NEWS AND VIEWS Ukrainian Heritage Foundation announces new grants program (09/27/98)

NEWS AND VIEWS

Ukrainian Heritage Foundation announces new grants program

by Gene Woloshyn

Sixty-five years ago, in 1933, at the Chicago World's Fair, the Ukrainian Youth League of North America was born with Stephen Shumeyko as its driving force. During its many years of existence, conventions were held annually on Labor Day weekend. These conventions featured business sessions along with gala balls and outstanding concerts that highlighted Ukrainian culture.

One of the many achievements of the UYL-NA was the publication of the "Ukrainian Arts" book in English. This book served for many years as the source of information on Ukrainian culture in North America and was distributed widely to libraries.

The Ukrainian Youth League of North America eventually disbanded as an active organization. In 1983 former officers banded together and organized a golden anniversary reunion that was held at Soyuzivka. The attendance was better than anticipated, with many old friends renewing their acquaintances amidst stories of the good old days.

It was at this reunion that the participants decided to initiate a new organization to preserve the UYL-NA's legacy and to contribute to the Ukrainian North American community as it did in their youthful days.

Elected to create this foundation were this writer, Gene Woloshyn of Poland, Ohio, as president; Helen Mural of Parma, Ohio, and Eugene Manasterski of Pittsburgh as vice-presidents; Taras Maksymowich of Miami as treasurer; Estelle Woloshyn of Poland, Ohio, as secretary; Marion Senyk of Largo, Fla., as art director; and Walter Bacad of New York City, as cultural director.

According to its mission statement, the group is "Dedicated to Preserving Ukrainian Culture" as its mission.

The foundation has produced a video that documents the contributions of Vasile Avramenko to the preservation of Ukrainian folk dances in North America. Under the direction of three former well-known Ukrainian folk dancers and teachers, Mr. Bacad, Mr. Maksymowich and William Polewchak, the video was produced as an overview of Maestro Avramenko's efforts to teach Ukrainian folk dancing and develop performing ensembles throughout the United States and Canada, as well as to serve as an instructional tape for those who would like to teach or learn the Avramenko Hopak.

The video and its accompanying poster have been widely distributed free of charge to Ukrainian dance groups, as well as to schools, universities and libraries.

Now the Ukrainian Heritage Foundation is announcing that it will make grants to organizations for projects that advance its mission of "preserving Ukrainian culture in North America." Applications for the grants may be requested by sending a letter to Eugene Woloshyn, President, Ukrainian Heritage Foundation, 2047 Wingate Road, Poland, OH 44514. Completed applications must be postmarked by October 31, 1998.

Grants will be made to organizations that have legal status as non-profit organizations in either the United States or Canada. The maximum amount awarded by the foundation to any organization will not exceed $5,000 and will need to be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the organization itself or other documented source of funds.

Grants will be made in the area of the performing arts (music, theater and dance) and humanities (art museums, historical societies and museums, libraries, historic preservation, media, language and literature, and journalism.)

The foundation will look favorably upon requests which are for projects or efforts that would be unlikely to occur without the foundation's support. Requests for general operating expenses, endowments or capital campaigns are unlikely to be considered.

Grantees will be notified of their selection and receive the funds in the first quarter of 1999.

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