YouLEAD 2022 Community Reflections: Mentors, Hosts, Translators
It takes a community to make the YouLEAD program a reality. From host families, to event organizers, translators, mentors, and local government leaders, this program would not be possible without the support of our amazing volunteers from across the world.
As we prepare for our 2023 cohort of new YouLEAD students, we wanted to bring you some reflections from those who were involved in the 2022 program.
In this second in a series of reflections, we’ll bring you some of the stories from the people who gave up their time, expertise, and in some cases, their homes, for five weeks last August. In doing so, you can see why they chose to participate in YouLead, and how it has enriched their lives.
Here are their stories - Daniela Puertas (mentor), Iryna Petrus (translator), Grace Verbrugge (mentor), and Craig Larson (host).
Daniela Puertas
YouLEAD 2022 Mentor
Kharkiv, Ukraine
Daniela, tell us a little about yourself and your role in the program.
I was a mentor for the teenagers who participated from Kharkiv. I got involved with the YouLEAD program as a founder of Teens Academy—an online educational program providing career guidance, training, and psychological development for Ukrainian teens.
Seven Teens Academy students were selected to take part in YouLEAD 2022.
Why did you get involved with YouLEAD 2022?
As a mentor for the 2022 YouLEAD program, I found the experience incredibly rewarding.
I got involved with the program due to a deep belief in the power of leadership development and a desire to support young people whose lives have been affected by the cruel war in Ukraine.
Would you do it again?
Absolutely. It is important for me to continue my involvement in the program in the future.
What surprised you most about the participants?
I was struck by their resilience, adaptability, and commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. The program led to the creation of new youth organizations and especially developed the participants' faith in themselves and their abilities.
Their passion and energy were truly inspiring.
Craig Larson
YouLEAD 2022 Host
Minnesota, USA
Craig, what was your role in the program?
I hosted two students, Sofia Aleinikova, Katya Muzyka, and chaperone Natalia Zueva.
What are your lasting memories of the program?
There are so many! Taking a group up to the north shore and camping. Having borscht at the park, and watching Olesia sing.
The farewell party was fun, and the kids put on a great performance!
There are so many memories now that I look back on and smile. Too many!
What were the best bits about hosting a YouLEAD participant?
Being able to introduce new foods to the girls that stayed with me. My family is part Asian so we enjoy a wide range of food.
How did being a host family change you?
You get a glimpse of other cultures. I have traveled around the world but there are many things so greatly different in other societies.
My advice for future host families would be to keep an open mind and enjoy the company.
Any final words or thoughts for the YouLEAD participants now back in Ukraine?
I just hope everyone is safe.
Grace Verbrugge
YouLEAD 2022 Mentor
Minnesota, USA
Grace, what made you want to help in organizing the program?
I went to Ukraine with the YouLEAD program in 2016, and it completely changed my life. I was 16 and at a really dark place in my life. While the program was only 2 weeks back then, it was exactly the change I needed. I met incredible people, did incredible things, and worked on myself. I wanted to continue providing those same opportunities for youth today who, like me, just want to help change the world and find themselves.
Now that I’ve graduated from college, I feel I can finally give back as a mentor.
Will you continue to do this?
For as long as I am able to give my time and energy to this organization, I will continue to do so.
What surprised you the most about the participants?
I think the one thing that surprised me most was how incredibly eloquent the youth participants were, especially when communicating in English. I knew barely any Ukrainian or Russian when I went on the exchange program in 2016!
Everything else about the participant was mostly what I expected, and what I remembered being like when I was 16.
What did you enjoy the most while working with the participants?
I really enjoyed learning more about the participants and their lives, their motivations, what brought them to the program, and what they want to do in the future. I saw a lot of myself in them, even though we come from very different backgrounds. I loved joining them in learning new things and growing together.
Iryna Petrus
YouLEAD 2022 Translator
Minnesota, USA
Iryna, what was your role in the program?
I was a volunteer translator on the program. I helped to understand the teenagers and ensure they were understood. They are all motivated to learn and improve their English!
What made you want to be part of the program?
I was just listening to my heart. I wanted to do something meaningful, good and right!
Will you continue doing this?
Absolutely, I will try my best. I am now a part of the YouLEAD 2023 action planning team.
What surprised you the most about the participants?
Their creativity! This is a new generation with a new lifestyle and different life priorities. I was surprised and impressed by their curiosity and interest in personal and broader youth development.
What did you enjoy the most while working with the participants?
Our in-person interactions. Our activities and time together, sharing our stories… Those were the things I enjoyed most.
"Iryna was a great inspiration to use the practical skills we learned from YouLEAD. Her influence was significant, not only because she was one of the translators, but also because of the many ideas and pieces of advice she has given us.”
- Evelina Yandola, YouLEAD 2022 participant
