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US-Russia Volunteer Initiative (USRVI)
2006 Participant Biographies
Listed below are the biographies of Russian and American volunteers who participated in USRVI in 2006.
Russian Volunteers
Maria Artyushkina, Pokrovsk
Host Organization: YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Maria Artyushkina is a student of finance and economics at Yakutsk State University. In 2005, she participated in an academic exchange program with Oulu Polytechnic University in Oulu, Finland. In 2004, Maria served as a volunteer for the organizing committee of the Third International Sports Games “Children of Asia” that took place in Yakutsk, Russia. During the event, she worked with other volunteers to prepare the city for this international competition and assisted with outreach efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. During USRVI, she assisted with day-to-day operations of the YMCA, including assisting the fitness floor attendant, serving as membership and marketing staff, and working with the University YMCA.
Ekaterina Arzhanaya, Sergiev Posad
Host Institution: National Student Partnerships, Washington, DC
Ekaterina Arzhanaya is a project coordinator at Together for Peace, an organization that provides assistance to youth with social, mental, and physical disadvantages and to the elderly from a local retirement home. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in journalism at Moscow State University, after gaining experience as a reporter for local newspapers in Sergiev Posad. Ekaterina’s extensive volunteer experience includes providing administrative and organizational help to World4U, leading an international youth exchange project and engaging in a variety of volunteer projects in Germany, France, Estonia, and Lithuania. During USRVI, she was involved in direct client service to poor and at-risk individuals and families and became engaged in the communities served by the national office of National Student Partnerships.
Bayrta Badmagoryaeva, Elista
Host Organization: Bowling Green State University, Office of Campus Involvement, Bowling Green, Ohio
Bayrta Badmagoryaeva is currently a student of foreign languages at Kalmyk State University in the Republic of Kalmykia. As a student, Bayrta has been actively involved in the trade union of students at her university and volunteered as a secretary for the organizing committee of the 2004 Women's World Chess Championship. She has assisted in carrying out the project “Promoting Lesser Used Languages in the North Caucasus,” which sought to assess local attitudes towards Kalmyk language and culture. Within the scope of this project, Bayrta conducted interviews, analyzed the findings, and wrote a report intended to assist Kalmyk authorities in reforming language policy in Kalmykia. During USRVI, she worked with United Way in interacting with service agencies to share resources, volunteers, and ideas. At Bowling Green State University, she had an opportunity to assist students in finding volunteer opportunities that fit their needs.
Elena Chebotareva, St. Petersburg
Host Organization: The Auris Project, Inc., San Antonio, Texas
Elena Chebotareva received a degree in linguistics and international communication from Nevsky Institute of Language and Culture in 2004. The following year she participated in an exchange program with Colorado College in Colorado Springs where she studied Spanish and communications. Elena began volunteering when she was 17, and her volunteer experience includes serving hot meals to the homeless in St. Petersburg, working with disabled children, and providing psychological support for young adults. When she volunteered for the organization “Sun,” she had the opportunity to learn fundraising skills when she organized a summer recreational event for local disabled children. During USRVI, she worked on building the Information Resource Center for the homeless community in San Antonio.
Khava Edieva, Grozny
Host Organization: Special Olympics South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
Khava Edieva received a degree in finance from the Oil Institute in Grozny in 1998. During the past 11 years, she has worked for a number of international organizations, including the Danish Refugee Council, Doctors Without Borders, and the British Broadcasting Company’s representation in Chechnya. She has also worked for the Chechen government representation in Moscow. As a volunteer, Khava has been involved with local orphaned and street children. During USRVI, she assisted the Young Athlete Program by coordinating the program with kindergarten programs at elementary schools, distributing information to teachers, monitoring program progress, and corresponding with local volunteers.
Anzhela Faybushevich, Krasnoyarsk
Host Organization: Prevention First, Chicago, Illinois
Anzhela Faybushevich is a regional coordinator for the Development Society of Novosibirsk, an organization that organizes and sponsors educational and cultural projects, as well as provides humanitarian assistance. In this position, Anzhela manages 11 meeting centers and 90 affiliated groups throughout Eastern Siberia and coordinates their activities, including events aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and volunteer work. Her volunteer work mainly has focused on STD prevention and prevention of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. During USRVI, Anzhela helped facilitate collaboration between higher education and community-based organizations to provide practical professional experiences for youth who are interested in nonprofit management with a focus on prevention, youth, and community development.
Regina Galyautdinova, Naberezhnye Chelny
Host Organization: The Points of Light Foundation, Washington, DC
Regina Galyautdinova is an assistant professor at Kazan State University where she received her PhD in philology in 2004. Majority of her volunteer work has been devoted to the development of volunteerism among youth in her region. She also has been involved in promoting youth and student governance at her university. During USRVI, she engaged in leadership development training for high school youth, provided resources and support for family volunteering, and engaged elementary school aged children in volunteering to benefit other children.
