Principle #2 – Let go of the negative and find hope in humanity.
The details are coming together for the URI/KDU fundraiser at the #1 ranked winery in San Diego, Koi Zen Cellars. Gerald Dukes, guitarist extraordinaire, has generously volunteered to be the entertainment for our fundraiser. Dana and I had the privilege of watching his performance at another winery last Saturday. He was fantastic! If you want a relaxing afternoon with wine, good music, and meaningful conversations for a good cause, please join us for our Ukrainian fundraiser at Koi Zen Cellars on Sunday, March 12, 2:00 pm-5:00 pm. We are still taking donations for the silent auction. If you, your group, your non-profit, or your organization would like to donate an item or service to this fundraising event, please respond to this email, and I will reach out to you. Thank you!
“Relieve the crisis. Thoughtfully. With discipline and Heart. Now.”
It’s been almost a year since Putin and his disgusting army started a senseless war in Ukraine. About 8 million displaced Ukrainians have been welcomed to many countries in Europe. Over 1,500,000 Ukrainians have settled in Poland, including 200,000 in Kraków. And hope is what URI, KDU, and YOU have given Ukrainian families who have fled their homeland. The Dębniki Community Center has helped 1,000 Ukrainian women and children per month with Polish and English classes, psychotherapy, daycare, and career counseling to make their transition a bit easier.
As you can imagine, war trauma has affected Ukrainian women and children. Weekly art therapy is offered at the community center. Check out the art created this week!
Polish language classes started in January and will run through June for children ages 10-15 and 16–24. These classes are organized by Internationaler Bund Polska in cooperation with the Kraków City Education Department and sponsored by the United Nations Children’s International Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
The space expansion of the Kocham Dębniki Community Center is on target and scheduled to open on February 18, a week before the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. By doubling our space, we will increase our capacity to provide needed services from 1,000 Ukrainian women and children per month to 2,000 per month. Thank you for generously providing the donations that made this possible.
The work of KDU has been recognized by the City of Kraków, radio stations, and a Pearl Jam concert. The latest was last week, as Olga Piasecka Niec and Lucja Malec-Kornajew, two leaders of KDU, were guests on Kraków’s local radio station. Funding for the community center is coming in from local sources and international organizations, but we still need your help. If you would like to help relieve the Ukrainian crisis, please see ways to contribute at the end of this email.
Olga Piasecka Niec and Lucja Malec-Kornajew at Kraków Radio Station.
I feel privileged to work with the amazing URI and KDU teams. Their compassion and tireless hard work bring hope to Ukrainian families and all of us involved with this crisis. In our country, we may feel divided, yet working with the Poles and Ukrainians, I am reminded that hope and love can bring us together. We have one dream, one heart, and one world. Hope for love and peace on earth. Thank you for your support and your support for our Ukrainian friends. I appreciate you being in my circle of light. Be positive and stay safe. #lovewins #peaceforukraine
Much love,
Cindy
P.S. Starting in February, the newsletter will change from weekly to bi-weekly. Thank you for your continued support in relieving the Ukrainian crisis.
HOW TO MAKE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UKRAINIAN RELIEF INITIATIVE
All contributions are fully tax-deductible through HCC, our registered 501(c)(3) passthrough charity.
TO CONTRIBUTE BY CHECK:
Make your check payable to **Hispanic Community Council** – (VERY IMPORTANT: not to Ukraine Relief Initiative) and send it to the following address:
HCC – URI
c/o John Kersey
208 Liberty Street
Warren, PA 16365
Please indicate “Ukrainian Relief Initiative” in the check memo and include a note with your contact info (address, phone, email).
TO CONTRIBUTE ELECTRONICALLY BY PAYPAL:
Use this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WMYJHS9UVMWY2. PayPal goes through the “Hispanic Community Council,” our 501(c)3 passthrough organization.
In the memo, please include your name, address, phone #, and email so we can process your tax receipt.