Defunct community organization supports Chornobyl relief efforts (01/05/97)

Defunct community organization supports Chornobyl relief efforts

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. - When John Seleman thinks back to his youth, he proudly recalls a statewide organization that once was a powerhouse in the Ukrainian community in Connecticut. The Ukrainian Youth Organization of Connecticut is part of the forgotten heritage of the Ukrainian diaspora, but in its own time it laid a solid foundation for the vibrant community life that has characterized the parishes and community centers of many towns scattered across southern New England.

This fall, to mark the fifth anniversary of Ukrainian independence, the trustees of the UYOC contributed $6,000 to the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund as an expression of solidarity and continuity between the youth of yesteryear and the future generations of children who will inherit an independent Ukraine.

"We've been following the successes of this relief group," said Mr. Seleman in presenting the check to CCRF's Hartford Chapter, one of the most active in the country. "We're pleased to see how much progress has been made in bringing relief to the poor children in Ukraine."

The trustees made their donation in the belief that CCRF embodies the charitable principles of the UYOC. Its involvement of youth of all denominations and its concerted effort to reach out to compassionate Americans beyond the Ukrainian community are reminiscent of some of the most creative efforts launched in the 1930s by this once prominent youth group.

Though he is now in his late 70s and recovering from illness, Mr. Seleman's eyes still light up with excitement when he tells of the many successes he and his colleagues achieved at the height of the Great Depression and World War II.

To a large degree, the UYOC comprised the sons and daughters of the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants who established farms in the fertile Connecticut River Valley and who worked in the textile mills and machine shops of towns like Terryville and Bristol, New Britain and Willimantic.

The story of the UYOC deserves its own rich chapter in the history of the emigre community. Established in the summer of 1937, the organization was devoted to building unity between young people of Ukrainian descent without regard to religious or political affiliation. It organized choral concerts, seasonal dances, community forums, sports leagues, a scholarship fund and charity drives.

By the time World War II erupted, the group had become a force to be reckoned with. Its Shevchenko Memorial Concert in March of 1941 drew an audience of 1,300, including Connecticut Gov. William Hurley, who addressed the crowd.

The UYOC played an important role in disseminating information on Ukrainian history to prominent Americans and institutions across the state. It co-sponsored the publication of an English translation of Hrushevsky's "History of Ukraine," Ivan Franko's "Zakhar Berkut" and the distribution of recordings by the Ukrainian National Choir under the direction of Oleksander Koshetz.

In 1943, the group staged its own War Bond Drive, which raised $13,000 - a very significant sum for that time. Although World War II stimulated a great deal of activity on the part of the UYOC, it also took its toll on some of the association's core membership. The group's honor roll counted 655 Connecticut men and women of Ukrainian descent who served in the Armed Forces. Many of these made the supreme sacrifice for their country. Others returned disabled and emotionally traumatized by their experience.

By the 1950s the UYOC began to weaken in influence as a new wave of political immigrants began to dominate community life with powerful youth organizations such as Plast and SUM-A.

Even so, the legacy of the UYOC remains. Its members and descendants established a tradition of community activism and strategic planning that has sustained many parishes and programs throughout Connecticut's Ukrainian community. Several of its members went on to occupy positions of considerable prominence in the state's political arena, such as former Hartford County Sheriff Russell Huk. Mr. Seleman went on to serve as the first president of the Self-Reliance Hartford Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, which now boasts over $22 million in assets and 400 members.

There have also been important symbolic victories. In New Britain, commuters traveling to Central Connecticut State University and the popular West Farms Mall via Route 9 are continually reminded by official road signs that they are traveling the "Taras Shevchenko Memorial Highway" in honor of the Ukrainian patriot and poet.

The political influence of the Ukrainian community continues to be felt as the Connecticut congressional delegation, led by U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro, Barbara Kennelly and Sam Gejdenson, hail the achievements of Ukrainian Americans in their districts and support aid to Ukraine through their public pronouncements and legislative action.

For more information, contact Alex Kuzma at the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, (203) 407-0261; Ksenia Kyzyk, (201) 376-5140; or Nadia Haftkowycz, (860) 956-3834.

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