Razom together with the famous Ukrainian travel blogger Anton Ptushkin, held a fundraiser in the United States to purchase 10 mobile bath and laundry complexes for the defenders of Ukraine on the front lines.
The fundraiser included two charity meetings with Anton Ptushkin in New York, which drew over 300 attendees, as well as an online auction where people could purchase valuable commemorative items to support the defenders of Ukraine.
Some of the items up for auction included:
A flag with the signatures of three Ukrainian generals — Zaluzhny, Syrsky, and Pavlyuk — which sold for $6,900.
A copy of Time magazine with Valery Zaluzhny on the cover and his autograph, which sold for $5,600.
A baseball bat signed by members of the New York Yankees baseball team, which sold for $3,700.
A bracelet with the “Azovstal” logo and the signature of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, which sold for $2,600.
Chevrons with the image of Patron the Dog, the hero dog who helped detect landmines in Ukraine, which sold for $3,700.
“Before I came to the United States, I tried to raise funds for one bath and laundry complex through my social media in Ukraine,” said Anton Ptushkin. “I was surprised to raise the money we needed in just two hours, and I raised the money for the second complex just within a day. This showed me that Ukrainians are willing to donate to humanitarian items for the military. However, people in Ukraine are also willing to donate to weapons and drones, while American people are more cautious about donating to these things and prefer to donate to humanitarian items. This is why I decided to try to raise money for mobile bath and laundry complexes in the United States. We did our first fundraiser and it was a success, so we decided to continue.”
Ptushkin also said that he chose New York as the starting point for the fundraiser because there is a large Ukrainian diaspora in the city. Jason Birchard, an owner of famous New York restaurant Veselka, generously donated $20,000 from his Stand With Ukraine Fund to the event.
Overall, the fundraiser raised $200,000, which will be used to purchase 10 mobile bath and laundry complexes. The showers are currently being manufactured near Kyiv and will soon be delivered to the front lines.
“It’s great to see that people from all over the world are coming together to support Ukraine,” said Olya Yarichkivska, one of the founders of the Razom foundation and the head of the Razom Heroes program in the United States.
“The money raised from this fundraiser will provide our defenders with much-needed bathing and laundry facilities, which are essential in this hot weather. We will continue to do everything we can to support Ukraine and its defenders.”
The Razom Heroes program is one of the many initiatives of the Razom foundation and the “Together for Ukraine” non-profit that are providing vital assistance to the defenders of Ukraine.
The program has already provided the frontline with over 130,000 tactical first aid kits, 3,000 combat medic backpacks, 100 pickup trucks/evacuation vehicles, 2,000 drones, walkie-talkies, repeaters, generators, starlinks, and other essential items for victory.
Thank you so much for your support and willingness to help Ukraine in such difficult times. So many of you are taking on efforts to support Razom and Ukraine that we are overwhelmed with requests, questions, and proposals. Our team is working tirelessly to scale our efforts to provide what is needed in Ukraine, which can change day by day. Before reaching out to info@razomforukraine.org, review our Frequently Asked Questions below.
We can do this. Together!
Whom can I talk to about corporate funds and/or donation matching?
To discuss donation matching and/or large corporate, organization and funds grants & donations, please send your inquiries to donations@razomforukraine.org. There are hundreds of companies running matching programs with Razom today. You can find ways to donate to Razom, including all banking information and Razom EIN, on our Donate page.
What to do if I want to change my recurring donations?
We’re sorry to hear you haven’t received a receipt for your generous donation to Razom! There are a few ways to troubleshoot this. First, check your inbox and spam folder for an email from donations@razomforukraine.org If you don’t find your receipt after searching for the Donations email address, this may mean that we do not have your email address or mailing address due to the form of payment or platform you used to make the donation. Typically, if you make a donation to Razom via Facebook/Meta, you will receive your donation receipt from Facebook/Meta. Similarly, if you made a donation to Razom through corporate matching or your employer, please ask your employer or company for a receipt. If all else fails or if you still have questions, please contact donations@razomforukraine.org and include your name, amount of donation, and the donation method used. Please wait up to a month for donation processing, especially if you sent us a check in the mail. Thank you!
Can I donate my time and volunteer with Razom?
Thank you for your desire to become a Razom volunteer. Volunteers are fundamental to Razom’s success and ability to make an impact for Ukraine. If you would like to become a volunteer, please fill out this form. Right now, we can’t promise to get back in touch with you immediately, but will email you as soon as we get a new volunteer request from our teams. That said, you don’t have to wait for us to reach out to be able to support and make an impact for Ukraine:
Participate in informational efforts by advocating for Ukraine on your social media. Follow our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter accounts for the latest action items and subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news on how you can advocate for Ukraine in your community and beyond.
Bookmark the Razom HeyLink page for a one-stop-shop of all kinds of links and resources to help Ukraine – and share it with your friends!
Run a fundraiser on behalf of Razom or other organizations doing great work and feel free to get as creative as you can. We’ve had people start personal fundraisers for Razom on social media, host benefit concerts, poetry readings, dinners, make tattoos, produce art, and so many creative ways that get people in their communities involved in helping Ukraine. If you’d like to start a GoFundMe campaign, you can choose Razom as the recipient at their platform here. Email your questions about personal and small fundraisers for Razom to donations@razomforukraine.org.
Can Razom help me volunteer in Ukraine?
Razom is not recruiting volunteers in Ukraine at this time. If you’re intent on going to Ukraine and volunteering, you may find the following resources helpful:
If you’re interested in volunteering for Razom, either remotely or in-person in the New York area, please fill out the Razom Volunteer Form.
If you are a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, one of the most powerful ways you can support Ukraine is by becoming an advocate for Ukraine. Join the Razom Advocacy Network here and you’ll be sent alerts on the next important opportunity to contact your Representatives in Congress about legislation in support of Ukraine.
Please keep in mind that your donations to Razom go a long way in helping Ukraine as well. Consider making a donation to Razom or organizing a fundraiser in your community.
Thank you for your support and willingness to help!
How can I see an overview of Razom work in 2022? How can I catch up on reading the email newsletters from Razom?
Information on planned rallies around the world can be found here. The list is crowdsourced – you can add information about a rally in your city or town to the list by completing a form on their website. If you don’t see any rallies nearby – consider organizing one, reach out to your local Ukrainian community, start a group on Facebook. Be proactive! Be creative!
Razom regularly promotes rallies in the New York City area as well as rallies meant to bring people from all over the US together in Washington D.C. Just follow us on social media, especially the Razom Instagram, or subscribe to our newsletter to get alerts.
How does Razom spend its donation money?
Following russia’s full scale attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Razom quickly mobilized an emergency response to save lives. Our priority is to provide critical humanitarian war relief and recovery depending on the most urgent needs as they evolve. Right now this means delivering humanitarian aid in the form of tactical medicine, hospital supplies, and communication equipment, supporting the Ukrainian healthcare system by providing critical medical aid to hospitals and doctors, supporting on-the-ground efforts by distributing grants to hyper-local NGOs, and advocating for Ukraine. Razom maintains an admin rate of no more than 15% (historically averaged below 10%). Learn about the latest Updates on our project impact by checking out the July 2022 Razom Impact Report and stay tuned for an updated 2022 Razom Impact Report, which will be out very soon!
Are you a legit non-profit organization?
We are a US-based, registered 501c3 non-profit, started as a volunteer-driven organization founded after Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity in 2014. You can learn more about Razom on various pages of this website:checkout ourAnnual Reportsfrom the past eight years, ourBoard of Directors and Leadership Team, our projects and partnerships. Following russia’s attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Razom quickly mobilized its emergency response project to save lives. You can find regular updates on our Updates page.
How can a hospital in Ukraine receive aid from Razom?
Thanks to the incredible work of the Razom Health team, Razom provides aid to hospitals and nurses in the form of medical and hospital supplies and tools, which vary depending on the in-kind donations we receive and the procurement process. If you would like to request aid for a hospital or a medical institution, please visit this page.
How can someone on the frontlines (first responders and defenders) request aid from Razom? To request humanitarian aid for a Ukrainian military or first responder unit, please visit this page.
Do you help refugees?
We are aware of the large number of Ukrainians who fled or lost their homes as a result of the war. Razom is responding to this in a few ways:
Razom received a grant from the Mayor’s Office of New York City to support the Razom Ukrainian Response Initiative (URI), a program started by Razom volunteers to support newly-arrived Ukrainians in NYC via legal clinics, clothing drives, school supply distributions, and other efforts. Learn more about the Ukrainian Response Initiative. The URI team has a document of helpful public immigration information and updates here.
If you personally, or your organization, is willing to help displaced Ukrainians in a meaningful way, please fill out this form.
If you’re a Ukrainian migrant that needs help, fill out this form.
URI has an office at the address 98 2nd Avenue in New York City, but please email URI@RazomForUkraine.org first to check if the team can help answer your questions via email.
There are many other organizations, large and small, working in this area. Among them we recommend referencing the following resources:
If you haven’t found an answer to your question on this page, please write to info@razomforukraine.org. Please allow us 48 hours to respond. Our resources are limited, but we are doing our best to follow up as fast as we can. Thank you for understanding!
ПОШИРЕНІ ЗАПИТАННЯ
Дякуємо за підтримку та готовність допомогти Україні в такі важкі часи. Через таку велику зацікавленість підтримати Разом та Україну, ми щодня отримуємо велику кількість прохань, запитань, та пропозицій різного роду. Наша команда невпинно працює над збільшенням масштабу наших зусиль, щоб забезпечити те, що потрібно Україні, і ці потреби та виклики змінюються також щодня. Перш ніж звертатися до нас за адресою info@razomforukraine.org, перегляньте поширені запитання нижче.
Разом до перемоги!
З ким я можу поговорити про корпоративні пожертви та/або мечінг кампанії?
Щоб обговорити мечінг кампанії та/або великі корпоративні, організаційні та фондові пожертви та кампанії, будь ласка, напишіть на пошту donations@razomforukraine.org. Сьогодні існують сотні компаній, які використовують відповідні кампанії з Разом. Ви можете знайти всі способи фінансової підтримки Разом, включно із всією банківською інформацією та EIN номером Разом, на нашій сторінці для донатів.
Чому я не отримав(ла) квитанцію для своєї пожертви?
Дякуємо за вашу щедру пожертву Разом! Є кілька способів знайти квитанцію про вашу пожертву.
