More than 500 community members gathered for another inspiring Ukrainian Kolo — a family-oriented event that brought together Ukrainian families, community leaders, professionals, and newcomers for a day of meaningful conversations, valuable information, new connections, and shared experiences.

One of the most meaningful moments of this Ukrainian Kolo was the celebration of participants in the Youth Engagement for Success (YES) Program, a youth development initiative designed to help young people explore their strengths, expand their vision for the future, and take meaningful steps toward their educational and career goals.

Over the past several months, YES participants have actively engaged in workshops, educational activities, leadership development opportunities, career exploration experiences, and special learning events, including a recent educational tour to Silicon Valley, where students visited Stanford University, Google, Apple, and other innovation-focused destinations.

During Ukrainian Kolo, Ukrainian American House hosted a special recognition ceremony honoring the young people who successfully completed this stage of the program. Participants received certificates, awards, commemorative photos, and words of encouragement as they reflected on their journey and celebrated the progress they have made.

Throughout the program, many students discovered new interests, gained confidence in their abilities, and began to develop a clearer vision for their future. Parents also shared positive feedback about the impact the program had on their children, noting increased motivation, curiosity, self-confidence, and engagement in planning for future educational opportunities.

UA House believes that investing in young people today helps build stronger communities tomorrow. We look forward to continuing to expand the YES Program and creating even more opportunities for future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

In addition to the youth recognition ceremony, Ukrainian Kolo also featured a dedicated children’s educational area. Young participants took part in creative activities, including making handmade Father’s Day gifts in preparation for the upcoming holiday. Families also had opportunities to learn more about educational resources and programs available to support their children’s academic success and personal growth.

A special highlight of the event was the participation of Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco, who joined the community for an open discussion and Q&A session alongside Vlad Skots, Chairman of Ukrainian American House and CEO of USKO.

Community members had the opportunity to ask questions on a wide range of topics, including passports, documentation, powers of attorney, family-related matters, and other consular services important to Ukrainians living in the United States. The discussion provided attendees with direct access to reliable information and practical guidance on issues affecting many Ukrainian families.

Events like Ukrainian Kolo continue to demonstrate the strength of our community and the importance of creating spaces where families can connect, learn, support one another, and build a stronger future together.

Ukrainian American House extends its sincere gratitude to all participants, volunteers, partners, sponsors, and special guests who helped make this event a success.