Ukrainian Community Center of Hampton Roads

06/08/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in packing gifts for Ukrainian children 💙💛

Thanks to your support, kindness, and willingness to help, we were able to collect and prepare 120 construction sets, which are now on their way to children in different parts of Ukraine.

This time, the gifts were sent to:

▫️ Kherson — to a children’s space at the local library, providing a place for learning, play, and emotional support even in challenging times
▫️ Zaporizhzhia — to the charitable foundation Благодійний фонд "Імпульс.UA", which supports families who have fostered or adopted orphaned children or children deprived of parental care
▫️ Kherson — to the NGO ГО «Об'єднані любов'ю до дітей» which supports foster and guardian families, as well as children in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps

A special thank you to everyone who sorted, packed, organized, transported, and simply showed up to make this happen. Initiatives like this exist because of people — and you made it possible.

Together, even small things turn into meaningful change for children 🤍

06/04/2026

📣 Call for Artists 📣

We are excited to announce an opportunity for the artists from our Ukrainian Community to participate in an art exhibit at Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library of Virginia Beach!

This exhibit will celebrate creativity, culture, and artistic expression within our community. We invite artists with all backgrounds and styles to be a part of this event.

If you are an artist interested in participating, please contact:

Svitlana Ivasyuk and /or Gerry Tarhovicky by June 10th for more details about the exhibit.

We are looking forward to showcasing the incredible talents within out community! 💙💛
______________________________________________

❗Exhibition Guidelines & Requirements❗

🔹Artwork in any style or medium will be considered for entry.
🔹Artwork must not contain representations of violence or nudity.
🔹Each artist may submit up to six (6) pieces of artwork. All submissions will be reviewed and selected by the UCC jury committee.
🔹All artwork submitted to the exhibit must be available for sale.
🔹UCC will retain a 10% commission from all artwork sales.
🔹Artwork dimensions must not exceed 36 inches in any direction.

All selected artwork must be professionally presented:
🔸All paintings must be framed using wooden or metal frames. Artwork framed with glass or plexiglass must also be matted.
🔸Gallery-wrapped finished canvases are acceptable
🔸All artwork must be equipped with D-rings attached approximately two-fifths (2/5) from the top of the frame, with hanging wire securely installed.

🗓️Important Dates
▪️June 15, 2026 — Submission deadline
Please email high-quality photographs of your artwork in jpg format to [email protected]. Include the title and dimensions of each piece submitted.
▪️June 20, 2026 — Artist notification
Selected artists will be notified and asked to confirm their participation.
▪️July 1-31, 2026 — Exhibition dates
Selected artwork will be displayed at the Central Library throughout the month of July:
▪️July 1, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. - Artwork delivery
Accepted artwork must be delivered to the library.
▪️July 18, 2026 - Meet & Greet with the Artists

A reception with participating artists will take place at the library. Additional details will be announced soon.

05/16/2026

Join us for a Charitable Concert of World-Class Saxophone and Piano Music, featuring the extraordinary artistry of Olena Morozova and Vladyslav Dovhan, a distinguished saxophonist and pianist from Ukraine.

Vladyslav Dovhan is a saxophone player from Chemerivtsi, Khmelnytskyi region, Ukraine. He graduated from New England Conservatory in Boston in 2024. As a soloist, he performs with the MetroWest Symphony Orchestra and has worked at Harvard University, the Weston Friendly Society, and New England Conservatory. He has organized and performed in more than a couple of dozen charity concerts across the United States to support Ukraine, and made history as the first Ukrainian conductor in 50 years to lead a wind ensemble on the stage of Boston’s Jordan Hall.

Olena Morozova, a pianist and a composer ftom Odesa, Ukraine, laureate of numerous competitions, including international ones, Member of the Union of Composers of Ukraine, has come to the USA in 2022. While staying here she is active as a musician and a volunteer.
Olena Morozova performs as a soloist and collaborating with other musicians. She performed with VSO both a soloist and a member of the orchestra in Sandler Center, Virginia Beach, Chrysler Hall, Norfolk, Ferguson Center for the Arts Newport News. Olena Morozova is a piano instructor in GSA, Norfolk. Her students became awarded at various competitions. She is collaborating with students from ODU as well. As a volunteer Olena is a constant member Tidewater Ukrainian Chorus “Korali”, which performs at every event, supporting Ukraine.

Their performance will transport you through a rich tapestry of sound, with works by Composers:
Piazzolla
Iturralde
Ibert
Milhaud
Skoryk
Ivasiuk
and other Ukrainian composers.

✨ Every note played carries a purpose: all proceeds will support humanitarian aid for injured kids and orphanages in Ukraine.

Olena and Vladyslav warmly invite you to experience this unforgettable evening of music, hope, and generosity.

Donate to Non-Profit organization Ukrainian Community Center of Hampton Roads:

Zelle/Paypal [email protected]

05/10/2026

Dear Friends, we are excited to bring this documentary to the States. It describes life and love during wartime. This movie is filled with hope. It builds you up.

Please, join us on Friday night May 15 on campus and in zoom. This evening offers a unique opportunity to experience deeply human stories of resilience, love, and strength in times of war, while gaining meaningful cultural insight and perspective. Designed to inspire and move, the event invites you into a space of reflection, connection, and conversation—leaving you with lasting emotion and a renewed appreciation for the courage behind the scenes.

The movie screening is going to take place from 6 till 8pm at Regent University, Library Auditorium followed by a panel discussion from 8 till 9pm both face-to-face and on zoom.

Tetiana Staneva thank you so much for joining us on Regent campus and sharing this 4-year incredible documentary. We can’t wait to hear what our American friends and colleagues say about it.

Please, review the flyer attached and register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedLLT83LupHABXQYG5Hc097lww-ybp-VS8WCf_KeaJUf_wuQ/viewform

Our donors, please, expect an e-mail from us with an exciting opportunity for this private movie screening on line.


Olya Zaporozhets

Dear Friends, we are excited to bring this documentary to the States. It describes life and love during wartime. This movie is filled with hope. It builds you up.

Please, join us on Friday night May 15 on campus and in zoom. This evening offers a unique opportunity to experience deeply human stories of resilience, love, and strength in times of war, while gaining meaningful cultural insight and perspective. Designed to inspire and move, the event invites you into a space of reflection, connection, and conversation—leaving you with lasting emotion and a renewed appreciation for the courage behind the scenes.

The movie screening is going to take place from 6 till 8pm at Regent University, Library Auditorium followed by a panel discussion from 8 till 9pm both face-to-face and on zoom.

Tetiana Staneva thank you so much for joining us on Regent campus and sharing this 4-year incredible documentary. We can’t wait to hear what our American friends and colleagues say about it.

Please, review the flyer attached and register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedLLT83LupHABXQYG5Hc097lww-ybp-VS8WCf_KeaJUf_wuQ/viewform

Our donors, please, expect an e-mail from us with an exciting opportunity for this private movie screening on line.

04/29/2026

We are grateful to have hosted a wonderful Petrykivka Art Master Class with Ukrainian artist Svitlana Ivasyuk!

This workshop was a truly special experience, bringing together art, culture, and community. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the rich history of Petrykivka painting, a tradition recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and to create their own artworks step by step under Svitlana’s guidance.

It was inspiring to see how each person, regardless of prior experience, connected with this unique Ukrainian art form. From practicing brushstrokes with the traditional handmade “cat brush” to creating vibrant floral compositions.

We sincerely thank Svitlana Ivasyuk for sharing her talent, knowledge, and passion, and for creating such a warm and encouraging environment throughout the workshop.

A heartfelt thank you as well to everyone who joined us, your participation and enthusiasm made this event truly meaningful.

We are proud to continue sharing and preserving Ukrainian culture in our community 🩵💛

04/29/2026

04/28/2026

We are so grateful to have been part of the “Celebrating Children” Festival! It was wonderful to see so many children laughing, playing, creating, and enjoying all the activities.

💙💛 The Ukrainian Community Center of Hampton Roads was proud to support this beautiful initiative. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our Ukrainian tent, spent time with us, and shared smiles, conversations, and moments of joy. It truly meant a lot.

A heartfelt thank you to the organizers for creating such a warm, inclusive, and well-organized event, and to all participants, volunteers, and families who made this day so special. Your presence and support are what build a strong and vibrant community!

Virginia Beach GrowSmart
Virginia Beach City Government
Mayor Bobby Dyer
Councilman Michael Berlucchi
Maleah Amos

Olena Bohenstiel
Svitlana Ivasyuk
Vika Chinnik
Bohdan Smaha
Gerry Tarhovicky
Valentyna Sonmezler

Photo by Nadezhda Semenova 💙

We are grateful to be part of this wonderful event 💛

Ukraine at the Celebrating Children Festival - FREE Family Fun Event
Ukrainer
Ukrainer in English
Ivanka Svitliar
Tidewater Ukrainian Community

04/25/2026

We recently had the opportunity to take part in the Ukraine Action Summit.

The Summit brought together over 700 delegates from all 50 states and Puerto Rico, and together we held 437 meetings with U.S. Congressional offices. During these meetings, we spoke about key priorities for Ukraine - strengthening sanctions through bills like the Peace Through Strength Act and the Shadow Fleet Act, addressing the issue of abducted Ukrainian children through the Resolution on Abducted Children, and expanding U.S.–Ukraine defense cooperation, including through the National Defense Authorization Act.

It is important that the United States continues to support Ukraine, not only for Ukraine to win this war, but also for the sake of international stability and global security. Ukraine today is not just defending its own sovereignty, but also standing on the frontlines of the democratic world.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Summit and contributed to these efforts, and to the Senators and Representatives who took the time to meet and support Ukraine.

At the same time, the greatest recognition belongs to the Ukrainian men and women serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who continue to defend their country and protect millions from war and destruction.

Слава Україні!