Якщо ви не знайшли свою квитанцію після пошуку, це може означати, що ми не маємо вашої адреси електронної пошти чи поштової адреси.
Як правило, якщо ви робите пожертву Razom через Facebook/Meta, ви отримаєте квитанцію про пожертву від Facebook/Meta. Подібним чином, якщо ви зробили пожертву Razom за допомогою корпоративного збору коштів або свого роботодавця, попросіть у свого роботодавця чи компанії про квитанцію.
Якщо ви досі не можете отримати квитанцію, або у вас все ще є запитання, будь ласка, напишіть на donations@razomforukraine.org і вкажіть своє ім’я, суму пожертви та використаний метод пожертви.
Будь ласка, зачекайте до місяця для обробки пожертви, особливо якщо ви надіслали нам чек поштою.
Чи можу я пожертвувати свій час і стати волонтером у Razom?
Дякуємо за бажання стати волонтером Разом! Волонтери є основою успіху Разом.
Якщо ви хочете стати волонтером, будь ласка, заповніть цю форму. Наразі ми не можемо обіцяти, що зв’яжемося з вами відразу, але ми надішлемо вам лист, як тільки отримаємо новий запит для волонтерів від наших команд. Більш того, вам не потрібно чекати, поки ми звяжемось з вами, щоб мати змогу підтримати Україну:
Долучайтеся до інформаційної підтримки України у своїх соціальних мережах. Слідкуйте за нашими сторінками у Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, щоб дізнаватися про останні дії та підпишіться на нашу розсилку, щоб отримувати останні новини про те, як ви можете відстоювати інтереси України у своїй громаді та у світі.
Слідкуйте за майбутніми подіями на сторінці Razom Events
Збережіть сторінку Разом в HeyLink, щоб мати доступ до ресурсів для допомоги України, і поділіться нею з друзями!
Проведіть збір коштів для Разом або інших організацій, які ви підтримуєте. Можна відкрити особистий збір коштів для Разом у соціальних мережах, організовувати благодійні концерти, поетичні читання, вечері, робити благодійні татуювання, творити мистецтво та багато іншого щоб залучити людей до допомоги Україні. Якщо ви хочете почати кампанію GoFundMe, ви можете вибрати Разом як одержувача на цій платформі тут. Надсилайте свої запитання щодо організації збору коштів для Разом на donations@razomforukraine.org.
Я хочу волонтерити в Україні. Чи може Разом мені допомогти з цим?
Разом наразі не приймає волонтерів в Україні. Якщо ви маєте намір поїхати в Україну та бути волонтером, вам можуть бути корисні наступні ресурси:
Якщо ви зацікавлені у волонтерстві для Razom, дистанційно або в районі Нью-Йорка, заповніть цю форму.
Якщо ви є громадянином або постійним жителем США, один із найпотужніших способів підтримати Україну – це стати адвокатом України. Приєднайтеся до адвокаційний мережі Разом тут, і вам буде надіслано сповіщення про наступну можливість зв’язатися зі своїми представниками в Конгресі щодо підтримки України.
Майте на увазі, що ваші пожертви на Разом також суттєво допомагають Україні. Ви можете зробити пожертву Разом тут або організувати збір коштів у своїй громаді.
Дякуємо за вашу підтримку та бажання допомогти!
Де я можу переглянути всю роботу Razom у 2022 році? Де я можу прочитати всі розсилки Разом?
Перегляньте наші інформаційні бюлетені тут і підпишіться на розсилку тут, щоб отримувати найсвіжіші новини Разом прямо в свою електронну пошту. Натисніть тут, щоб знайти звіт Разом від липня 2022 р., і слідкуйте за новинами про звіт Разом за 2022 р., над яким ми зараз працюємо і який буде опубліковано дуже скоро!
Коли і де наступний протест?
Інформацію про заплановані акції по всьому світу можна знайти тут. Ви можете додати інформацію про акцію у вашому місті до списку, заповнивши форму на сайті. Якщо ви не бачите жодних мітингів у вашому місті – організуйте! Зв’яжіться з місцевою українською громадою, створіть групу у Facebook. Будьте ініціативними! Будьте креативними!
Разом регулярно рекламує мітинги в Нью-Йорку, а також мітинги, які збирають людей з усіх куточків США у Вашингтоні, столиці США. Слідкуйте за нами в соціальних мережах, особливо Instagram, або підпишіться на нашу розсилку, щоб отримувати інформацію вчасно.
Як Razom витрачає зібрані кошти?
Після повномасштабного вторгнення росії в Україну 24 лютого 2022 року Разом швидко мобілізувало проект Emergency Response, для порятунку життів в Україні якомога швидше. Нашим пріоритетом є надання найнеобхіднішої гуманітарної допомоги. Наразі це – тактична медицина, медичне обладнання та комунікаційне обладнання, підтримка української системи охорони здоров’я шляхом надання критично важливої медичної допомоги лікарням і лікарям, підтримка громадянського суспільства шляхом розподілу грантів НУО, та адвокація подальшої підтримки України у Конгресі США. Разом відкладає не більше 15% (історично в середньому нижче 10%) коштів на адміністративні витрати. Дізнайтеся більше про роботу Разом, переглянувши звіт, що вийшов у липні 2022 року, і слідкуйте за новинами Разом щоб дізнатися про роботу Разом у повному звіті за 2022 рік, який буде опубліковано дуже скоро!
