PRESS PLAY UKRAINE
Inspiring Impactful Change
Music brings us pleasure and releases our sufferring. It can calm us down and pump us up.
It helps us manage pain, sleep better and be more productive.
Alex Doman (Author of "Healing at the Speed of Sound")
OUR STORY
In 2022, Bella Woods & Elyse Demkiw, 2 high school students of Ukrainian
heritage, came together to create Press Play Ukraine.
Elyse attended high school in Ukraine as the war broke out and saw first hand the devastation experienced by
her fellow students. Many of these students were leaving their families to attend school in safe zones. Others stayed
amidst the chaos and uncertainty navigating their new world of insecurity, loss of their homes, economic hardship,
injuries, and death of family and friends. Their new day to day lives were filled with the unrelenting daily stress of war.
For many students, music became an important way to cope with the stress. Music services like Spotify Premium,
allowed the students to create their own playlists, and listen to their music as a way to shut out the world, relieve
stress and provide a much needed diversion to help them endure their new circumstances.
Financial hardship meant that families could no longer pay for services like Spotify Premium. Many students were losing
their personalized music services. Elyse saw first hand that having this service could be a lifeline. Bella began in
depth research into the emotional impact of music in teenagers who experienced trauma. They both agreed they
needed to find a way to help these students keep their music, and Press Play Ukraine was born. Elyse sought out students in
need and created relationships with schools educating them on the Press Play Ukraine initiative. Bella reached out for advice
from experienced charity and business professionals, created a website and began the process of becoming a charitable
organization. Elyse helped with the challenge of working within the infrastructure of a different country drawing on her
personal experience living in Ukraine and knowing the customs, language and culture.
We want to thank you for your support. Every student that we help may seem like a small victory, but we know it will have a
huge impact. Mental health is a struggle for many, but the emotional devastation being experienced by these students is
unimaginable. Music heals and it is our purpose to provide comfort and hope as they hang on for a better tomorrow.
4 UKRAINIAN GIRLS
Elyse is a college student in France.
She is passionate about service and proud of her Ukrainian heritage. Elyse attended high school in Ukraine, speaks the language and loves Ukrainian food! She also loves to travel and learn about new cultures. She is committed to supporting the students of Ukraine.
Elyse Demkiw
Co-Founder
Leah Soroka
Advisor
Leah & Karen went to school in the same farming community in Canada. Leah went on to obtain 3 degrees but never forgot her Ukrainian upbringing. She has dedicated her professional career to supporting the economic development of countries like Ukraine. She has travelled the world and lived in Ukraine. She currently continues her work in Europe.
Bella is a high school senior in Phoenix, Arizona. She is passionate about serving her community especially students her age. She treasures her time with her family in Canada and loves making traditional Ukrainian food with her Baba. "I am very proud of my Ukrainian heritage and these students in Ukraine deserve our support."
Bella Woods
Co-Founder
Karen Woods
Advisor
Karen has a nursing degree and does volunteer patient advocacy work. She is the COO of her husband's architecture firm in Scottdale, Arizona. Growing up she was heavily involved in the Ukrainian community as a member of a Ukrainian dance troop. She and her family enjoy cooking Ukrainian food and carry on many traditions she grew up with. It is a privilege to be involved in this project with my dear friend Leah, and our daughters.
"Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours." -Elton John-