ABOUT TANYA ZHUK (STEPUP4 FOUNDER)

In late February, while still on medical leave, Tanya was glued to the television watching the horror unfold. She decided to pack some bags, and with generous donations from her family, friends, neighbors and colleagues she rushed to the Polish/Ukrainian border to aid in the refugee crisis. After all, she too was a refugee at one point.
Looking for ways to volunteers presented a challenge for Tanya. It was unclear which nongovernment groups were in Poland. Of those that had an online inquiry form, most didn’t respond, and when one did, she quickly learned that her specific skill were needed more urgently elsewhere. On the ground, she connected with other volunteer groups, more and more opportunities became available. During this process she was surprised that there was no organization, management, information sharing between volunteers and relief groups. In addition, the thriving camp built at the border had no formal structure, registration, or skill sharing between the groups.
Exhausted but inspired, Tanya came back to LA with a game plan…