Interview with Sergey Vanenkov, June 15, 2021

Interview Summary

Vanenkov, a director of UNITUS Charity Foundation since 2013, served as a counterpart for 3 Peace Corps Volunteers in Mykolayiv, Ukraine. UNITUS is a non-profit organization specializing in helping ex-convicts, sex-workers, drug addicts, HIV/AIDS patients, and kids living on the street, and in providing needle exchange programs. Clients are diagnosed, treated and supported by a case manager. Additionally, early detection of breast cancer, and treating autistic children are efforts of this agency. It is funded by the federal government as well as by international organizations. Vanenkov attributes the successes of the programs to the fact that people in Mykolayiv trust the staff and their work. In his estimation, an effective counterpart for volunteers entails maximizing the skills and talents of each volunteer; having a role for them to play within the organization; befriending each volunteer; protecting them in the office and at their residence; and, supporting their work. “Open communication,” too, is vital in this relationship, as is allowing volunteers a measure of choice in the work done while in service.

Interview Keyword

UNITUS Counterpart Mykolayiv, Ukraine non-profit organization Trust Maximimizing skills Befriending Open communication

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Interview Usage

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