Meet Our Team at Slavics.org: Supporting Ukrainian Refugees in the USA

At Slavics Refugee and Immigrant Services Organization (Slavics.org), our mission is to provide comprehensive support to Ukrainian refugees displaced by the ongoing war. With the dedication of our talented and passionate team, we strive to help individuals and families rebuild their lives, offering guidance, resources, and a community of care. Our team brings diverse skills and experiences together, creating a network of assistance to those who need it most.

Our Mission

Slavics.org was founded with the goal of providing a lifeline to Slavic refugees and immigrants, with a special focus on those displaced by the war in Ukraine. We understand the trauma and uncertainty that refugees face, and our team is committed to offering comprehensive support services. These include:

Housing and Shelter: Helping refugees find safe and stable housing.

Legal Aid: Assisting with immigration paperwork and navigating the legal system.

Employment Services: Connecting refugees with job opportunities and career counseling.

Educational Support: Ensuring children can enroll in school and succeed academically, as well as offering adult education programs.

Mental Health Services: Providing counseling and mental health resources to support emotional well-being.

Community Integration: Offering language classes, cultural programs, and community-building activities to help refugees feel at home in the U.S.

Svitlana Tsepko serves as the Project Manager at Slavics.org, where she plays a vital role in overseeing and coordinating various projects that align with the organization’s mission of promoting Slavic culture and supporting the Ukrainian refugee community. With her wealth of experience and profound understanding of Slavic traditions, Svitlana has been instrumental in driving the success of many key initiatives.

Under her leadership, Slavics.org has launched a range of programs that focus on cultural preservation, educational empowerment, and community integration for Ukrainian refugees. Svitlana’s strategic oversight ensures that each project is thoughtfully designed and implemented, addressing the unique needs of those it serves.

Evgenia Vorobyova has become a vital part of the volunteer community at Slavics.org, an organization dedicated to supporting Ukrainian refugees. With the ongoing War in Ukraine, many individuals and families have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety, and Evgenia has stepped up to help them navigate the challenges of resettling in a new country.

Through her work at Slavics.org, Evgenia assists refugees in various capacities, providing resources, language support, and helping them integrate into local communities. Her dedication to the cause is evident in her willingness to go above and beyond to make sure each refugee receives the care and attention they need.

Evgenia’s personal connection to the cause, empathy, and strong organizational skills make her an invaluable asset to the Slavics.org team. By giving her time and effort to this important work, she helps ensure that Ukrainian refugees have a smoother transition and feel more welcomed in their new environment.

Greetings, everyone! My name is Rusalina Kuzmenko. The war in February 2022 found me in Kiev. I know what war is, the horror and shock on people’s faces, nights spent in bomb shelters, and the bewilderment in the eyes of adults trying to comfort children. I know what it’s like to lose loved ones due to war and to worry about the family left behind in Ukraine. I walk this path alongside millions of Ukrainians. Since the summer of 2022, I have been residing in the United States, navigating the path of “forced migration.” With several degrees in psychology and sociology, coupled with experience in both charitable endeavors and business, I bring a unique perspective to our team at the foundation.

One of my core values is to be kind to people and to leave a lasting impression on them through the experiences they have with me. In the end, as we reflect on our lives, I believe we will cherish only the love we shared and the quality time spent with others. Drawing from my experience in developing various business training programs, facilitating group therapy sessions, and working with children, I am driven to create projects aimed at aiding the integration of Ukrainians into American society.

My goal is to provide them with self-help tools and support, assisting them in identifying the resources they can offer to enrich American society with their skills, culture, and creativity.

Sergiy Vorobyov has made a significant impact as a volunteer at Slavics.org, where he dedicates his time to supporting Ukrainian refugees in their transition to new lives. With the displacement of many Ukrainians due to the ongoing conflict, Sergiy plays a key role in helping these individuals navigate the often overwhelming challenges of resettlement.

Sergiy’s commitment to his volunteer work is driven by a deep sense of compassion and solidarity with the Ukrainian community. His ability to connect with refugees on a personal level, combined with his practical support, makes him a vital member of the Slavics.org team.

Through his efforts, Sergiy contributes not only to easing the hardships faced by Ukrainian refugees but also to fostering a sense of hope and belonging. His work stands as a reminder of how volunteerism can create a profound and lasting impact in the lives of those in need.

Nataliia Romaniuk is a highly experienced psychologist specializing in the development and well-being of children across different age groups, as well as their parents and teams. Her expertise spans a wide range of activities, with a focus on educational and corrective work with teenagers. Through her efforts, Nataliia helps adolescents overcome challenges, discover their strengths, and find their path in life.

In her practice, Nataliia provides individual and group consultations, fostering the emotional intelligence, social skills, and self-esteem of children and adolescents. Her work with parents is centered on improving mutual understanding within the family, developing effective parenting strategies, and offering support during difficult situations.

In addition to her counseling services, Nataliia is an active educator, delivering lectures and workshops to a broad audience, where she shares her knowledge and experience. Her approach is always individualized, ensuring that the unique needs and circumstances of each child and family are taken into account. She incorporates modern psychological methods and tools to achieve the best outcomes for her clients.

Janet Allen is very pleased to work with refugees and new comers to San Diego. She is very much looking forward to assisting and teaching English to Ukrainians. She has an M.A. in linguistics and ESL and a B.A. in Japanese literature from a prestigious Jesuit university in Tokyo, Sophia University, and the University of Washington, Seattle. Having settled in the diverse city of San Diego for 35 years, she has experience teaching English to people from over twenty language groups from scholars to new families and young adults. Janet has taught in all the major universities and community colleges in San Diego. She is currently teaching at EF in Point Loma. In her free time, she travels with her husband, daughter and their Akita dog.