A charity art event “Wounds to Wonders” was held in New Haven, Connecticut, dedicated to supporting wounded Ukrainian soldiers undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the Zhytomyr Military Hospital. The event was organized by the Ukrainian American Humanitarian Aid Fund, a non-profit organization that has been helping Ukrainian soldiers and hospitals for a long time.
This was reported by St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The exhibition was held at the St. Michael the Archangel Church. Guests were treated to Ukrainian cuisine, a musical program, and an exhibition of paintings created by wounded soldiers during rehabilitation. As the organizers noted, these works are not just art, but “stories of courage, pain, and rebirth, brought to life in colors and brushstrokes.”
The funds raised during the event will go to support the art therapy program for wounded soldiers, launched in Ukraine under the leadership of Yulia Tolmachova, head of the Veteran’s Home in Zhytomyr. Tolmachova is a nationally awarded volunteer and mother of a serviceman, head of the Veteran’s Home in Zhytomyr, and has been helping Ukrainian defenders since 2014, both in hospitals and directly on the front lines. In this art therapy center, wounded soldiers not only receive medical care, but also regain strength through creativity, overcoming the consequences of physical and psychological injuries.
In addition, the funds will be used to purchase medical drugs and equipment for the Zhytomyr Military Hospital, finance a drone to evacuate the wounded from the combat zone, and provide the “On the Shield” transport to transport fallen heroes.
Volunteers of the New Haven Ukrainian American Humanitarian Aid Fund thanked everyone who joined the event, including the parish of St. Michael the Archangel Church and the Ukrainian community of Connecticut.
“We thank all our parishioners and volunteers of our district for their active work in preparing the charity event! The paintings were painted by wounded soldiers!”, the organizers noted.
Background
The New Haven Connecticut Ukrainian American Humanitarian Aid Fund (NHCT UAHA Fund) is a non-profit organization in the United States. The Fund operates as an official charitable organization under the auspices of the Ukrainian community of Connecticut to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, support Ukrainian military personnel, wounded, medical institutions, and war-affected civilians.
Its activities are aimed, in particular, at organizing fundraising and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, purchasing medicines, medical equipment, rehabilitation facilities, as well as supporting psychological and rehabilitation programs, including art therapy for wounded soldiers, and educational work among the American community regarding events in Ukraine.
The Foundation operates in partnership with the parish of St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Haven, which is one of the key centers of Ukrainian public life in the region.
Photo: St Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Author: Inna Mikhno