Tag: Even the Brave Struggle

Fundraiser Concert Series for Even the Brave Struggle

CUF depends on compassionate Canadian communities and individuals like you to fulfill our critical mission: delivering life-saving humanitarian aid to Ukraine. We’re profoundly grateful for champions like the Toronto Bandura Festival, which is organizing two powerful fundraising concerts this spring. In the face of Russia’s brutal aggression, music has become not just a cultural expression, but a powerful form of resistance, healing, and unity for Ukrainians. Join us in this vital cause—attend these extraordinary concerts to experience the power of the bandura, while directly supporting those who have given everything in the defense of freedom.

Kobzars and bandurists have been prominently featured in Ukrainian armies since the time of the Zaporizhian Kozaks. In this war, music has been fundamental in helping maintain good mental health for Ukrainian soldiers, veterans and civilians. The bandura has played an essential role in that effort. Songs and melodies played on Ukraine’s national instrument continue to support the morale of Ukrainian defenders and help them sustain their faith, mental fortitude and belief in victory. Modern bandurists like Maryna Krut, Taras Stoliar, Liubov Shipiliuk, and many others regularly play for Ukrainian troops near the frontline and perform abroad to fundraise money for various essential initiatives and fundraisers supporting Ukraine as well as raise awareness of the numerous war crimes Russia is committing in their country.

In honour of this tradition, the newly founded Toronto Bandura Festival is organizing a two-show bandura concert series – Bandura on Bloor in an effort to fundraise for the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Two concerts are scheduled this Spring. On Friday, March 21, the first show will feature New York-based soprano and bandurist Teryn Kytasty-Kuzma with an opening act from Toronto-native bandurist Yarko Antonevych at the Heliconian Hall in Toronto. On Friday, May 30, the second show will feature bandurist Mariia Smolinska from Odesa, who currently lives in Victoria, BC, and Toronto-based bandura-viola fusion band DIVKA at the Royal York Road United Church in Toronto. Both concerts will be followed by a reception for all the guests and are a delightful opportunity to spend one’s Friday night with the magical sounds of the bandura!

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Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

As Ukraine endures the devastating effects of war, the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal remains steadfast in supporting initiatives that provide essential psychological assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict. Today, we are proud to highlight our impactful partnership with the Open Doors Psychological Counseling Center. 

The scale of Ukraine’s mental health crisis cannot be overstated. Recent assessments by experts indicate that over 15 million Ukrainians—approximately 40-50% of the population—will require psychological support as a result of the war. The statistics are particularly alarming for vulnerable groups: 75% of Ukrainian children show symptoms of psychological trauma, while 40% of military personnel and veterans will need specialized mental health support (with 60-80% showing signs of acute trauma). Behind these numbers are real people—families torn apart, children who have lost their sense of security, and brave defenders carrying invisible wounds of trauma.

With CUF’s support, the Open Doors Psychological Counseling Center has made remarkable progress in addressing these critical needs. In 2024 alone, they have served 5,100 individuals and provided 13,046 hours of psychological services. Their network of 60 trained psychologists specializes in trauma therapy, family psychology, and child psychology, employing evidence-based therapeutic methods including EMDR, cognitive-processing therapy, and other trauma-informed approaches. 

Beyond direct services, our partnership is building Ukraine’s capacity for long-term mental health support. The International Institute of Postgraduate Education, part of Open Doors’ organizational structure, trains psychologists in evidence-based therapy methods. Thanks to your generous contributions, CUF has helped fund the education of 40 students who completed the program in November 2024, as well as 20 new students from seven different Ukrainian regions who began their studies in June 2024.

The impact of this work is best expressed by the program graduates themselves. One shared: “Thanks to supervision with Ukrainian and international specialists, I gained confidence in my abilities as a therapist. Now I can call myself a trauma therapist and am ready to help those who need support.” Another noted: “I’m convinced that investing in knowledge is one of the most valuable investments. The training was filled with sessions, practical tasks, and weekly meetings with supervisors.” 

As demand for psychological services continues to grow, our partners are working to expand their network of service providers across Ukraine and train more specialists in advanced trauma therapy approaches. Your continued support enables this vital work to reach more veterans, families, and children in need. 

We are particularly proud of how this partnership complements our “Even the Brave Struggle” campaign, which focuses specifically on mental health support for veterans and civilians. According to Open Doors’ data, 52.5% of psychological consultations are provided to veterans and military families, addressing critical issues like PTSD symptoms, sleep deprivation, and combat-related trauma. By supporting initiatives like this one, we are creating a comprehensive approach to mental health care that serves Ukraine’s defenders and the civilian population they protect.

Your generosity makes this healing work possible. Your donation to the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal’s “Even the Brave Struggle” campaign, running until April 6th, 2025, will help provide mental health services and rehabilitation to veterans and address other urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine. Your contribution today will be doubled thanks to the Myhal Family Foundation, which is generously matching donations up to $1 million until April 6th. Thank you for standing with Ukraine not just in rebuilding the country, but in supporting the mental well-being of its people.

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Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.

Myhal Family Foundation matches donations through April 6th

Three years ago, millions of Ukrainians woke up to Russian missile strikes.

Today, on this February 24^th, we mark;

• Three years of unwavering Ukrainian courage.
• Three years of extraordinary generosity from Canadians.
• Three years of Ukrainians demonstrating their values to the world.

You, too, can join thousands of Canadians supporting Ukraine through the CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal’s “Even the Brave Struggle” campaign. Starting today, your impact will be doubled.

The Myhal Family Foundation matches every donation up to $1 million until April 6th.

As Canadians, we’ve shown that when human dignity and a rule-based order are at stake, our nation doesn’t simply offer sympathy – we take action. Today, one of Canada’s most respected voices has joined our cause. General Roméo Dallaire, a renowned humanitarian and mental health advocate, knows firsthand the invisible wounds of war. On the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, General Dallaire delivers a powerful message about “Even the Brave Struggle” and his recent trip to Ukraine.

Thanks to Canadian generosity, together, we’ve already:

✓ Delivered and committed $93 million in humanitarian aid

✓ Reached 6 million people with critical aid

✓ Shown that Canada’s support never wavers

However, with international aid being uncertain from Ukraine’s number one ally, Ukrainians need the support of Canadians more than ever.

Your gift today to the “Even the Brave Struggle” campaign will be doubled, thus allowing us to deliver more support to those who need it the most.

From coast to coast to coast, Canadians have demonstrated remarkable compassion for Ukraine. Today, we can do even more. Every dollar makes a difference. Every gift saves lives. By donating today, not only will your donation be doubled, but thanks to a special extension from the Government of Canada, donations made before February 28th, 2025, can be applied to the 2024 fiscal year. This means your contribution today, in 2025, will not only help Ukrainians in need but also qualify for your tax filing for 2024.

When vulnerable communities in Ukraine need us, Canadians act.

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Background

CUF-UCC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been established jointly by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) to formalize a coordinated approach in providing humanitarian assistance quickly and efficiently to those in need in Ukraine to address any further aggression by Russia. The main efforts of cooperation are to provide humanitarian relief in the areas of assistance to displaced persons, medical care, emergency shelter and food security.