A Family Affair: Father and Daughter Work Together in Support of Ukraine

In the face of an international crisis, many of today’s young people may feel as though they cannot make a significant difference. But through her work with Unity for Freedom, Anna Rekeda is proving otherwise.

Founded by her father, Alexander Rekeda, Unity for Freedom is a non-profit that assists in managing resources and aid for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. In the wake of the 2022 invasion and war, many Ukrainians still need critical assistance, and Unity for Freedom is set up to provide long-term aid.

So how, exactly, did a teenager make an impact on the lives of Ukrainians in need? Read on to learn how Anna works alongside her father to provide assistance in this overseas crisis.

The Origins of Unity for Freedom

Mere months after the war in Ukraine started in February 2022, Alexander Rekeda began to search for a more effective way to gather and distribute aid. Though he had been donating to numerous relief agencies, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Together with a group of friends and the help of his daughter Anna Rekeda, Alexander formed the non-profit Unity for Freedom.

At its creation, the goal of Unity for Freedom was to distribute aid more efficiently and cost-effectively than larger organizations. Rekeda found that by pooling resources, utilizing his management skills, and developing on-the-ground connections in Ukraine, his non-profit was able to respond quickly to the crisis.

A Father-Daughter team

Since the beginning, Anna Rekeda has played an important role in Unity for Freedom. She helped her father set up the non-profit in 2022. Now, she continues to raise money for the organization through various fundraisers. Anna also stays involved in Unity for Freedom’s daily operations, which keeps the organization on track toward larger goals.

These feats are even more impressive, considering that Anna is currently a full-time student at Hoboken Public High School, where she is a sophomore. On top of her schoolwork and charity efforts, she is a competitive fencer who competes at national events.

How Unity for Freedom Is Supporting Ukraine Now

As the war in Ukraine has evolved over the past year, Unity for Freedom has adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of the people. From providing necessary items to war-torn cities with damaged supply chains to assisting displaced Ukrainians secure basic shelter, Unity for Freedom strives to provide aid to those who need it most urgently.

The charity is also focused on long-term aid and sets aside funding to eventually assist with rebuilding efforts when the time comes. The organization is also working with local aid-based groups to empower them to make more of a difference in their own regions.

Though the work is complex and shifts by the day, Alexander and Anna prove that providing assistance to Ukraine can be a family affair. Anna’s commitment to the cause showcases how young people across the United States can get involved with charity work and truly make a difference in the lives of those in need.