Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation names executive and associate directors

CHICAGO - The Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation (UCEF) has named Maria Salemi its first executive director and Borys Bodnaruk an associate director. UCEF is an international non-profit organization helping to rebuild the Catholic Church and Catholic educational institutions in Ukraine.

"The dramatic success of our first three years, particularly in having raised more than $1 million in 1999, has led to a need for more executive staff," says Jeffrey Wills, UCEF president. "I am pleased to have these two talented individuals here to move our mission forward."

As executive director, Ms. Salemi will direct overall operations of the foundation, including administrative and management initiatives, donor relations, communications and public relations programs. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in these areas in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors. Most recently she served as director of external relations for the National Equity Fund, a non-profit low-income housing organization and, previously, she served as director of communications for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

"Working with Ukrainian and Roman Catholics to develop religious and educational opportunities is a privilege and a challenge. I am pleased to be part of these efforts," says Ms. Salemi.

As associate director, Mr. Bodnaruk will maintain and develop relations with donors, manage UCEF volunteer programs and oversee Ukrainian language programs. As a Ukrainian-American, Mr. Bodnaruk adds fluency in the Ukrainian language and a knowledge of Ukrainian customs and culture. From 1997 through 1999 he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Dobrotvir, Ukraine, where he specialized in English and business education. There he co-founded a Rotary Club, operated community development projects and created a small business development center.

"I have been blessed to be able to continue my commitment to Ukraine, this time by involving others in assisting Ukraine from the United States," reflected Mr. Bodnaruk.

The Catholic Church in Ukraine operated underground from 1946 until the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991, when Ukraine achieved independence. Helping to rebuild this country's religious and educational infrastructures, UCEF was founded in 1997 to teach Americans about the needs of Catholic education in Ukraine. UCEF operates several international programs to: develop Ukrainian Catholic seminarians; educate students in a Catholic school setting; provide cultural exchange opportunities; and develop educational and public awareness resources.

For more information about UCEF, contact Ms. Salemi, executive director, UCEF, 2247 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL, 60622; telephone, (773) 235-8462.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 4, 2000, No. 23, Vol. LXVIII

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