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We are honoured to invite you and your network to an upcoming Webinar titled “Keeping Freedom Alive – Supporting Ukraine Through Humanitarian Action”, hosted by the Centre for Refugee Studies' Student Caucus and the Centre for Refugee Studies at 91��ɫ, on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, from 11:00 AM–1:30 PM EST.

This event brings together practitioners working directly on the ground in Ukraine, as well as long‑standing humanitarian organizations supporting communities affected by Russia’s full‑scale invasion. We are privileged to be joined by Jon Ricketts, Tara Neitzey (Ukrainian Patriot), Tamara Bolotenko (Help Us Help), and a representative from Protect A Volunteer, each offering unique expertise in humanitarian response, veteran support, community resilience, and frontline volunteer protection.

With this webinar, we aim to explore the realities of humanitarian action in wartime Ukraine, including the challenges of delivering aid to frontline regions, supporting displaced and vulnerable populations, and sustaining volunteer networks under conditions of extreme risk. Together, we will examine how international partnerships, community‑driven initiatives, and innovative approaches continue to keep life‑saving support flowing.

Featured Speakers

Jon Ricketts – Leader in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (11:15–11:45 AM EST)

Jon Ricketts is a distinguished leader in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and international capacity building. A veteran of the United States military with 13 years of service and operational experience across more than 40 countries. He is a strong advocate for low‑cost, scalable technological solutions that address modern battlefield challenges and improve safety in post‑conflict zones.

Jon’s recent work focuses on economic resilience and veteran reintegration, including building cross‑cultural business partnerships to strengthen Ukraine’s economic leverage and supporting service members transitioning into civilian roles.

Tara Neitzey – Ukrainian Patriot (11:45 AM–12:15 PM EST)

Tara Neitzey is an American who has called Kyiv, Ukraine home for over six years — including the morning Russia launched its full‑scale invasion. She works as an Operations Process Analyst, helping international teams build durable systems through strategic planning, process improvement, and AI‑driven automation.

Tara also serves as Treasurer and Board Member of Ukrainian Patriot, volunteering on the ground in Kyiv to support logistics, analysis, and humanitarian coordination. Ukrainian Patriot was founded by Canadian Lana Nicole Niland and is a registered non‑profit in the Ukraine, the United States, and Canada. They provide medical supplies, protective gear, trauma support, and rebuilding assistance to communities across Ukraine, with volunteers in Ukraine, Canada, and the U.S.

Tamara Bolotenko – Help Us Help (12:15–12:45 PM EST)

Tamara Bolotenko has been involved with Help Us Help since 2003, beginning with an eight‑month CIDA internship in Kyiv supporting humanitarian aid delivery, grant writing, and summer camp programming. After completing her Master of Teaching at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, she spent eight years working in teaching and educational leadership roles across the UAE, New Zealand, and Kazakhstan. Tamara now serves as the Vice Principal of Citizenship at TFS – Canada’s International School, where she leads restorative justice initiatives and community‑building programming. She is grateful to live and contribute to communities on the traditional territories of the Wendat, the Anishinabek, the Haudenosaunee, the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, and the Métis Nation.

Help Us Help is a federally registered Canadian charity founded in 1993 that has provided tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian and educational support to vulnerable populations in Ukraine and Canada. Since 2022, the organization has expanded its work to include direct humanitarian aid, psychosocial support, and educational programming for displaced and at‑risk communities.

Protect A Volunteer – Speaker (12:45–1:15 PM EST)

A representative from Protect A Volunteer will discuss their donor‑matching and sponsorship platform supporting military veterans, medics, and humanitarian volunteers working in Ukraine. The initiative connects volunteers directly with sponsors who help cover essential costs such as medical kits, life‑saving gear, flights, and climate‑appropriate clothing, reducing financial barriers so volunteers can remain focused on their mission.

We look forward to learning with you and deepening our understanding of humanitarian action, resilience, and community‑driven support in Ukraine.

This event will take place on Zoom. Please register using the link here and a link will be sent shortly after: 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to kebrija@my.yorku.ca and CC in the email chain yorkcrscaucus@gmail.com and crs@yorku.ca