Чи ви легітимна/законна неприбуткова організація?
Разом – неприбуткова організація у США з офіційною реєстрацію 501c3, заснована волонтерами після Революції Гідності в Україні в 2014 році. Ви можете дізнатися більше про Razom на різних сторінках цього веб-сайту: перегляньте наші річні звіти за останні вісім років, нашу раду директорів і керівництво, наші проекти та партнерства. Після початку повномасштабного вторгнення 24 лютого 2022 року Разом швидко мобілізувало проект Emergency Response, щоб врятувати якомога більше життів в Україні. Ви можете знайти регулярні новини про нашу роботу на сторінці Updates.
Як лікарня в Україні може отримати допомогу від Разом?
Завдяки неймовірній роботі команди Razom Health, Разом надає допомогу лікарням та лікарям у вигляді різного медичного та лікарняного обладнання та інструментів, наявність яких змінюється залежно від того, що ми отримуємо від донорів, і процесу закупівлі. Якщо ви бажаєте подати запит на допомогу для лікарні чи медичного закладу, зайдіть на цю сторінку.
Як хтось на передовій (служби першої допомоги та захисники України) може отримати допомогу від Разом?
Щоб подати запит на гуманітарну допомогу українським військовим або підрозділу, зайдіть на цю сторінку.
Чи ви допомагаєте біженцям?
Ми знаємо про велику кількість українців, які були вимушені покинути Україну або втратили свої домівки внаслідок війни. Разом допомагає таким людям кількома способами:
Разом отримало грант від мерії міста Нью-Йорка на підтримку ініціативи Разом Ukrainian Response Initiative (URI), програми, започаткованої волонтерами Разом для підтримки новоприбулих українців у Нью-Йорку через юридичні консультації, роздачу одягу та їжі, медичні послуги та інші види допомоги. Дізнайтеся більше про Українську ініціативу тут. Команда URI створила документ із корисною публічною імміграційною інформацією та оновленнями тут.
Якщо ви особисто чи ваша організація бажаєте суттєво допомогти новоприбулим українцям, будь ласка, заповніть цю форму.
Якщо ви новоприбулий українець чи українка, якому потрібна допомога, будь ласка, заповніть цю форму.
URI має офіс за адресою 98 2nd Avenue у Нью-Йорку, але, будь ласка, спершу надішліть лист на URI@RazomForUkraine.org, щоб записатися на прийом.
Є багато інших організацій, великих і малих, які працюють у цій сфері також. Серед них рекомендуємо звернутися до наступних:
Національний банк України відкрив спеціальний рахунок для збору коштів на потреби Збройних Сил України
Якщо ви не знайшли відповідь на своє запитання на цій сторінці, будь ласка, напишіть нам на пошту info@razomforukraine.org. Дайте нам, будь ласка, 48 годин на відповідь. Наші ресурси обмежені, але ми робимо все можливе, щоб якнайшвидше відповісти та допомогти вам. Дякуємо за розуміння!
In acknowledgement of all the hard work volunteers, supporters, partners, and donors have put into Razom’s Emergency Response for almost five straight months now, we’ve put together an Impact Report. We’re making history together, #Razom, and we wouldn’t be able to do it any other way. So take a look, read it, share it, and help us continue this great work for Ukraine.
In times of crisis, having the right skills can mean the difference between life and death. At Razom for Ukraine, we believe that everyone should be prepared to act in emergencies, which is why we’ve provided our emergency response medical training program to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine.
These professionals frequently operate in high-risk areas — whether documenting war crimes, working at missile strike sites, or combatting criminal activities in hot zones. Their work is essential, but it also places them in dangerous situations where immediate action is often required.
Training for Real-World Scenarios
Our training began with a focus on the specific challenges these staff members face. Over three days, they received both theoretical and hands-on instruction, learning essential emergency procedures. The final day involved realistic simulations, during which participants practiced their new skills under stress-inducing conditions, closely mirroring the scenarios they might encounter in the field.
While this three-day course provided a solid foundation, it’s just the beginning. Many participants expressed a desire for further training, recognizing the importance of ongoing education in lifesaving skills. We plan to expand this program to reach even more staff members, particularly those working in frontline areas.
Making a Difference, Together
At Razom for Ukraine, we are proud to support those who play a critical role in the fight for justice and freedom. By equipping Ukrainians with these priceless skills, we aim to make their work safer and empower them to continue serving their country with confidence.
We wish that there wasn’t a need for this kind of preparation but in the event that it must be utilized, we are proud to have contributed to the safety and well-being of these brave individuals. Together, we are making a difference.
Having traveled around the world, collecting international awards along the way, Razom Cinema grantee “Intercepted” has come home for its theatrical release this August. A hearty congratulations to the Oksana and the whole film team with this accomplishment! With this in mind, let’s take it back to the beginning.
For the past 53 years, the Film at Lincoln Center and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) have brought together a program of films and filmmakers who speak to the present and anticipate the future of cinema – those who push the envelope in unexpected, striking ways. This is done under the auspices of the New Directors New Films (N/D) festival. In recent years, Ukrainian films started to populate the N/D line up and it’s no surprise to see groundbreaking films like “Stop Zemlia”, “Pamfir”, and now “Intercepted” take their well deserved spots as alumni of the festival.
