experiences, travelling around the globe on a low budget,

mainly by way of hitchhiking. Their story is the living proof that it is possible to make any dream

real. Our minds and skills can be expanded way further than we think.

Nova Ukraine co-organized this event with AMTimes. AMTimes is the journalists’ travel blog. The

Ukrainian swag was sold at the event, with all donations going to help the victims in Ukraine.

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Organizing charitable performances of Ukrainian

musicians

“Okean Elzy” Concert in San Francisco

On February 25, 2015 Nova Ukraine organized a charity concert of the Ukrainian group Okean Elzy

-"Океан Эльзи - 20 років разом!" The concert was held at the Warfield in San Francisco.

More than 1300 people attended this concert.

Its goal was to equip hospitals and ambulances operating in the area of the military conflict in

Ukraine. Together with “Save Lives Together”, we collected $22,724. It was used to purchase the

much-needed medical equipment which was distributed among Ukrainian hospitals.

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Screenings of Ukrainian Films

On January 29, 2015 we have screened a Ukrainian documentary “Stronger than arms” at Stanford

University. The film was created by a group of independent filmmakers, calling themselves

BABYLON’13. “Stronger than arms” is Ukraine’s history that heats hearts up. “Stronger than arms”

shows the evolution of Ukrainian realities from the spontaneous attempt to capture the

Administration of the President on December 1 to the bloody battles continuing today in the ruins of

Donetsk airport. It gives a chance to the viewer to feel the uplifting and desperation of the Maidan

and the war in the Eastern Ukraine.

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Celebration of Ukrainian Winter Songs and Christmas Carols

In December, 2015 we co-sponsored three events dedicated to the celebration of Ukrainian Winter

Songs and Christmas Carols. On December 11 there was a concert1 by the Chamber Chorus of the

University of California, Berkeley (Marika Kuzma, Director) and the Yara Arts Group from New

York City (Virlana Tkach, Director). During this concert there was a performance by very special

guests—“Koliadnyky,” Hutsul musicians from the village of Kryvorivnia in the Carpathian

Mountains.

On December 12, 2015, Nova Ukraine held a very special cultural event -- the Koliadky Party in

Mountain View. It was dedicated to spreading the festive cheer and was called “Celebration of

Ukrainian Winter Songs and Christmas Carols.” Nova Ukraine volunteers gathered to welcome the

Koliadnyky: Hutsul musicians from Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine! These talented musicians

performed Ukrainian Christmas songs. It was a wonderful community potluck with hearty Ukrainian

1 The concert was co-sponsored by Nova Ukraine and the Dept. of Music, University

of California, Berkeley.

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food, hot drinks, and lots of singing! On December 13 we co-sponsored another concert2 with these

performers. It was held in the Firebird Slavic Restaurant3 in Sacramento and became a real treat for

the Ukrainian diaspora. The concert also featured Yara Arts Group (Virlana Tkach, Director) from

New York City.

These amazing musicians won our hearts! They have previously performed across Ukraine, in the

United States (New York and Philadelphia) and in Canada (Toronto). They have been winning over

audiences with their rugged singing and intricate instrumental playing. The concerts in Sacramento

and the Bay Area marked their first visit to the West Coast.

Fundraising and Community Building

Fundraising to Support Victims of Violence

In January 2015 the Ukrainian diaspora in the Bay Area donated funds to support victims of terrorist

attack in Mariupol. On January 24-27, 2015 Nova Ukraine volunteers collected $3,256 for hospitals

in Mariupol. We bought supplies that were transferred with official paperwork to the hospitals and

placed on the official hospital inventory lists. We contacted people in Ukraine who we personally

knew in order to make sure the supplies would go to the people in need affected by the terrorists'

attacks.

Hiking in Park Ukraina, Hayward

On February 28, 2015, our volunteers got together for a traditional hike in Park Ukraina in Hayward.

We organized a hike to the site of the farm and burial place of Ukrainian patriot Agapius

Honcharenko.

2 Sponsored by Nova Ukraine and supported by the Department of Music, University

of California, Berkeley. 3 Firebird Slavic Restaurant, 715 Manzanita Avenue Carmichael, Sacramento, CA

95608

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Promoting Ukrainian Cultural Heritage

On Palm Sunday (April 5, 2015) Nova Ukraine participated in a celebration in the Hall of St.

Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Palm Sunday Celebration was a great event for the whole

family, including an entertainment program by the students of Sunday school “Soloveyko” and

“Pysanka Workshop” for adults and children. Over 50 people attended the event. We sold several

items for fundraising. It was great to see that Bay Area Ukrainians keep up their traditions and

inspire a love for their cultural heritage in their children.

Easter Picnic at Sanborn Park

More than 100 people attended this event on April 12, 2015. It was a great day! We greatly enjoyed

this community picnic in the company of compatriots, family and friends. There was dancing and

singing, and games for kids with cute gifts.

