June 2023 Canadian Newsletter

Dear UCC friends 

It was wonderful to see so many communities participating in Vyshyvanka Day a few weeks ago. Thanks to community activism in the past year, there is strong support from Canadians for Ukraine and for Ukrainian displaced persons coming to seek refuge here. 
 
In the coming weeks, Canada will participate in the NATO Leaders Summit. We are working hard to make sure that continued support for Ukraine and stopping Russian war crimes are priorities on the international agenda. 
 
We’re working on a special Community Safety Survey which you’ll see this month, to assess the situation across the country in regard to incidents of hate targeted at our community and supporters of Ukraine. 
 
As we look further into the summer, there will be many camps and recreation programs being planned by dedicated volunteers and supported by our community organizations for children from Ukraine. Thank you to everyone who is hard at work planning and organizing these programs!   
 
Finally, we’ve launched our National Impact Campaign for the month of June. Thank you to everyone who’s made a contribution already to support our advocacy work. Please help us reach your friends and family who may not have yet had a chance to learn about the UCC. 

Слава Україні! Героям Слава!

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Her Heroes! 
Ihor Michalchyshyn
CEO & Executive Director
UCC National Impact Campaign
This June we invite you to make a non-tax-receipted gift directly to the UCC in support of our work.

Together with its member organizations, the UCC has been leading, coordinating, and representing the interests of one of Canada’s largest ethnic communities (1.4 million) since 1940 and has been instrumental in shaping Canada’s social, economic, and political landscape.

Our goal is to raise $35,000 by the end of June. We are asking for non-tax-receipted gifts of $25 or more, and with the support of our many friends we know we can make it!
UCC Updates & News
Vyshyvanka Day 2023

Vyshyvanka unites Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine!

Happy to share with the Ukrainian Canadian community that on this Vyshyvanka Day, Canada's Senators and Members of Parliament of all parties were wearing Vyshyvankas and our Vyshyvanka ribbons. Let us use this moment to reflect on the power of unity and the importance of standing with Ukraine till its victory.

Slava Ukraini! Glory to Canada!
Expel Russian “diplomats” from Canada!

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is renewing its call for the Government of Canada to expel Russia’s “diplomats” from Canada. Representatives of a genocidal, terrorist regime have no place in Canada.
1 million applications to Canada - Ihor Michalchyushyn, CEO -
describes how UCC Helps New Immigrants

Watch UCC's weekly segment on Kontakt speaking about how UCC Helps New Immigrants.
DONOR'S CORNER
Remembering Mrs. Audrey Sojonky

Audrey Sojonky (nee Remenda) was born on May 15, 1939, in Oakburn, Manitoba. In 1974, she moved to Vancouver where she immersed herself in the Ukrainian community. Audrey served in many organizations, both locally and nationally.

Audrey was a team leader of the 500 Canadians deployed to Ukraine- to observe the country’s controversial presidential election of 2004. Her public endeavours ranged from Chair of the West Vancouver School Board, to running for Member of Parliament in the 1993 federal election, to her senior staff position as Policy Coordinator for the B.C. Minister’s Regional Office, from which she retired in 2000.

Audrey was a staunch supporter of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. She believed in our mission of promoting our heritage in Canada and advocating for the strong support of Ukraine. She served on the UCC National Board of Directors and as President of UCC British Columbia. Audrey was the recipient of many awards, including the UCC Leadership Award in 2013 (Vancouver).

In addition to volunteering, Audrey was a dedicated UCC monthly donor. I had the honour of working with Audrey on several boards; she was skilled in maintaining protocols and efficiency. When Audrey was chairing a meeting, she made it look so easy; she was often called upon to chair an AGM or conference.

Audrey will be remembered as a great leader in the Ukrainian Canadian community who loved Canada and her Ukrainian heritage.

At the age of 83, Mrs. Sojonky passed away on April 25, 2023, in West Vancouver, B.C. and was laid to rest in Mikado, Saskatchewan.

Audrey, we will all miss your love for our community.

May you rest in peace. Вічна Пам’ять.

Lesia M. Skyba
UCC National Fundraising Manager
C 437.424.5880
UPCOMING EVENTS

Persephone Theatre (Saskatoon, SK) - October 11 - 29, 2023 | Mainstage Theatre
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (Winnipeg, MB) - November 1 - 18, 2023 | Warehouse Theatre
The Hnatyshyn Foundation: Ukraine - Heritage, Spirit and Future: A Fundraising Gala

A hopeful celebration of Ukrainian & Canadian artists in concert. The exceptionally gifted winners of The Hnatyshyn Foundation’s cross-Canadian awards program will perform contemporary, folkloric, and classical dance and music for a one-night-only fundraising gala.

Sunday, 25 June 2023 at Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, Ottawa, ON
COMMUNITY NEWS
Congratulations to James and Louise Temerty on their extraordinary achievements as they receive honourary degrees from the University of Toronto.

Their entrepreneurial journey and philanthropic endeavors have made a profound impact on the Canadian community and beyond. From their historic donation to the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine to their establishment of various centers for healthcare and education, their generosity knows no bounds.
We believe that it is critical for young Ukrainians, displaced in Canada by the war to feel the support of our community should they wish to continue their advanced education.

The Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) has set up a special fund with the Shevchenko Foundation to provide bursaries to deserving displaced Ukrainian students who require financial assistance to further their education while in Canada.

Bursaries in the amount of $5,000 each will be made available to applicants, who are enrolled in Canadian post-secondary academic institutions, and fulfill all application requirements.

For more information on the bursary and to apply visit the TSF website: CUF Bursary Fund for Displaced Post-Secondary Ukrainian Students
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