For the North American premiere, Razom Cinema supported the “Intercepted” film team to bring director Oksana Karpovych, producer Olha Beshkmelnytsina, and composer Olesia Onykiienko to the premiere screening. For a film that exposes so much and reflects on the Russian imperial behavior with its complete disregard for civilian lives, it’s important to have the filmmakers be there to guide the audiences through thoughts and questions.
Since February 2022, the Security Service of Ukraine has intercepted and recorded thousands of phone calls made between Russian soldiers on the front line in Ukraine, to their family and relatives. Those phone calls were made public to expose the true mentality of those on Ukrainian land, committing war crimes. After reviewing hours of these calls, Oksana and her team came up with what now is an award-winning documentary “Intercepted” – a photojournalistic and audibly heavy report of what has happened in Ukraine.
If you weren’t able to catch the screening, make sure to listen in to the discussion with Oksana Karpovych at New Directors New Films.
Following the successful screening in New York, the “Intercepted” team was able to engage with various media and received several positive reviews from the likes of IndieWire, Variety, Filmmaker Magazine, and others. We look forward to seeing just how far the film will go in the coming fall, so keep an eye out for it!
Razom Cinema aims to promote and celebrate the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices and assure a strong representation of Ukraine on various important stages. From grants, partnerships, and programming, we unlock possibilities such as the ones listed above – bring Ukrainian creators to important spaces to meet, partner, and do with international talent.
Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.
Working with Razom Cinema’s Polina Buchak has been one of the most gratifying parts of the journey of making this film. The support and advocacy for our project has been nothing short of inspiring. The dream of every filmmaker is to reach as wide an audience as possible, and Razom has helped us immeasurably to connect with both Ukrainian and American audiences globally. Our film quite simply would not have been as successful had it not been for our partnership with Polina and the whole heroic team at Razom. Дуже дякую, Слава Україні!
– Director David Gutnik
Together with DCTV Firehouse, Razom Cinema celebrated the theatrical release of an award-winning documentary “Rule of Two Walls” directed by David Gutnik. Previously, Razom Cinema awarded the film team a grant to support their World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2023. With this support, in part, the team was able to bring several cast (artists featured in the documentary) and crew members to assure a strong Ukrainian representation at the festival (and industry events), as well as allow the U.S. audience to hear first hand stories from the creators.
Premiere screening at the Tribeca Film Festival 2023. From left to right: Volodymyr Ivanov (DP), David Gutnik (director), Olha Beskhmelnitsyna (producer), Bob Basset (featured artist), Mikhail Zakutskyi (sound recordist), Lyana Mytsko (featured artist), Stepan Burban (featured artist), Bohdana Davydiuk (featured artist), Andrew Orkin (music composer).
Many of our Razom friends and those who have been following Ukrainian cinema joined us at the opening night event on August 16, 2024. It was a moving night with lots of insightful conversations about the power that art holds when it comes to resistance, resilience, and reclaiming the Ukrainian identity that for years has been suppressed and hidden. This documentary, with executive producer Liev Schreiber, explores the war in Ukraine through the lens of artists living and creating amid utter destruction. Blurring the lines between what is happening in front of the cameras and behind, the film probes what it means to make cinema in a time of war.
If you happen to have missed the opening night discussion, you still have a chance to catch the closing night screening on August 22nd at 7:00 PM EDT at the DCTV Firehouse. In case you are tuning in outside of NYC, here’s a short recap of the discussion!
Razom Cinema aims to promote and celebrate the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices and assure a strong representation of Ukraine on various important stages. From grants, partnerships, and programming, we unlock possibilities such as the ones listed above – bring Ukrainian creators to important spaces to meet, partner, and do with international talent.
Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.
You can not imagine how much impact this grant has brought for our project “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole”
– Tetiana Khodakivska’s note
With the recent news from the Sundance Institute announcing their 2024 Documentary Fund Grantees, Razom Cinema congratulates Tetiana Khodakivska and her team for being part of the selected group. This important documentary highlights stories of Ukrainian children Kira, Taisa, and Artem as they paint their memories about time in Russian ‘re-education’ camps. In honor of this news, Razom Cinema wants to highlight the achievements of the grant that was provided to the film’s team to attend the industry events at Berlinale, CPH:DOX, and Cannes Doc festivals.
The Razom Travel Grant helped present “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole” documentary in development at three events:
Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival
CPH:DOX
Marché du Film, Cannes Doc
Thanks to the grant, the team secured a sale-agent, found an Executive Producer, co-production in two European countries, received one $12,000 Grant and applied for three more grants overall for $200,000. The filmmakers also have found the fiscal sponsor for the project that brings further opportunity for funding of the film to bring it to completion.
Berlinale, Berlin International Film Festival
During Berlinale, the director participated in an advocacy event organized by Terre Des Hommes, a children’s rights organization, where she discussed the issue of children’s deportation and indoctrination in front of 500 people and presented a 3-minute video. Since the event focused on the rights of young people, it was an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of children’s deportation and indoctrination. Among the meetings at the Berlinale Market, the most successful one was with a representative from CAT&Docs Sales, which led to a deal memo with this sales company.
