YouLEAD, an annual program for Ukrainian Youth Leadership Engagement and Development, brought 16 participants to the USA in 2025. This opportunity fosters an environment for professional growth but for many, this was a breath of peace and normalcy away from the realities of war back home.
“The YouLEAD program showed me that despite any difficulties, you can remain active and influence the world around you. Even during daily shelling and blackouts, our community does not give up. We discuss plans, apply for projects, and inspire each other with new ideas every week.”
-Valeria Makarenko, 16 Kharkiv
Shoulder to shoulder, sixteen parts of one whole, continue making a difference for the common good. Some share their stories, inspire others and end up featured in local media like Maksym Zahorodnii. Others organize large-scale events such as Job Atlas to apply the skills they’ve gained – like Alisa Sherbak. They return home to build strong teams, like Stefaniia Durytska, who led a local forest cleanup. They share their knowledge within NGOs, like Diana Bulai.
Above all, YouLEAD participants continue to contribute to the program’s future and stay engaged, shaping the reality of the next generation.
They rise, they lead, and they remind the world what courage looks like.
Do you have a meeting, workshop, or event coming up that you are facilitating and need advice on? Would you have won a gold medal for your amazing facilitation and think others could benefit from learning what you did?
Our FREE monthly Community of Practice is the perfect space to learn, share, and grow together! It’s kind of like free professional development. You don’t have to be a formal facilitator – if you are convening groups, leading meetings, or implementing projects and plans, this is a valuable time to get advice, give advice, and learn from members of the HueLife community. After all, HUE is all about human understanding and engagement!
? When: Every fourth Tuesday of the month* from 2:00–3:00 p.m. CT
? Where: Online via Zoom
Bring your real-world challenges and questions—whether they’re broad (“How do I improve my facilitation skills?”) or specific (“I’m facilitating ____ and need advice on using ____ method.”)—and gain insights from a community eager to support and learn from one another.
Even if you’re just curious about facilitation, you’re welcome to join!
We look forward to seeing you in the Zoom room!
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In times when so little can be controlled and so much pressure falls on the shoulders of the younger generation, Ukrainian youth have never given up. YouLEAD brought 16 participants to the USA in 2025 for professional growth and a breath of peace away from war. These young leaders continue to inspire their communities and remind the world what courage looks like.
