Social Outreach: Face-to-Face with Tomorrow by Together
Arriving in Sokal, Ukraine, an unassuming town some 85km north of Lviv, one would never expect to find a powerhouse non-profit initiative. Yet, that is exactly what we found on August 25-26, and why the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia accompanied Fernando Ramirez, founder of NGO Bridges 2030, to Sokal—to meet with Tomorrow by Together (TBT) face-to-face after months of connecting over ZOOM
TBT, a Caritas affiliated youth non-profit, was founded by teenagers for teenagers. What began as an impromptu initiative during COVID has become Sokal’s most ardent enterprise. Although very loosely monitored by Marjana Jaremchuk, Director of Caritas-Sokal, the group of approximately 10-15 teenagers meet weekly without any prompting or need for adult supervision to propose, vote on, and execute fundraising projects to benefit the community. Whether organizing concerts in the park or kayaking excursions on the Buh River, these dedicated students voluntarily fundraise in support of elderly and orphans in the community, as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs) that have settled in Sokal from war-torn towns and villages. We were humbled by the opportunity to visit two shelters run by Caritas-Sokal for IDPs which benefit from TBT’s fundraising and volunteer efforts.
TBT has gained the respect of the entire town including Mayor, Serhiy Kasian who graciously welcomed Bridges 2030, the Archeparchy, and TBT in his chambers, where Mr. Ramirez presented the TEEEM | Bridges 2030 Ukraine Initiative, whereby high school students in the United States will be connected with students (TBT) in Ukraine to collaborate on a project that, on one hand will aid Ukraine, and on the other, instill empathy and compassion in American youth through inter-cultural interaction.
The TEEEM | Bridges 2030 Ukraine Initiative already has five schools in the Philadelphia Tri-State area interested in collaborating with TBT as well as one school in New Zealand.
Having produced a documentary film Beyond the Statistics, amplifying the voices of displaced persons in the United States, Mr. Ramirez also interviewed members of TBT for a series of short vignettes to be used as educational tools for US students.