CPH:DOX
During CPH:Forum, the documentary was selected for a pitch in front of 2,000 industry representatives. Over the following two days, the team had 15 meetings with broadcasters, impact strategists, potential co-producers, and funds such as the Swedish Film Institute, Finnish Film Foundation, Chicken & Egg Pictures, and representatives from Berlinale, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Points North Institute. During that time, they also engaged with potential advocacy event partners like Artist Moving Image and Kunsthal Charlottenborg, while sharing their story with The Guardian and The New York Times.
A meeting with Catapult Film Fund resulted in an invitation to apply for their grant, which is currently being considered.). The most successful meeting was with Impact Partners Fund, where the team was invited to submit a grant application for $150,000.
Another great meeting was with Women Make Movies (WMM), which, among other activities, represents projects as a fiscal sponsor for selected films. Although they were initially skeptical, having seen many Ukrainian projects in recent years, the meeting was very positive. They understood the project’s importance, and the film team is currently signing a contract with WMM. Other connections resulted in securing a $35,000 grant from the Elsa & Peter Soderberg Charitable Foundation, which only works through a fiscal sponsor.
One of the meetings resulted in new members joining the documentary team. Jane Mote was invited to be the team’s fundraising producer, as she was deeply moved by the story and truly wants to help spread awareness about Ukraine and the unlawful relocation of children. Jane works as a consultant for The Whickers Fund and knows many inspiring people with whom the team hopes to collaborate.
Marché du Film, Cannes Doc
Marché du Film selected the documentary for the spotlight section at the festival, organizing and curating one-on-one and group meetings for the team throughout the week. The Razom Cinema grant enabled the director and producer to both attend. Tetiana also won the Producer’s Network Badge and participated in the Producer’s Network activities, which were very beneficial for making industry connections. Additionally, she was selected to give an inspirational speech during the morning boost program.
The team met with the programmer of the Movies That Matter Festival, which specializes in impact-oriented films, the market manager of IDFA, One World International Human Rights Festival, and the head of Industry at Visions du Réel. All were impressed with the documentary and connected the team with their fund, to which the filmmakers have since applied . Additionally, the team met with Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, the programmer of the Sundance Film Festival, and the head of Industry at Ji.Hlava IDFF. In Cannes, the team had a meeting with an IMS (International Media Support) representative, resulting in a $12,000 grant.
Razom Cinema aims to promote and celebrate the vibrancy of Ukrainian voices and assure a strong representation of Ukraine at various industry events. Our travel grants unlock possibilities such as the ones listed above – bring Ukrainian creators to important spaces to meet, partner, and do with international talent.
Thank you to our donors who made this possible, and everyone who supports Razom.
Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.
At Razom, we are committed to advancing education in Ukraine and empowering the talented youth who will shape the future. We are thrilled to share that we recently sponsored a mathematics camp for students in grades 1-7.
From June 29 to July 7, 2024, Tsyfra, a leading math club in Kyiv, hosted a mathematics school at the “Khvilya” resort, bringing together 130 enthusiastic participants. Tsyfra is renowned for its dedication to supplementary math education and cultivating scientific thinking among young people. Their program covers math, mathematical logic, physics, natural science, and chess through a variety of learning methods, including study groups, lectures, seminars, and games.
This summer’s school was the culmination of two months of intensive planning and preparation by teachers, organizers, and Tsyfra’s talented team. We are incredibly grateful to our generous donors for making this event possible and to the dedicated educators and organizers who worked tirelessly to bring it to life. A special thank you to all the students and their families, whose enthusiasm and participation made this camp a resounding success. We are proud to have sponsored such an inspiring event and are thankful for the opportunity to support this amazing initiative.
What Parents Are Saying:
Nataliya Vrodskaya: “Thank you for creating a wonderful experience filled with love for children and mathematics. It was a much-needed boost for my child. We appreciate the warmth and care you put into this camp!”
Nadya Voytekho: “A huge thank you! The program was engaging, fun, and informative. This was our first experience with Tsyfra, and my son is absolutely thrilled! Everything was fantastic. You are incredible!”
Darya Ruban: “As always, we are delighted. We can’t wait for the fall sessions!”
Together, we are building a brighter future for Ukraine’s youth through education and support.
Last Friday marked the first collaboration between Razom Cinema, Sunny Bunny LGBTQIA+ film festival, and the Ukrainian Museum in New York City. A diverse crowd of all ages visited the museum for a special inaugural screening of the Ukrainian Queer Shorts film program.
The event showcased six Ukrainian short films, each portraying the unique experiences of queer communities in Ukraine. From a short documentary on the non-binary experience of a Crimean-Tatar serving in the Ukrainian army to an intimate portrayal of young lesbian love in Kyiv, the program aimed to provide a snapshot of queerness in times of war. Among the featured directors were Kateryna Khramtsova, Yelyzaveta Sherstnyova, Olia Koval, Anzhelika Ustymenko, Zoya Laktionova, Anton Shebetko, and Olena Siyatovska.
The Razom Cinema Impact Producer, Polina Buchak, and the Development Coordinator at The Ukrainian Museum, Maryna Prykhodko, introduced the event, highlighting the need for the representation of Ukrainian queerness in the arts. They also emphasized the program’s connection with the ongoing Peter Hujar: Rialto exhibition at the Museum.
