March 30, 2021. OTTAWA. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is pleased to announce the launch of the Community Engagement Project, being undertaken by the UCC Charitable and Educational Trust, with the support of the Temerty Foundation. This project builds upon the work of the UCC as the national voice which unites the Ukrainian Canadian community.
“We want to increase engagement across all generations, particularly with young people and newcomers,” said Alexandra Chyczij, UCC President. “We look forward to hearing from Ukrainian Canadians across the country about what they consider essential for our community to thrive. By identifying what brings us together, we will be able to develop a strategic vision to continue building a highly effective and inclusive community across Canada.”
The UCC will conduct a survey in the coming months, which will include active community members, leaders and organizations, as well as those who are not currently engaged. The findings of this survey will serve as the basis for future strategic planning in charting a course for the future.
Canada’s 1.4 million-strong Ukrainian community is one of the most active and cohesive ethno-cultural communities in Canada. With strong communities from coast-to-coast, the Ukrainian Canadian community has many volunteer-based organizations which work in the areas of education, services for newcomers, social services, faith-based groups, and arts and culture.
Leah Temerty-Lord, Managing Director of the Temerty Foundation, stated, “The Temerty Foundation supports the leadership of the UCC on this very important initiative, which will bring into focus a unifying vision for the future. Our goal is to have an engaged, participatory and inclusive community with strong leaders who have access to the resources they need to succeed.”
The Temerty Foundation has supported the work of the UCC and other Ukrainian Canadian organizations for many years. Mr. Temerty serves as Chair of the UCC’s Advisory Council, and in 2010 was awarded the Taras Shevchenko Medal, the highest form of recognition granted by the UCC, for his lifelong support and leadership within the Ukrainian Canadian community.
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BACKGROUNDER
Ukrainian Canadian Congress
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress brings together under one umbrella all the national, provincial and local Ukrainian Canadian organizations.
Together with our member organizations, the UCC has been leading, coordinating and representing the interests of one of Canada’s largest ethnic communities (1.4 million) since 1940 and is instrumental in shaping Canada’s social, economic and political landscape.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) represents the Ukrainian Canadian community before the people and Government of Canada, promotes linkages with Ukraine and identifies and addresses the needs of the Ukrainian community in Canada to ensure its continued existence and development for the enhancement of Canada’s socio-cultural fabric.
The Temerty Foundation
The Temerty Foundation was established by James C. Temerty and Louise Temerty in 1997 with the goal of providing funding to Canadian registered charitable organizations focused on medical research, arts and culture, education, and social services that address the needs of children and the underprivileged. The foundation also has a special interest in programs and projects, within Canada and internationally, that focus specifically on Ukraine, reflecting its goal of making the accomplishments of Ukrainian culture widely available, including quality texts for educational purposes.
