UECC Programs
Language Program of the UECC
e-mail:contact@ueccphila.org
Ukrainian Courses
Several times a year, depending on enrollment, courses are offered to adults who wish to learn conversational Ukrainian at the beginning level.
English Courses
As a service to the new immigrant population from Ukraine, the UECC provides a special English language intensified program. Course dates are dependent on the enrollment number.
Prometheus - Ukrainian American Male Chorus of Philadelphia
http://www.physics.upenn.edu/~wk/Xop-Prometej.html
(Prometheus Choir at the first synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Church; week of September 27, 2007)
The Prometheus Chorus has a long history (founded in Philadelphia in 1962) and has a very large repertoire of Ukrainian classical, operatic, traditional (dumy, Kozak epic, folk), and religious including liturgy to present day Ukrainian music. In addition we have a nice repertoire of American traditional and folk melodies. We also participate in Sunday liturgy services and in the traditional choir complement in Ukrainian church weddings. We welcome new members to audition with our male chorus. Since one of the objectives of our chorus is the preservation of the Ukrainian culture (i.e choral music) in America the music instruction is in the Ukrainian language. The chorus singing, the music and the camaraderie make this chorus to be one of the preeminent Ukrainian choruses outside Ukraine.
Musical Director: Roman Kucharskyy
Practices are held every Monday beginning at 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center.
Svitlychka - Ukrainian Nursery School
Svitlychka, the Ukrainian Cooperative Nursery School at the UECC is offering extended hours of care to its students.Its extended care program operates from 8 am to 6 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.Children must speak and understand the Ukrainian language in order to be eligible for the program.
For more information call Svitlychka at 215-663-0381 or Olya at 215-708-0759.
Ukraina Choir
If you enjoy singing then join the mixed choir Ukraina today. The choir holds practice on Thursday evenings at 7:00 in the Center's Main Hall. Ukraina was formed in honor of Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko's visit to Philadelphia in September 2005. The Choir performed at the Constitution Center where President Yushchenko received the 2005 Philadelphia Liberty Medal.
Ukrainian Heritage School
www.ukrheritageschool.com
The main objective of the Ukrainian Heritage School has been and is the education of its students in Ukrainian language and culture in order that they may retain their Ukrainian heritage.Theschool has been able to instill in these students a strong sense of their identity as Americans of Ukrainian descent, and an understanding of their responsibility to carry forward the Ukrainian tradition. Students who are second or third generation Ukrainian-Americans now have more opportunity to use the knowledge gained in the Ukrainian Heritage School on their visits to Ukraine, and in colleges and universities as they pursue higher levels of education. This mission has become even more relevant with the 1991 independence of Ukraine.As of the last few years, the school has received an influx of new students from Ukraine who desire to retain their cultural heritage as they assimilate into American culture.
Ukrainian Information Services of the UECC
e-mail: contact@ueccphila.org
Information Services makes current information available to UECC members and visitors including forms and applications for Affadavits of Support, extension of visitor visas, applications for the Green Card Lottery, permanent immigration applications, Pace forms, gas and rent rebates, applications for Section 8 housing, ParaTransit applications, among others. A current list of Ukrainian doctors, lawyers and other professionals is available as well.
Information Services continues to gather data from Ukrainian churches, institutions, organizations, and businesses in order to complete publication of a Community Directory. Please submit your information by calling the Infomation Services at 215-663-1166.
The UECC reaches new audiences through the UECC Website, www.ueccphila.org. Organizations of the UECC are invited to contribute to the community calendar of events and information on their programs and acitivities.
A full color brochureon the activities and programs of the UECC was published by Information Services in 2006.
In 2006, new UECC membership cardswere printed and mailed to all UECC members. These cards will give benefits and discounts to UECC events and rentals.
Over 6,000 addresses and phone numbers, as well as the cumulutive contributions of each individual, are listed in the UECC data base. The UECC also maintains a registry of over 200 Ukrainian organizations, including Ukrainian businesses and churches. Office staff updates the data base registry on a daily basis. The UECC collects e-mail addresses from members of the community in order to quickly distribute information when needed. The community registry is not available to the general public or for business purposes. The management and regulations as to the usage of the registry are governed by the Executive Board of the UECC.
Ukrainian Library of the UECC (Room 116)
e-mail:knyha@verizon.net
The Ukrainian Library in the UECC is a specialized collection of books, periodicals, and audiovisual materials on Ukraine and Ukrainian subjects. The collection consists of items in the Ukrainian language, as well as publications about Ukraine in other languages, principally in English. The collection has over 20,300 books (including 1,900 children's books) and is fully cataloged and retrievable by author, title or subject. The Ukrainian Library is a lending library and has a reading area for current newspapers and periodicals, a section for children's and Ukrainian Scouting (Plast) literature, a copier and computers.
The Library currently has over 450 members. Students and teachers from the Ukrainian Heritage School have free use of the library. Other members pay an annual due of $10 for adults or $5 for senior citizens.
Dedicated volunteers under the direction of the librarian, Halyna Kluk-Dziwak, perform all library work. The Library has helped organize films for the Ukrainian Heritage School and Svitlychka – the Ukrainian Co-Op Nursery School, as well as teaches the students the methods of using the catalogs and how to locate needed materials in the Library.
