By Mariana Savka, Program Manager, UCC.
Across Canada, a new generation of leaders is emerging with a fervent commitment to Ukrainian heritage, community engagement, and supporting Ukraine. These young individuals, known as Youth Ambassadors, represent a new initiative by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
The annual eight-month program is a volunteer fellowship that offers Ukrainian Canadian leaders between the ages of 18 and 30 the opportunity to develop expertise in project management, policy, advocacy, and coalition building among other skills. Through a rigorous process, UCC selected twenty-one young people to the inaugural cohort of ambassadors.
We asked Youth Ambassadors, what motivated them to get engaged.
Mykhailo Makogonsky says, “growing up in Ukraine, I was shaped by our cultural heritage and the resilience of our people. After moving to Canada, I felt a strong responsibility to advocate for Ukraine and raise awareness about our nation’s history and current challenges.” Mykhailo is an avid volunteer who founded an Interact Club (Rotary Club for youth) at his school and volunteered for Maple Hope Foundation, the Rotary Club of White Rock, and Service Canada.
Mykhaylo Makogonsky
Olha Shevchuk is a student of political science at the University of Winnipeg. Her motivation to get engaged stems from a deep-rooted passion for her Ukrainian heritage and a desire to make a tangible impact on her community. Olha says that “the chance to develop vital leadership skills, work alongside like-minded individuals, and contribute to the betterment of Ukraine is truly inspiring and rewarding.”
Olha Shevchuk
Olha-Sofiia Bodnar, who’s a Youth Ambassador from Ontario, mentions that she wants to make more connections with Ukrainian-Canadian youth while also contributing to the community. She says, “there are some services and resources I wish I had in my community as a young person, and if I can’t find those resources, I think it’s a great idea to create them myself.”
Olha-Sofiia Bodnar
The selected Youth Ambassadors represent a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and talents, reflecting the rich tapestry of Canada’s Ukrainian community. They come from 10 provinces and one territory – the Yukon. Many ambassadors recently arrived from Ukraine and have faced unique challenges that they hope to address in the future.
For example, Andrii Biletskyy, who supports Ukrainian newcomers in his capacity as a recruitment partner at Jumpstart Refugee Talent says that “the most pressing issue in our community is the difficulty Ukrainian newcomers face in finding meaningful employment and adjusting to the new job market in Canada. I realized this gap through interactions with newcomers who expressed challenges in navigating the job search process, understanding Canadian work culture, and having their qualifications recognized. Despite their qualifications, many struggle with language barriers and lack of local experience. Addressing this issue is critical to their successful integration and economic empowerment.”
Andrii Biletskyy
To address these and similar issues, the program includes a project component. UCC Youth Ambassadors are required to conceptualize and implement a local project with the support of UCC provincial councils and branches. The inaugural cohort proposed a variety of projects ranging from awareness initiatives to speaking clubs to fundraisers and much more.
We asked some of them to describe the projects in more detail.
Olena Zubrytska is a Youth Ambassador from Ontario who pursues a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Toronto. She says, “as a Youth Ambassador, I aim to evaluate the health needs and outcomes of Ukrainian newcomers to Canada, with a particular focus on identifying gaps in immigrant health support. As a student in healthcare, I am dedicated to understanding and addressing disparities in immigrant health and the challenges of maintaining quality of life. Within this scope, I plan to closely examine mental health outcomes, especially for those fleeing from war-torn regions, and advocate for better resources.” Her goal is to play a role in ensuring that Ukrainian newcomers receive comprehensive and culturally sensitive health care, and that they are equipped with the tools to enhance their overall well-being.
Olena Zubrytska
Sofiia Andrushchak is a student of History and English Literature at the University of Toronto and the founder of the history podcast “What We Need To Know About Ukraine.” She hopes to spark interest in Canadians about Ukraine’s rich history and culture. This will help counter the disinformation often used against Ukraine today. Sofiia says that by raising awareness, she wishes to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Ukraine's place in world history and present day.
Sofiia Andrushchak
“Youth Ambassadors program is an investment in the future leadership of our organization,” says Ihor Michalchyshyn, CEO & Executive Director of the UCC. “The Youth Ambassadors Program aligns with our mission of growing our community, celebrating our Ukrainian Canadian identity, and supporting Ukraine.”
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