Ukraine

The Country

Capital: Kyiv (not Kiev)

Population: 42.39 million pre war (UNHCR estimates more than 7.8 million refugees from Ukraine recorded across Europe alone since 24 February 2022)

Size: 233,062 sq. miles

Currency: Hryvnia

Language: Ukrainian

Religion: Byzantine (Greek) Catholic, Orthodox

Geopolitical: EU & Ukraine Association Agreement signed in 2014

The Community

Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church

Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church (Pokrova), was originally established in 1957 as St. Pius X Ukrainian Catholic Church. The name was changed in 1988 in conjunction with the celebration of 1000 years of Christianity in Ukraine.

Pokrova serves the spiritual needs of Ukrainian Catholics in Tex-as, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas and Oklahoma and is in the jurisdiction of the Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Diocese in Chicago, Illinois. The Saint Nicholas Diocese is headed by Bishop Richard Stephen Seminack and has jurisdiction for all Ukrainian Catholics west of the Mississippi, plus Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In the United States, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church is Archbishop Borys Gudzi-ak, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The leader of the worldwide Ukrainian Catholic Church is Sviatoslav Shevchuk, based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

A former pastor of Pokrova, Rev. Dr. Dmytro Blazejowskyj, a church historian, was co‐founder of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Slavic Heritage Day Festival.

The current pastor is Rev. Mykola Dovzhuk. The pastor and parishioners of Pokrova wel-come all to join the parish in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy each Sunday at 10am.

Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston

UACCH is a non‐profit organization established in 1975. Membership is comprised of Ukrainians, Ukrainian Americans, and those who have an interest in working towards and promoting the club’s aims. UACCH is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

The purposes of UACCH are:

to preserve Ukrainian national identity and cultural heritage through education;
to promote a greater understanding of Ukrainian history and culture;
to encourage active participation of Ukrainian Americans in promoting the welfare of the Ukrainian community;
to initiate and uphold ties with other Ukrainians, as well as Americans and interna-tional organizations for;
to support and champion educational and charitable initiatives;
to provide charitable assistance to Ukrainian organizations within and outside the United States.

Ukrainian National Women’s League of America , Inc., Branch 118

UNWLA was founded in 1925. This non‐profit organization is comprised of women who uphold the preservation of Ukrainian language, culture and traditions. There are branches of UNWLA all over the world, connecting women in an unbroken continuum of concern for social welfare, cultural awareness, educational opportunity and other noteworthy causes. The organization’s purpose and goals are based on principles of Christian ethics, Chris-tian rights and social equality.

Locally, Houston Branch 118 has engaged in the following:

Annual Easter and Christmas Bazaars featuring traditional Ukrainian bakery, ethnic foods and cra s
Classes on the art of making Ukrainian Easter Eggs (Pysanky)
Charitable aid to economically disadvantaged individuals both locally and abroad
Scholarship fund for students.
Shipment of food, clothing, medicine, and medical equipment to Ukraine.
Support of the Ukrainian Museum in New York

Ukrainian School of Houston — Ridna Shkola (RSH)

RSH is a non‐denominational, non‐profit organization for pre‐K through 11th grade stu-dents. Ukrainian language, history, and culture are taught in an enjoyable environment. Students are also exposed to traditional dance, song, arts, and cra s. USH also partici-pates in many multicultural activities in Texas.

Classes are typically held on Sundays from 12 noon to 3 pm at Pokrova Ukrainian Church Hall @ 9100 Meadowshire, Houston, Texas 77037. Students with little or no Ukrainian language are welcome.

HTX4Ukraine

The organization was established in the direct responce to the February 24th, 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by russia. Founded by passionate Houston-based Ukrainians and Americans with Ukrainian roots, 100% volunteer run, this public charity's goal is to SAVE AND PROTECT LIVES IN UKRAINE. They do it by fundraising for, purchasing and providing medical as well as non-lethal military aid to those in need on the frontlines in Ukraine.

HTX4Ukraine operates with 0 (zero) overhead, and is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity.