CREECA has compiled a list of charitable organizations providing humanitarian aid in Ukraine as well as faculty and staff-recommended informational resources to learn about the ongoing conflict. This page will be regularly updated.
As citizens and educators, we join our voices to those of the UN, U.S. government, and wider international community in condemnation of this war and of the Russian political regime that made it possible. As educators, we know that this aggression will change forever the shape of the region we teach, how we teach it, and how we conceive of it in our scholarship.
As our thoughts go to the people of Ukraine whose lives are threatened by this war, and to the people of Russia who protest the war, we underscore our commitment to inform our students on this complex and painful situation and to help build greater understanding among our students and the wider public about the cultural, political, and social forces at work in this tragic situation.
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Informational Resources
Timothy Snyder on Substack Thinking About: “Helping Ukrainians survive the Easter Offensive” — updated list of trustworthy small groups supporting Ukrainians on the ground.
Timothy Snyder on his Substack Thinking About: “Some New Ways to Help Ukrainians.”
Ukrainian Newspapers in English: The Kyiv Independent, The Kyiv Post, The New Voice of Ukraine.
Russian Independent Newspapers in English: Meduza, The Moscow Times.
Global Conflict Tracker: Conflict in Ukraine (Council on Foreign Relations).
Council on Foreign Relations’ Ukraine Topic Page — background and real-time analysis as the war unfolds.
Articles
Interview with Fiona Hill in Politico on Putin’s background
Article by Shura Burtin in Meduza on why many Russians support the war in Ukraine
Interviews with CREECA faculty in the news media can be found here.
Charitable Organizations
Wonder Heritage Language Centre volunteer opportunity for speakers of Russian and Ukrainian to tutor Ukrainian refugees arriving in the U.S. or Canada in need of English language skills.
Vostok SOS: A Kyiv-based NGO that provides evacuation support, humanitarian aid, and psychosocial support.
Voices of Children: A Ukraine-based charitable foundation that gives psychological and psychosocial support to children who suffered as a result of war operations.
Razom for Ukraine: A Ukraine-based charitable organization providing critical medical supplies and amplifying the voices of Ukrainians.
Siepomaga: A Polish foundation that will be critically supporting refugees from Ukraine.
Polish Humanitarian Action: A Polish NGO providing humanitarian aid including food and other forms of support to people who had to leave their homes.
People in Need: Provides humanitarian aid in the form of food packages, emergency shelter, safe access to drinking water, hygiene items, and coal for heating to those most in need.
GlobalGiving: A Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund used to provide shelter, food, and clean water for refugees, health and psychosocial support, access to education and economic assistance.
Kyiv Independent Newspaper GoFundMe: Support the Kyiv Independent newspaper which continues to work and bring the world trusted, important information about facts on the ground.
Sunflower of Peace: A Boston, U.S.A.-based non-profit. Donations support the preparation of first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.
United Help Ukraine: A U.S.-based charitable non-profit organization distributing donations, food, and medical supplies and engaging in advocacy and awareness events.
Nova Ukraine: A U.S.-based nonprofit organization that delivers aid packages to Ukraine with everything from baby food and hygiene products to clothes and household supplies.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency: Donations help UNHCR provide protection, shelter, and other forms of assistance.
UNICEF: Donations help UNICEF provide health and hygiene supplies and safe water to conflict-affected areas, mobile psychosocial care for children, and other forms of assistance.
International Committee of the Red Cross: Works with the Ukrainian Red Cross Society to provide emergency assistance, support medical facilities, and reunite families separated by conflict.
Save the Children: London-based charitable organization that provides children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and cash assistance.
CARE: A U.S.-based charitable organization that provides water, food, hygiene kits, and ongoing support in Ukraine.
International Medical Corps: Provides medical care, mental health and psychosocial support, and gender-based violence treatment and prevention services.
Catholic Relief Services: Provides safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, fuel for warmth, transport to safe areas, counseling support, and more.
The International Rescue Committee: Supporting government and local non-profits in Poland as they prepare to receive refugees from Ukraine.
Fundraiser for Iryna Tekuchova by Avery Horne : Help Ukrainians with Disabilities: through a Ukrainian NGO and the funds are specifically to help disabled Ukrainians with accessible exit strategies, accessible transportation, access to food, and medical care.
Local Events and Engagement
Salvatore’s: Order the Chicken Kyiv inspired 16″ pie and Sal’s will donate $10 for each one sold to the World Central Kitchen. See their website for more details.
City Bar: $1 of every purchase of the “Ukrainian Honey” cocktail will be donated to the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. See website and Instagram @citybarmadison for more details.
Door County Candle Company: 100% of profits from the Ukraine Candle will be donated to Razom for Ukraine.
Leopold’s Books, Bar, and Cafe: Starting March 15th, Leopold’s will be hosting a Tuesday night Ukrainian dinner in which 100% of net proceeds are donated to support World Central Kitchen. Additionally, 100% of net proceeds from any Ukrainian or Russian titles will also be donated to WCK. See their website and Instagram @leopolds_madison for more information.
