One Year Later: Our President’s Update.
Last October, a series of open conference calls began with the aim of illuminating the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine’s current driving mission. Put simply in hindsight, we had sought to answer the question: “How can we as a community build a platform where Ukraine RPCVs can connect after service, impact the lives of Ukrainians, and support serving and returned volunteers alike?” More than 50 returned and still serving Ukraine PCVs participated in these discussions over the course of three months. Since that time, we’ve more than just discovered our collective answer: we’ve acted on it. We’ve worked to build a platform where now more than 500 Ukraine RPCVs are connected and living their shared values gained through serving the Peace Corps’ mission in Ukraine, while creating and supporting activities that provide natural continuations of that service.
A year later, as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine has received generous contributions that have gone directly towards supporting serving volunteers’ efforts in the field, while building and connecting regional networks of Ukraine RPCVs, with representation in over nine major cities from Kyiv to Seattle. We are working daily to lay a foundation for this organization that will transcend current leadership and serve its mission for generations of Ukraine RPCVs and Ukrainians alike.
With this history and future in mind, we ask you to join us in being an RPCV ally for Ukraine. Whether you are sharing your passion for Ukraine with those who’ve never been exposed to the unique perspective on its people only gained through Peace Corps service, seeking to connect with other Ukraine RPCVs in your local area, or are simply a recently returned volunteer adjusting to life after service, know that the RPCV Alliance for Ukraine is here to foster your continued commitment to serving Ukrainians and the Peace Corps mission at home, in Ukraine, and beyond.
Yours in service,
Kevin Blossfeld
President, RPCV Alliance for Ukraine
Ukraine 15’-17’