Hours of Ukrainian Library Operation from September to June:
Tuesday: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Ukrainian Radio Hour of the UECC
e-mail:contact@ueccphila.org
Regular Broadcast SATURDAYS AT 9:00 A.M on WNWR 1540 AM
Radio Philadelphia
The UECC produces an hour-long weekly community-based radio program. New World Radio, WNWR 1540AM, airs the Ukrainian hour of the UECC "Radio Philadelphia" each Saturday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 in the morning.
The Radio Hour features a literary corner, current news from Ukraine, Ukrainian classical and contemporary music, medical moments and a local community events calendar. Over 80 volunteers have helped in the past. The program has generated a responsive listening audience.
Ukrainian Radio Program Director Borys Zacharczuk
Staff members include Ivan Prasko and Natalia Griga
Music and Technical Director Orysia Hewka
Contributors to the Radio Program include: Dr. Natalia Pazuniak, Marta Tarnowska, Yaroslaw Kolodij, and many others.
Ukrainian Senior Citizens Association
e-mail:contact@ueccphila.org
The Ukrainian American Senior Citizen Association is one of the most valued programs of the UECC. The association helps to organize cultural life with a monthly scheduled gathering and with a speaker or other program. The Association strives to make life better for the elderly in Philadelphia and to encourage independence by offering a community support system in matters of concern to the aging population.
The Association’s members who are sick, those living in nursing homes and homebound elderly, as well as those who because of age or frailty are unable to take part in community activities are given care and attention by the Association’s “Social Services for Members Committee”.
The Ukrainian American Senior Citizen Association meets on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am with guest speakers. Members can get free blood pressure screenings on the 1st Wednesday of each month and take part in the free exercise program each Tuesday morning.
The Association has a total of 200 members. Dues are $5 per year and anyone over 52 years of age is encouraged to join for personal growth, well being and for the good of the Ukrainian Philadelphian community.
Ukrainian Social Services of the UECC
Information and Referral: Orysia Hewka
The Ukrainian Social Services of the UECChas provided various essential services to the Philadelphia area community for over 27 years. Social Services of the UECC bureau addresses the problems of senior citizens, refugees/immigrants, and visitors from Ukraine. Numerous requests for information and assistance come in on a daily basis. Many of the requests are related to visitors and new immigrants from Ukraine seeking general information. The majority of the requests for assistance are people looking for jobs, housing, or for translations of documents.
UECC and Community
Ukrainian Community Directory
If you are interested in listing your business and/or purchasing an advertisement in the soon to be released Philadelphia area Ukrainian Community Directory contact the UECC by phone (215-663-1166) or by e-mail at contact@ueccphila.org.
Recycle cartridges and phones with us!
The UECC is taking part in an e-Scrip recycling program, which works as a fundraising effort as well. There is a container in the UECC Office where you can drop off old inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges and cell phones. This recycling program is a combined effort throughout our community that will bring cash returns for these recycled products. You can help the environmental cause while helping the UECC earn money.
Plast Recycling
Plast is now collecting and recycling paper through the Abitibi-Consolidated Recycling Program. The Abitibi-Consolidated Recycling Bin is behind the UECC building in the parking lot. It is green and is clearly marked. All paper including catalogs, magazines, newspapers, junk mail, office paper, fax paper, notebooks, folders may be recycled. Please do not recycle phonebooks, catalogs, bathroom or kitchen paper. Recycle today and help save the earth.
Ukrainian Retirement Home in the Greater Philadelphia Area
Financing for Ukrainian Retirement Home
The Ukrainian Community of Philadelphia has expressed a strong need for a private Retirement Home, with all the amenities, management, social and recreational services structured to meet the interests of the Ukrainian people. In order to bring this project to fruition, the Center needs to find investors who would be interested in providing initial capital for the completion of the development plans and financing of sample homes.
Plans for Ukrainian Retirement Home
Over time, the UECC Management has had many inquiries about the possibility of sponsoring a privately owned Retirement Home for Senior Citizens. To test the interest in our community, Management of the Center conducted a mini-survey which confirmed a strong need for such a facility, and a substantial number of families who would like to buy condominiums or town houses, as early as possible.
A working committee was formed approximately one year ago, with representation of business, financial and real estate specialists. This team looked for and found very desirable locations in the vicinity of the Center. It also evaluated various available options pertaining to independent living; assisted living accommodations and long term care options. Based on this research, broad project development guidelines were drafted jointly with a reputable and well-established Health Provider Organization This organization can not only offer assistance during the planning and construction stage, but also manage the needs of future residents in all phases of life. We have also ascertained the most suitable legal structure and affiliation of the proposed Retirement Home with the UECC.
In order to bring this project to fruition, the Center needs to find investor(s) (no more than five) who would be interested in providing initial capital for the completion of the development plans and the financing of a sample home. An investment of approximately $500,000 would be for about two years and is expected to yield a return of 10% to 12%, p.a. It will be repaid from the proceeds of the sale of individual residential units. Construction financing has been lined up and can be procured once the project plans are in place.
The Ukrainian Community of Philadelphia has expressed a strong need for a private Retirement Home with all the amenities, as well as social and recreational services structured to meet the interests of the Ukrainian people. We have long debated such a building; its construction in this community is well overdue. Similar private projects in other locations in this country have been extremely successful.
We strongly encourage potential investors, who would like to assist in the formation of this highly visible project and receive community recognition and financial returns for their participation, to call the Center (215-663-1166) for further details.