In addition to the screening, the audience experienced a pre-recorded moderated conversation between Bohdan Zhuk, Director of Sunny Bunny, and Nick McCarthy, Director of Programming at NYC-based NewFest. Zhuk and McCarthy discussed the artistry of the chosen films and contextualized them in Ukrainian queer past and future, sharing their experiences leading LGBTQIA+ festivals in Kyiv and NYC. Zhuk also recommended three, must-watch Ukrainian films with LGBTQIA+ themes and underscored the need for advancing Ukrainian Queer studies research. The conversation is available on our YouTube platform – we highly recommend you check it out!
Thank you to the filmmakers featured in the program, to our volunteers who made the event possible, and everyone who came to support this initiative.
We are excited to have had the opportunity to work with The Ukrainian Museum and look forward to future events together.
Photos by Polly Chesnokova.
Make sure to follow our newsletter and social media for more announcements!
Learn more about Razom efforts on the cultural diplomacy front within our Razom Culture project.
The First International Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health, titled “Warrior: Life. Health. Combat Readiness,” was a pivotal moment for Ukraine. Held in Kyiv on July 27, 2024, the event brought together a distinguished assembly of Ukrainian and international experts in healthcare, rehabilitation, mental health, and military medicine.
Among the attendees were key government figures, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, First Lady Olena Zelenska, Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, Minister of Health Viktor Liashko, Ukrainian parliamentarians, diplomats, military personnel, representatives of specialized medical centers, public organizations, and charitable foundations.
Razom for Ukraine was honored to participate in this critical congress. Our team, led by CEO Dora Chomiak, CFO Oksana Falenchuk, and Executive Director Evelina Kurilets, actively participated in the event.
The congress delved deeply into the pressing issues facing Ukraine’s military and its personnel: physical and psychological health, rehabilitation, field medicine, and innovative solutions. Participants shared their experiences and expertise, fostering a collaborative environment to address these challenges.
Since the outset of the full-scale Russian invasion, Razom has been steadfast in its commitment to saving lives. “Razom has already purchased and delivered over 150,000 tactical first aid kits and over 3,500 medic backpacks to frontline areas. We have also created our own teams of instructors who conduct medical training for service-members and first responders. All of this is done with one goal in mind – to save lives, which is the most valuable thing,” shared Taras Hatalyak, Head of Razom Heroes program.
To further support first responders and civilians, Razom organized a hands-on workshop at the congress, teaching participants essential life-saving skills like applying tourniquets and packing wounds. Our experienced instructors shared their knowledge, empowering attendees with practical skills to make a difference.
Beyond addressing immediate medical needs, Razom is committed to supporting long-term recovery efforts. At the congress, during a meeting of the Interagency Working Group on the implementation of a pilot project aimed at reforming rehabilitation in the healthcare sector for military personnel, Oleksii Zakharchenko, Razom’s Communications Director in Ukraine, introduced the “Ukraine Rehabilitation Platform” project. This initiative is being carried out by Razom with support from SAP Ukraine. The online platform, accessible at rehabukraine.com, offers comprehensive information on over 415 rehabilitation centers throughout Ukraine. By mapping these centers, we strive to simplify the process of finding appropriate care and ensuring access to essential rehabilitation services.
The First International Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health was a significant step forward in improving the lives of Ukrainian service-members and veterans. Razom for Ukraine remains committed to supporting their physical and mental well-being, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure they have the resources and support they need.
On July 8, 2024, a day that will forever be etched in our hearts, the world witnessed the incomprehensible destruction caused by a massive Russian bombing campaign that targeted civilian areas in Ukraine, including a major cancer center, Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital. The stories of the brave medical professionals and the innocent children affected by this heinous attack, paint a vivid picture of the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people.
Mariyana Morozova: A Day of Unimaginable Horror
Dr. Mariyana Morozova, a pediatric anesthesiologist at Okhmatdyt and expert in Razom’s Breathe initiative, shared her harrowing experience. She splits her time between a private clinic and Okhmatdyt, located just across the street from each other. On that fateful day, Dr. Morozova was working at the private clinic when the air raid sirens blared and explosions shook the ground.
“I tried to contact my colleagues at Okhmatdyt, but there was no response. I ran over there, and it was just a disaster! There were so many wounded,” she recalled. The intensive care unit’s lab technician was severely injured, suffering from a concussion, a jaw fracture, and bleeding. With the help of the entire community, they evacuated the most critical patients, including those in the neonatal ICU (Intensive Care Unit), neuro ICU, and surgical ICU. Dr. Morozova’s department was among the most severely damaged, and she tragically lost a dear friend and colleague, Dr. Svitlana Luk’yachuk. Miraculously, all the children survived, but the emotional scars will remain forever.
Alyona Bezlehka: First Day Back Turns into a Nightmare
For rehabilitation specialist Alyona Bezlehka, it was her first day back at work after a vacation. She had been eagerly anticipating reuniting with her patients. As the explosions began, she quickly led her patients to the corridor and then to the bomb shelter. Returning to her department on the 5th floor, she encountered her colleague, covered in blood and holding a child they couldn’t evacuate in time.
“The floor was covered in blood and dust. I am not a surgeon, but I saw bandages and started applying them to stop the bleeding,” she recounted. Among the chaos, one boy’s cries for his grandmother haunted her. He was in shock, shivering, and vomiting, with his hand covered in blood. The sight of injured children, medical staff on stretchers, and parents with bandaged heads was overwhelming. Her department was almost completely destroyed, with windows blown out and the ceiling collapsed. Despite the devastation, the motivation to help and the outpouring of support from the community kept her going.
