Almost a month ago, we raised $35,900 for IFAKs (Individual First Aid Kits) for our Ukrainian military through the Ukrainian American Freedom Foundation at the Sunflowers of Solidarity Benefit Art Auction!
NOW, I am harnessing the spirit of all those who came together in solidarity through art and am carrying it forward to share the power and beauty of art with Ukrainian refugee youth and families in Warsaw, Poland this summer. There has been a huge influx of refugees to Poland and Warsaw has become one of the major hubs.
I have formed a connection with the American School of Warsaw who has been instrumental in helping Ukraine and Ukrainians in myriad ways through their #ASW for Ukraine campaign: https://www.aswarsaw.org/community/aswforukraine. My former colleagues and friends, The Erricksons who I worked with at Nichols in Buffalo, are now teaching at ASW and living in Warsaw with their daughters. They graciously connected me with the school.
I will fund my own way including housing. This fundraiser is strictly to raise money for art supplies and materials, journals, bilingual storybooks, large duffle bags for transport, cost of baggage, possible toys for the youngest, and any other workshop expenses that may surface including food for the youth.
I am arriving to Warsaw on June 22nd and will be leading 4 week-long workshops for children ages 5-12 during the weeks of June 27th and July 4th. There will be an AM session for two and a half hours and a PM one. Additionally, I will offer an Intergenerational workshop (for the entire family unit) on one of the weekends plus I will be holding a weekend workshop with a group of Ukrainian orphans an hour outside of Warsaw.
My intention is to document the entire experience from start to finish. It may take on the form of a website or blog - I will keep you posted and update shortly. Currently, I've created a Facebook page titled "ART for Ukrainian Refugee Youth", this is where I will currently include updates. With the short window of time for planning - I am putting this fundraising request out into the universe as I did with Sunflowers Of Solidarity Benefit Art Auction.
We all know the dire need in this moment is for humanitarian aid for Ukraine - we have been doing the work and will continue to procure funds for this need as long as the war continues BUT there are so, so many children who have been forced to flee the only place they've ever called home with a majority of them having to leave their fathers and, in some cases, mothers, behind to protect their homeland. Some of these children are orphans, too. They are now, like millions of refugees around the world, in a foreign place with a foreign language and culture trying to make sense of their new reality.
I want to offer them the space (physical and emotional) to feel a sense of belonging; to connect with others and themselves through the creative process; give them a chance to play, explore, wonder, dream and explore; and offer them a safe place to share and communicate their own stories.
Will you help me make this a reality? Any size contribution would be so greatly appreciated.
P.S. Exciting possibilities are on the horizon with the potential of also working with over 60 Ukrainian refugee youth in Chicago, Illinois who arrived since the beginning of the war and are currently enrolled at St. Nicholas Ukrainian School. Will keep you abreast with developments.
Thank you for consideration! Dyakuyu! Slava Ukraini!
