Today we’d like to introduce you to Yaryna Levytska.
Hi Yaryna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in a small town in Lviv region in western Ukraine. From a young age, I was involved in music, dance, and theater. I was always the person who wanted to help, organize something, and I always loved bringing people together. I never imagined that one day this passion would become such an important part of my life. Later, I earned degrees in political science and international economics, built my career, and became a mother. Before the war, I had a normal life. I worked, raised my daughter, spent time with family and friends, and dreamed about her future.
Like millions of Ukrainians, my life changed completely when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. My daughter and I left Kyiv and came to the United States, while many of my family members and friends remained in Ukraine. My brother joined the military on the first day of the full-scale invasion. Watching what was happening to my country made me realize that I could not stay on the sidelines. During that difficult time, I also discovered something important: even one person can make a difference.
I started volunteering, helping Ukrainian families, soldiers and veterans, organizing community events, collecting humanitarian aid, and telling people about Ukraine. At first, I was simply doing what I felt was right. What started as helping however I could soon grew into something bigger. I began organizing cultural events, humanitarian projects, and fundraising efforts to support Ukraine, wounded soldiers, children, and families affected by the war. I also wanted to share the beauty of Ukrainian culture with the American community and help people better understand Ukraine and its people.
I wasn’t thinking about creating an organization or becoming a nonprofit president. I just simply wanted to help. Little by little, one step led to another, more people joined me and today I feel grateful for the opportunity to serve both the Ukrainian community and the broader Central Florida community. What began as a few small efforts grew into larger projects, events, and partnerships.
That journey led me to create Ukrainian Spirit by Yaryna Levytska, a nonprofit charity organization dedicated to preserving Ukrainian culture, supporting humanitarian initiatives, Ukrainian veterans and building connections between communities.
Today, as Founder and President, I have the privilege of working with incredible volunteers, community leaders, veterans, churches, schools, artists, and organizations. Together through our work, we organize cultural events, educational programs, charity projects, fundraising initiatives, and humanitarian projects. We support wounded soldiers, veterans, children, families affected by war, and people who need hope and encouragement.
One of the things I am most proud of is helping people see Ukraine not only through the tragedy of war but also through its culture, traditions, music, art, and resilient spirit. Through our events, we create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to learn from one another and build meaningful connections.
At the same time, behind every event and every project, I am simply a mom. My daughter is my greatest inspiration. She has been beside me throughout this journey, and she reminds me every day why this work matters. I want her to grow up knowing that kindness matters, that helping others matters, and that even in difficult times we can choose compassion and action.
Another important part of my journey is my regular trips back to Ukraine. Every few months, I travel to eastern Ukraine to visit military units, veterans. These trips are often difficult and emotional, but they keep me connected to the people we serve and remind me why this work matters.
I have traveled thousands of kilometers across frontline regions, delivering humanitarian aid, medical supplies, equipment, and support. During these missions, I meet soldiers, wounded veterans, chaplains, volunteers, children, and families whose lives have been changed by the war. Every trip leaves a lasting impact on my heart and strengthens my commitment to continue helping in any way I can.
Looking back, I never planned this path. I never planned to become a nonprofit founder or community leader. Life simply placed me in a position where I saw a need, and I could not ignore it. Every project, every event, every person we help reminds me why I started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Like many Ukrainians, my life changed completely when the full-scale war began. I left my home with my daughter and started over in a new country while worrying every day about my family and friends who remained in Ukraine. My brother joined the military on the first day of the invasion, and many people close to me have been affected by the war.
When I started volunteering, I had no experience running a nonprofit organization. I had to learn everything from the beginning while raising my daughter, working, building a new life, and supporting Ukraine from thousands of miles away. There were many challenges, moments of exhaustion, and times when I questioned whether I could keep going.
Another challenge has been criticism and misinformation. Sometimes criticism comes from people who do not fully understand the work being done or the realities of supporting Ukraine from abroad. I have also faced attacks from pro-Russian supporters and online bots who try to spread false information, discredit our efforts, or discourage people from helping. That can be difficult, but it has never stopped me from continuing my work.
Every time I see the impact of what we do—helping soldiers, supporting families, preserving Ukrainian culture, or bringing communities together—I am reminded why this work matters. The road has not been easy, but it has taught me that even one person can make a difference when they choose to act and refuse to give up.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the Founder and President of Ukrainian Spirit by Yaryna Levytska, a nonprofit charity organization based in Central Florida.
Our mission is to support Ukraine, help people affected by the war, and share Ukrainian culture with the broader community. We believe that helping people and building understanding go hand in hand.
One of the projects I am most proud of helped make history for Team Ukraine at the Invictus Games. Our organization raised funds to purchase adaptive rugby wheelchairs for Ukrainian veterans. Because of this project, Team Ukraine was able to compete in wheelchair rugby for the first time in the history of the Invictus Games in Canada in 2025. Today, these wheelchairs continue to help veterans in Ukraine through sports and rehabilitation and are used in national and international games.
We are also currently raising funds for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for a medical evacuation unit of the 53rd Brigade. These vehicles help medics reach wounded soldiers and civilians in difficult areas and save lives.
At the same time, we organize cultural and educational events that help people learn more about Ukraine. We host concerts, exhibitions, community celebrations, memorial events, and cultural programs. We proudly represent Ukraine at multicultural festivals and community events throughout USA. These events allow us to share Ukrainian traditions, music, art, and history while building friendships with people from many different cultures.
What makes our organization special is that we combine humanitarian work with cultural outreach. We not only provide support to people in need, but also help others better understand Ukraine and its people.
What I am most proud of is the community we have built. Every project, event, and initiative is made possible by people who care and want to help.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe the most important quality behind my success is perseverance.
As a Ukrainian, I have learned that even when life becomes very difficult, you keep moving forward. The war changed my life completely. Like many Ukrainians, I lost the feeling of a normal life, left my home, and worried every day about my family, friends, and country. But I also learned that giving up is not an option.
I care deeply about people, and that gives me the strength to continue. When I see a wounded veteran, a family that needs help, or a child who has been affected by the war, I cannot simply look away. I always ask myself, “What can I do to help?”
I am not the smartest person in the room, and I do not have all the answers. But I work hard, I keep learning, and I do not stop when things become difficult. I believe that if you lead with your heart, stay true to your values, and keep going even when the road is hard, you can accomplish more than you ever imagined.
Most of all, I believe in people. Everything I have been able to do has happened because incredible people joined me along the way. Success is never just about one person. It is about caring, trusting each other, and working together for something bigger than ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ukrsyl.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levytskayaryna?utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BJp1NV9VX/?mibextid=wwXIfr