Valeriy Bovkun: Narrow Escape from Death
Valeriy Bovkun, head of the Department of Reconstructive-Plastic Microsurgery at Okhmatdyt, was organizing the evacuation of patients when the explosion occurred. “I was in my office when the sirens started, and then went out to check if the patients were moving to safe places. Moments later, the explosion occurred. My office was critically damaged: the blast wave tore out the window and threw it right onto my workspace,” he recounted. If he had stayed a moment longer, he would likely have been buried under the rubble. Thanks to the timely evacuation, most patients were unharmed, but five staff members were injured by glass shards.
Despite being in a state of shock, Valeriy and his colleagues immediately began providing first aid to the injured. “We applied bandages and sutures, examined the children, and did everything we could to help,” he said.
Roman Shevchenko: From Routine to Ruin
Roman Shevchenko, head of the Children’s Sleep Laboratory at Okhmatdyt, was in the laboratory next to the building hit by the missile. “By the time the explosion happened, we had not yet managed to get to the shelter, so after the impact, glass shards flew at us. I was slightly injured, but our nurse was severely cut by glass and bleeding. We started looking for something to bandage her with, but there was nothing nearby, so we went down to the floor, and there I provided her with first aid,” he explained. Despite the devastation, most of the laboratory’s equipment remained intact and continued to function. “We had a laptop on the windowsill, it was covered with glass but still working!” Roman recounted in astonishment.
He emphasized the unexpected timing of the attack: “Russia struck right after all the morning meetings were over and all the doctors had started working. We were already used to Russia striking at night, so this attack was completely unexpected.”
Photos courtesy of Okhmatdyt medical staff.
How You Can Help:
The attack on Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital has devastated the lives of many innocent victims and shaken the global community. Razom Health is actively on the ground, mobilizing crucial supplies and support for those affected.
You can make a difference today by supporting our dedicated teams as they work tirelessly to aid the victims of the Okhmatdyt tragedy and other healthcare facilities in Ukraine that remain under constant threat of attack.
Donate now to provide immediate relief and assistance to those in need.
Razom Responds To Massive Russian Bombing Of Ukraine, Including Major Children’s Hospital In Kyiv
New York: Today’s bombardment of Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital by Russia was one of several strikes around Ukraine resulting in at least 30 deaths and 130 injuries nationwide. The massive attack demonstrates again that Putin sees no norm as too sacrosanct to violate, no war crime as too heinous to contemplate, and no child as too innocent to target in his quest for imperial domination over Ukraine.
The destruction of one of Europe’s leading children’s hospitals, specializing in complicated cases of cancer and heart disease in kids, constitutes a brazen assault on international law and the notion of human decency. It is part of a broader terror bombing campaign unleashed by Russia against Ukrainian civilian targets.
Today, Razom volunteers and staff joined hundreds of Kyivans on the grounds of the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital to provide immediate support and deliver gloves, protective equipment, and water. Since 2016, Razom for Ukraine (Razom) has been working with hundreds of hospitals throughout Ukraine and will continue to support their lifesaving work with supplies, expertise and funds.
“We are gutted by yet another indiscriminate and brutal attack on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, particularly as innocent, critically ill children and their caregivers were the unfortunate victims,” said Dora Chomiak, Razom’s CEO, “Our colleagues across Razom are as determined as ever to save lives and to bring a lasting victory by delivering aid, and by advocating for a stronger U.S. policy that defends Ukraine against Russia’s violence.”
Currently, Razom is working with the leadership of the Okhmatdyt hospital, providing supplies to doctors and nurses enabling them to care for their patients. Razom is also cooperating with the Ministry of Health and with other nonprofits to continue supplying urgently-needed medical supplies and energy generation. The Razom Health program will continue to advance its goals of immediate and long-term assistance to support the patients of this world-class hospital and other healthcare facilities across Ukraine under constant threat of attack.
We anticipate more assaults in the days to come. As Ukrainian volunteers work to pull children out from under the rubble, one thing is clear: giving Ukraine the means to defend itself is the only thing that can prevent such heartbreaking scenes from being repeated.
If Ukraine were permitted to defend itself by striking military airfields in Russia, it could protect itself and its vital infrastructure. If Ukraine had been able to destroy the Russian bombers responsible for today’s attack before they took off, countless lives might have been saved.
Razom is calling on the White House to immediately change its policy restricting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons by Ukraine inside of Russia. Ukraine must be enabled to strike all legitimate military targets in Russia to properly defend itself.
Support for Razom’s emergency humanitarian response efforts can be made by donating today.
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Razom for Ukraine (Razom) was founded in 2014 and is a leading US-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting Ukraine. Razom, which means “together” in Ukrainian, is dedicated to upholding the principles of the Revolution of Dignity (Maidan) and actively contributing to the establishment of a secure, prosperous, and democratic Ukraine. We deliver on our mission through five program areas: Razom Heroes, Razom Health, Razom Relief, Razom Advocacy, and Razom Connect, which enable us to provide humanitarian aid and support to Ukrainians, and advance Ukraine’s interests in the U.S. Since 2022, it has deployed over $116MM in aid.