UCC Welcomes Darla Penner As Program Coordinator

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomes Darla Penner to the position of Program Coordinator based out of its Head Office in Winnipeg.  Darla brings experience in program development, fundraising, along with strong community outreach and administrative capabilities to the UCC team.

Darla possesses all the qualities necessary for successful design and implementation of new projects supporting the vision of the UCC, stated Paul  Grod, UCC National President.   She has tremendous capabilities and energy for new initiatives that will benefit the Ukrainian community in this new era of our development.

Darla has a degree in science from Highline College and worked in the healthcare field for 23 years.  She has travelled extensively to Ukraine over the last 14 years and her language capabilities include English, Ukrainian and French.  Darla has been involved in the Ukrainian community since she moved from Seattle, Washington to Winnipeg, Manitoba 24 years ago.  Her community accomplishments include:

• Serving as President of the Manitoba Parents for Ukrainian Education and the Osvita Foundation, providing leadership and direction for both organizations. 
• Co-organization of Project Zir bringing doctors from Canada and the US to provide vision care in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. 
• Founding of not-for-profit organization called Ukrainian Adoption Services Inc. where she served as the Executive Director for the past five years.  Darla is proud that over 30 children from Ukraine now call Canada home. 
• Creation of a new registered charity, Harvesting Hope Program, which provides humanitarian aid to orphanages in Ukraine.
• Involvement with UCC Manitoba Provincial Council over the past 10 years and currently serves on its Immigration Committee.

Darla has two sons, Andriy and Darko who both attended the English Ukrainian Bilingual Program in Winnipeg.  Andriy is a student at the University of Manitoba and Darko, is currently attending high school.

Among her other accomplishments, Darla has written a book detailing the emigration of her sons’ Baba from Ukraine to Canada.