Voices for Ukraine: Symposium & Concert

Friday, September 18, 2026 | 4:00–8:30 PM EST

First Church of Cambridge | Cambridge, Massachusetts

One evening. Three movements. Where human rights, health, scholarship, and culture meet in support of Ukraine.

Dear Distinguished Friends, Colleagues, and Supporters,

Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, First Aid of the Soul has worked alongside healthcare professionals, educators, artists, universities, and humanitarian organizations to strengthen trauma-informed mental health and psychosocial support across the country.

Through an interdisciplinary network of Ukrainian partners and internationally recognized experts, our programs have reached more than 25,000 individuals in over 50 cities across Ukraine, bringing together evidence-based mental health practices with creative approaches rooted in the arts, culture, education, and community resilience.

This work has shown us that recovery is about far more than responding to trauma. It also requires preserving culture, strengthening communities, fostering dialogue, and creating spaces where healing, leadership, and human connection can flourish.

It is in this spirit that we invite you to Voices for Ukraine: Symposium & Concert—a special evening convening internationally recognized leaders in human rights, global affairs, academia, mental health, humanitarian response, and the arts, alongside musicians and storytellers whose work carries Ukraine's voice into the world.

The evening will also mark the public launch of First Aid of the Soul's Arts & Health Initiative in Ukraine, expanding our work at the intersection of mental health, the arts, and community wellbeing through partnerships with universities, healthcare institutions, and cultural organizations across the country.

All proceeds from Voices for Ukraine support this initiative through First Aid of the Soul.

Featured Keynote Speakers

Oleksandra Matviichuk

Human Rights Lawyer | Head of the Center for Civil Liberties | 2022 Nobel Peace Prize

One of Ukraine's leading advocates for human rights, justice, and accountability. Matviichuk leads the Center for Civil Liberties, the Ukrainian human rights organization awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.

Ambassador Samantha Power

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations & USAID Administrator | Harvard University

Former Administrator of USAID and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Ambassador Power is currently a professor at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Law School and a leading international voice on human rights, democracy, humanitarian action, and Ukraine.

Professor Serhii Plokhii

Internationally Recognized Historian of Ukraine | Harvard University

One of the world's foremost scholars of Ukrainian history and Eastern Europe, Professor Plokhii's scholarship has helped audiences around the world better understand Ukraine's history, identity, and place in the world.

The Evening

4:00–5:30 PM | Symposium

A keynote conversation on democracy, human dignity, cultural resilience, and Ukraine's future—with voices from across human rights, health, and culture.

Featured Keynotes

• Oleksandra Matviichuk | Human rights lawyer | 2022 Nobel Peace Prize

• Professor Serhii Plokhii | Historian of Ukraine | Harvard University

• Ambassador Samantha Power | Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations & USAID Administrator | Harvard University
  

Joined by Voices from Human Rights, Health & Culture

• Nathalie Timtchenko | Founder & Executive Director, First Aid of the Soul

• Dr. Susan Farbstein | International Human Rights Clinic, Harvard Law School

• Dr. Joe Bonvie | Home Base | Veteran & Family Mental Health

• Kseniia Marchenko | Award-Winning Ukrainian Filmmaker & Producer

• Carl Sheline | Mayor of Lewiston, Maine

Moderated by Dr. Anastasiya Donets, Human Rights Lawyer | Team Lead Ukraine with IPHR

Additional special speakers to be announced.

5:30–6:45 PM | Reception & Silent Art Auction

Continue the conversation over light refreshments from local vendors and drinks by DRAY, included with your ticket, while exploring a silent auction of works generously donated by Ukrainian artists.

The reception will also feature live music from Ukrainian bandurist Taisa Kulyk, alongside additional special guests and performers.

This is also an opportunity to connect with members of the Ukrainian-American, academic, humanitarian, healthcare, philanthropic, cultural, and business communities gathered for the evening.

7:00–8:30 PM | Concert

The evening culminates in a curated program of Ukrainian and local musicians—world-class, internationally recognized, and extending far beyond the familiar repertoire—woven together with storytelling from Ukraine.

Featuring

Vadim Neselovskyi | Ukrainian Pianist & Composer | Professor, Berklee College of Music

Alexander Vavilov | Ukrainian Violist & Arts Advocate

Olga Lisovska | Ukrainian Soprano & Arts Producer | Accompanied by Solon Gordon

Taisa Kulyk | Ukrainian Banduristka & Vocalist

Nathalie Timtchenko | Professional vocalist, keys, & clinician

Mitchell Kossak, Greta Bro, & Nick Suchecki | Jazz performers & Clinicians

Additional musicians and special guests to be announced. *Special thank you for photography by Riley Harty & videography by Ben Zackin

Join Us

Reserve Your Place

Student / Veteran — $30

General Admission — $60 Harvard ID — Free Admission

Your ticket includes the full evening: Symposium, Reception & Silent Art Auction, and Concert.

Reserve Your Tickets

Interested in Partnering With Us?

Partnership, sponsorship, and ticket-gifting opportunities are available at a range of levels, each supporting First Aid of the Soul's work in Ukraine. For sponsorship inquiries or to gift tickets, please contact info@firstaidofthesoul.org MEDIA/PRESS

Please RSVP if you would like to attend or request any pre-interviews with our speakers! For inquiries and rsvp please contact info@firstaidofthesoul.org

Unable to Attend?

You can still stand with Ukraine by supporting First Aid of the Soul's work:

Support Our Work in Ukraine

Please feel free to share this event within your networks.

With gratitude,

First Aid of the Soul Board of Directors

With Thanks to Our Sponsors

UA Chronicles • DRAY • International Partnership for Human Rights • Phillip & Vivien Speiser • Eric & Hillary Rubesin • Steve Barrett • Lisa Wong • Ben Zackin • David & Virginia Anderson • Project Kesher • Rokada • Ukrainian American Educational Center of Boston Inc. • Marlene Kenney • Natasha Rogoff • Deer Mountain Productions • Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation • Razom •

With Thanks to Our Partners

American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine • Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute • New Lines Institute • MIT Center for International Studies, MIT-Ukraine • Ukrainian Cultural Center of New England • Ukrainian Cultural Initiative • Cultural Forces of Ukraine •

Additional sponsors and partners to be announced.

First Aid of the Soul is part of the Harvard Innovation Labs community through Harvard Business School and a recipient of the 2025 Social Impact Fellowship Fund.