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Fundraiser to build a kids camp - Lisova Zastava

In Ukraine, ancient traditions have been preserved to this day. Ukrainians as a nation have profound

respect to their ancestors. We in Nova Ukraine also want to play our part in passing on these

traditions to children.

On July 11, 2015, Nova Ukraine held a traditional Ukrainian celebration - "Ukrainian Summer

Picnic". The purpose was to bring the local Ukrainian diaspora together and remember our

traditions. The event was held at a private house in Mountain View, California. It was attended by

more than 150 Ukrainians. The guests had an opportunity to see Ukrainian customs, to enjoy the

taste of traditional dishes, to learn about Ukrainian summer rites, and to network with their

compatriots. Nova Ukraine collected donations to build a kids camp "Lisova Zastava" for kids of

refugees near Kyiv. We collected and transferred $2,155 to Lisova Zastava.

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Supported veterans to overcome trauma of war

On August 28, 2015, we held one of the tastiest parties of the summer. We were making varenyky,

music and new friends. Many volunteers brought their own musical instruments and we jammed

together for the good cause.

The event was organized by Nova Ukraine to benefit its psychological trauma fund. Our goal was to

fund a grant to Wounded Warrior Ukraine (WWU), a project of Healing War Scars Inc., a

Boston-based NGO, founded by Roman Torgovitsky. WWU is dedicated to empower returning

veterans and civilians alike to overcome the trauma of war, once again become productive members

of society, and to help their peers do the same. A member of Wounded Warrior Ukraine team, Nadia

Shifrin answered questions and provided more information about the project. With over 150 people

participating, we collected over $2,395.

Silicon Valley Fall Festival

On September 12, 2015, Nova Ukraine presented an exhibit promoting Ukrainian culture at the

Silicon Valley Fall Festival. The festival was held at Memorial Park at Stevens Creek Blvd and

Mary Ave in Cupertino . We collected $212 dollars.

Here is how one of our volunteers described the festival:

“The day passed by quickly, and there was no time to get bored, people came by all the time

and asked questions about our country and about our organization. Everyone wanted to take

a photo in the wreaths. Some thought Ukraine is a little country in Latin America or in

Asia”.

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Raising Awareness about Ukraine

Joint Meeting with Razom for Ukraine in NYC

On February 18, 2015, Nova Ukraine organized a meeting with our sister organization “Razom for

Ukraine” in New York and agreed to partner on humanitarian projects to help Ukraine.

Meetings with US Senators and United Nations Officials

Our major goal is to raise awareness about current events in Ukraine and share Ukrainian news

within the United States. We constantly seek opportunities to do so. This past year we had several

such opportunities.

On June 27, 2015, Nova Ukraine co-sponsored an important event -- the United Nations Charter

70th Anniversary in San Francisco. Milena Naymark and Nick Bilogorskiy were the representatives

from Nova Ukraine who attended this event. We were able to meet with the VIP speakers: Nancy

Pelosi, the House Democratic Leader, and Cristina Gallach, Under-Secretary-General for

Communications and Public

Information of the United Nations

(see the photo below). We were

able to use this opportunity to

discuss the situation in Ukraine

and, through these speakers, to ask

the United Nations to step up their

help by starting to supply food to

internally displaced Ukrainians.

We informed the US officials that

there are over a million internally

displaced Ukrainians and made a

plea for UN peacekeepers in

Ukraine to enforce the Minsk

Protocol agreement.

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Participation in the Peace Forum

On September 25, 2015, Nova Ukraine participated in a forum called "Ukraine's Ongoing Battle for

Freedom - The Risk of Western Failure in Political, Economic and Humanitarian Assistance."

The USA-Ukraine Foundation has been holding annual "Ukraine in Washington" events since 2011.

In 2015, with the expectation that Ukraine's current humanitarian crisis would escalate with the

approaching winter season, the USA- Ukraine Foundation decided to organize a forum "Ukraine's

Ongoing Battle for Freedom - The Risk of Western Failure in Political, Economic and Humanitarian

Assistance." It was co-sponsored by the Ukraine Caucus of the House and the Senate Ukraine

Caucus, in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA (Посольство України в США)

Supporting Ukraine in building a strong civil society

Outreach in Ukraine: Events in Kyiv and Kharkiv

On June 9, 2015, Nova Ukraine president Nick Bilogorskiy gave a charity lecture to Kyiv's residents

at co-working space Chasopys. Nick described how Euromaidan events were unfolding in the States,

and how Nova Ukraine charity organization was founded. Nearly 100 people attended this event,

and several hundred dollars were raised to help Ukraine. A similar event was held in Kharkiv.

Global Ukrainians Forum in Kyiv

On July 10-12, 2015, Nova Ukraine had the opportunity to sponsor and participate in the Global

Ukrainians Forum in Kyiv. Global Ukraine provides a networking platform for Global Ukrainians

living all around the world. They create a new Global Village with its center in Kyiv - the Forum

will be attended by Global Ukrainians from the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Europe, Asia and

the Middle East. The sessions of the Forum were broadcast online and had a video connection with

different countries worldwide.

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Program Expenses in 2015