Bloom Bake Shop: Bloom is participating in Hamantashen for Ukraine, a show of bakery solidarity for the people of Ukraine. Profits of hamantashen sales are donated directly by participating bakers to the Polish Humanitarian Action. See Instagram @hamantashen_for_ukraine and @bloombakeshop for more details.
I/O Arcade Bar: For the rest of March, $2 of every purchase of the “Moscow Mousse” cocktail will be donated to the Ukrainian Red Cross. See Instagram @ioarcadebar for more information.
JSA Coffee Roasters: In partnership with Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc, 100% of the profits of the “Coffee for Ukraine” dark roast blend will be donated to Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. to help provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.
Resources for UW-Madison Students
Mental Health Services (MHS) at ISS drop-in advising
ISS drop-in advising can connect you with an MHS counselor in ISS office space or virtually. The link for MHS at ISS will be different each day, so will be provided to students when they join ISS drop-in advising. Only one counselor is available for both modalities, so there may be a wait time.
- Wednesday, March 2, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 3, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 4, 8:30-10:30 a.m. (may be virtual-only MHS services)
Severe Economic Hardship employment authorization option
You may be eligible to apply for a special type of work authorization called Severe Economic Hardship. International Division and ISS may be able to support the $410 USCIS filing fee. Come to ISS drop-in advising or send your ISS advisor a Terra Dotta Information Request to review your eligibility.
The Dean of Student’s Office is a primary resource for connecting students who are navigating personal, academic, or health issues, to supportive campus and community resources. The office serves all students in our campus community, and ensures that students are provided the support and assistance they need when facing difficult situations. The Dean of Student’s Office is a great starting point for when students, faculty, and staff are unsure of where to go to get help. They have drop in hours Monday-Friday; 8:30am-4pm and can meet with students in person, virtually, over the phone, or through email.
University Health Services (UHS) Crisis Line: If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, concerned for the well-being of someone you know, or thinking about suicide the UHS crisis line is available to support you. The crisis line is available 24/7, 365 days per year. The crisis line number is (608) 265-5600 option 9.
Call the UHS crisis line to speak with an on-call crisis counselor who will:
- Help address your most pressing concerns
- Assess your safety
- Connect you with follow-up service needs
- For information on coping with critical incident stress, including a summary of common experiences and recommendations for self-care, review UHS’s Coping with Critical Incident Stress handout.
UHS Let’s Talk: Virtual, online versions of informal one-on-one drop-in consultations with a counselor are available throughout the semester. Students need to sign up for a time slot via an online form for virtual sections of Let’s Talk. Students are often able to speak with a counselor within a few days at Let’s Talk.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Offering Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukrainian nationals in the United States. The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. TPS is a temporary immigration status for eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States. Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS. Please see the above two links for more information about this status.
Resources for Educators
Harvard University Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI) List of Teaching Resources.
American Political Science Association Recorded Webinar “Strategies for Teaching About Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine.”
1 Hour Udemy Online Course “Ukraine: History, Culture, and Identities” (free with registration) — A short introductory course in the history, culture, and society of Ukraine from the Middle Ages to the present. The course is aimed not only to provide basic knowledge of Ukrainian history and culture but to reveal Ukrainian impact on European and world history.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s 90-minute interview with prominent Russian journalists (with English subtitles). New York Times article about this interview.
The Washington Post article “How Ukraine became Ukraine, in 7 maps” — depicts Ukraine’s changing borders from the 8th century through the present day.
Historical Atlas of Ukraine (Harvard University) — Ukraine’s past lends itself to diverse studies, from dynastic marriage in the Middle Ages to the Great Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33.
Historical Maps of Ukraine (edmaps.com).
Article by Ani Kokobobo on “How should Dostoevsky and Tolstoy be read during Russia’s war against Ukraine?”
“What 7th graders want to know about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine” — CREECA faculty member, Professor Yoshiko Herrera, answers 7th graders’ questions on WPR’s Morning Show.
The Washington Post “How to talk to kids about Ukraine.”
National Writing Project “Teaching news literacy in the midst of unfolding crises.”
National Writing Project “How to talk to children about the invasion of Ukraine, and why those conversations are important.”
Education Week “8 Resources Teachers Are Using to Discuss Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine.”
“The Ukraine Crisis – Teaching the News Lesson” from the Choices Program at Brown University.
Model Diplomacy Case from the Council on Foreign Relations: “Defending Ukraine”
National Education Association: “Teaching About the War in Ukraine”
New York Times: “How Educators Around the World Are Teaching the Russia-Ukraine War”
Council on Foreign Relations: “Timeline: Ukraine’s Struggle for Independence in Russia’s Shadow”
Ukrainica at Harvard: Primary Database of Ukrainian Studies