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Our Mission and Vision
Our mission as Ukrainians in Orange County is to unite and strengthen our community through cultural preservation, education, and outreach. We will achieve this by organizing community events, fundraisers, and national holidays for the Ukrainian community that celebrate our rich cultural heritage and promote social cohesion. In addition, we are committed to supporting refugees and Ukrainian defenders through active volunteering and other forms of assistance. We will collaborate with local municipalities and nonprofit organizations that support Ukraine to amplify our collective voice and leverage resources for maximum impact. By building bridges with other cultural communities, honoring our heritage, and serving those in need, we aim to inspire future generations to cherish and preserve Ukrainian culture in Orange County and elsewhere.
Our vision is a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient community that proudly embraces and preserves our Ukrainian heritage, language, and traditions. We envision a future where Ukrainian culture is widely celebrated and appreciated by the wider community, and where our language and traditions are passed down from generation to generation. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, we aim to inspire and empower future generations to carry on the legacy of our Ukrainian heritage in Orange County and beyond.
Our History
In 2012, Roksolana created a Facebook group, Ukrainians In Orange County, that quickly grew as community members joined to network and participate in Ukrainian events. Shortly after russian annexation of Crimea, the group became the main resource for Ukrainians in Orange County to keep up-to-date with all community events and news. Oksana joined the admin team as an event organizer and fundraising coordinator.
In 2023, Ukrainians in Orange County partnered with UACC, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization committed to developing sustainable and enduring Ukrainian communities all over the United States. Two of the founders – Maria and Oksana – became official representatives of UACC in SoCal.
In 2025, Ukrainians in Orange County became a registered non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Our mission has grown to provide not only events where Ukrainians can come together, but also to provide support to refugees here in OC and those back in Ukraine that need our support.
Your support will help us make life better
Our Board of Directors
Oksana Pashko, President
Oksana moved to Orange County in 2010. In 2014, after an illegal war waged by russia, Oksana joined Roxolana in organizing Ukrainian community events and fundraising to help Ukrainian defenders. Oksana feels that volunteering for the community is very important, and feels that her work helps preserve Ukrainian heritage, culture and language.
Roksolana Zhuravchak, Vice President and Treasurer
Roksolana and family immigrated to the USA in 2007. In 2009, she started organizing meetings with other Ukrainian families to speak Ukrainian, celebrate Ukrainian holidays and share experiences of life in the USA. In 2012 Roksolana created Ukrainians in Orange County group on Facebook. After the Russian invasion of the eastern regions of Ukraine in 2014, the community of Ukrainians in the OC significantly grew and Roksolana with other volunteers took the lead in organizing community events and creating Ukrainian language classes for children. Love of helping others motivates Roxolana to continue volunteering for the Ukrainian community.
Kseniia Lagoda, Secretary
Kseniia became a part of the Ukrainian community in Orange County in 2013. As time passed, she felt the desire to contribute more to the community, and she joined the group of leaders in 2022. Kseniia is working on various projects that aim to benefit both new and existing members of the community.
Maria Kobylianska, Board Member
Maria Kobylianska moved to Oange County in 2020 from Chicago , Illinois and in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 she has dedicated herself to volunteering and providing aid to the Ukrainian community in Orange County, California
One of her achievements is the establishment of the Ukrainian Kids Summer Camp, where children from Ukrainian refugee kids could spent summertime together and find a sense of belonging and normalcy during difficult transition time.
Maria also spearheaded the creation of the Ukrainian School of Orange County, where kids can learn Ukrainian language and culture classes, providing children and their families with the opportunity to preserve their heritage while adapting to their new surroundings.
Furthermore, she has been instrumental in organizing rallies and fundraising events to raise awareness and gather resources in support of Ukraine. These events not only unite the Ukrainian community in Orange County but also serve as a platform for advocacy and solidarity with those affected by the ongoing war.
Mick Safron, Board Member
Mick is a seasoned biohacker with a strong tech and project management background, having worked at Facebook and Google before becoming a respected leader in the biohacking community. He combines technology and human biology to unlock human potential and connect people, while also shaping startups and fostering collaboration. Beyond biohacking, Mick is deeply involved in Ukrainian-American community building on a national level: he serves as SVP of Partnerships and Fundraising at the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council (UACC), Board Member and Treasurer of the American Coalition for Ukraine, and President of Ukrainian Hub USA, supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurs in building bridges between the U.S. and Ukraine.
Volodymyr Shram, Board Member
Volodymyr is a long-time member of Orange County Ukrainian community and is a dedicated supporter of Ukraine. He is a technology, consulting and management expert with a focus on emerging technologies for companies in different business domains, ISVs, start-ups and large corporations.