Click the image above to see all the designs in the “I Stand With Ukraine” gallery. To access the gallery directly, go to https://www.dreamingwideawake.org/ukraine.
"There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people." - Howard Zinn
Few things upset me more than abuse of children and animals - both innocent of any wrong doing - and both suffering because of mentally and emotionally ill adults who prioritize money and power over life itself. Hearing that aid to Ukraine (weapons, money, and intelligence information) have been cut off by the current administration and that the Liar in Chief has been parroting Russian propaganda has left me feeling disgusted and ashamed. Ukraine’s fight for democracy has been our own, and the Ukrainians deserve our respect, gratitude, and support.
As many of you know, I’m a passionate advocate for kids. I believe that the future of our species and planet depends on ensuring they grow into kind, caring, competent adults, so the plight of the children of Ukraine has been a huge concern for me since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022. Since then, I’ve been working on several projects designed to support and help the more than 1.9 million Ukrainian children who’ve been displaced by the invasion. These include:
Song Flight: https://www.dreamingwideawake.org/songflight
Songs for Ukraine: https://substack.com/home/post/p-156324765
Featuring live concerts and an album of original songs donated by musicians to help bring Song Flight to classrooms globally:
Creation of the original song, “A World Full of Magic,” which was then translated into Ukrainian. The song was performed and recorded by the “Inspiration Children’s Choir" of Odessa, Ukraine.
Interviewing and writing about those who have chosen to remain and continue to work in Ukraine including:
Tetiana Kopytova: An immensely talented illustrator and animal rescuer. Links to all of Tetiana’s work and her posts about her daily work can be found on her Facebook page. My pieces about her are entitled, “Magic Light,” “Fire in the Sky,” and “May No One Die Today.” Click on each title to be taken to the post.
Yulia Samul: A dance teacher who seeks to empower women through yoga and dance. My piece about her is entitled, “Dancing in Times of War.”
Andrii Malinich: A musician, orchestrator, and member of the group “Songs for Ukraine.” I wrote about two stellar concerts Andrii took part in called, “In the Castle of Monsters.”
The Vet Crew: A husband and wife team of veterinarians who run a hospital, farm, and sanctuary. They are at the front lines of animal rescue daily. It is an honor to support them. They are on almost all social media. Start with Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/vet.crew/
I will leave you with a final thought and song that has been both a comfort and a reminder to me these past few years. It is called Obiymy (Embrace Me). Each time I listen I am recalled to my heart and reminded that my job is not to fix the world but to bear witness to and spread the light in it. If this post or anything in it touches you then I’ve done my job. Beauty, joy, laughter, gratitude, and creativity are contagious. So are smiles, kind words, and a willingness to celebrate and encourage the beauty in others. Thanks for reading along.
Hugs,
Jena
Resources
The ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Ukraine
https://www.ted.com/talks/oleksandra_matviichuk_the_ordinary_people_doing_extraordinary_things_in_ukraine
Copyright 2025 by Jena Ball All Rights Reserved.
Bless your precious heart Jena. Thank you
Thank you, Suzy.