Elena Golovushkina, Ekaterinburg
Host Organization: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan
Elena Golovushkina is a student of foreign languages at Ural State Pedagogical University. While at the university, she has been actively involved in student governance and volunteer work. During her second year, she founded Student Council, a university organization that organizes student educational and cultural activities, and engages students in volunteer work. Elena also headed the university’s English Theatre, which performed plays for university students and local orphanages. Engagement with these student organizations allowed Elena to participate in various events aimed at preventing drug and alcohol addiction among students and providing assistance to local orphans and children with life-threatening illnesses. During USRVI, she gave health presentations to students on cigarette, alcohol and drug abuse, and participated in community service opportunities and cross-cultural awareness activities.
Elena Kuznetsova, St. Petersburg
Host Organization: Goodwill Columbus, Columbus, Ohio
Elena Kuznetsova currently works as a marketing manager for Geo-System Spb Company in St. Petersburg. Her volunteer experience includes being involved in an international travel club, through which she hosts international travelers in St. Petersburg. She also has been involved in assisting people with disabilities and initiating and providing technological assistance for various projects. Elena received a master’s degree in optics from St. Petersburg State University in 2005, and has a strong background in information technology (IT). During USRVI, she helped with fundraising, membership activities, and providing work and retirement opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Alena Makhneva, Shelekhov
Host Organization: Tenderloin Health, San Francisco, California
Alena Makhneva currently works as a consultant and call center operator for the information department of Baikalwestcom Company in Omsk. Previously, Alena was a proof-reader for the publishing house “Academia” and a researcher for the Center on HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention in Omsk. As part of her HIV/AIDS prevention work, Alena has conducted prevention activities among youth, drug users, medical workers, as well as worked on projects to assist People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). As a researcher for the Omsk Center on HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention, she conducted research on sexual behavior among youth in Omsk. During USRVI, she worked on HIV/AIDS prevention and provided assistance to the homeless community in San Francisco.
Elena Matveeva, Yaroslavl
Host Organizations: KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) and WVSA Arts Connection, Bethesda, Maryland and Washington, DC
Elena Matveeva has been teaching English at Yaroslavl State University since 1997. Her volunteer experience has focused on promoting healthy lifestyles, assisting physically and mentally disabled children and adults, and organizing extracurricular activities for a local orphanage. While volunteering for Children and Youth Social Initiatives, she had an opportunity to educate teenagers about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Elena has participated in the Camp Counselors USA program, during which she traveled to the US to work at Camp Cheerful, an Ohio camp for mentally and physically disabled children. During USRVI, she worked with children with disabilities in enhancing their potential through art and physical activity.
Anna Nikolaeva, Cheboksary
Host Organization: New Hope for Kids, Fern Park, Florida
Anna Nikolaeva recently graduated from the Chuvash State Pedagogical University in Cheboksary with a degree in foreign languages. She has been volunteering since 2001, when she became involved with the local Youth Association of Volunteers. Her work with the association included teaching English to local orphans and mentally disabled children. In addition to teaching English, she assisted in organizing events for the children and educating them about healthy lifestyles and self esteem. In 2003, she traveled to Germany to volunteer for the Buddhist center, Bodhicharya, where she assisted with building a temple as well as attended lectures on peace-building, religion, and healthy lifestyles. During USRVI, she assisted in programs for grieving children and children with life-threatening illnesses.
Maria Nikolaeva, Moscow
Host Organization: The Auris Project, Inc., San Antonio, TX
Maria Nikolayeva is a student of foreign languages at Moscow State Linguistic University. She has recently been actively involved with World4U, a volunteer organization devoted to promoting volunteer activities among Russian youth. With this organization, Maria had an opportunity to participate in leadership trainings at an international volunteer camp. Her other volunteer experiences include: participating in activist actions and volunteer camps; organizing activities related to the environment; raising community awareness about vital problems; animal protection; promotion of volunteerism; and organizing a concert for disabled children. During USRVI, Maria worked on building the Information Resource Center for the homeless community in San Antonio.
Tatiana Okoneshnikova, Irkutsk
Host Organization: FIRSTLINK, Columbus, Ohio
Tatiana Okoneshnikova has been a coordinator of orphanage work since 2003 with Gospel and Charity, an organization in Irkutsk. In her spare time, she has led an orphanage ministry from her church. Tatiana has dedicated her professional and volunteer work to working with orphans in her city, whether through providing services to the orphanages or facilitating the adoption of the children by providing interpretation to families. She also has been able to involve her community and friends in assisting these orphanages with time, food, clothing, medicine, and financial contributions, thus raising the level of attention and support the children receive. During USRVI, Tatiana worked with programs such as Youth Volunteer Corps, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and Homeland Security and Disaster Preparedness.
Natia Oniani, Petrozavodsk
Host Organization: National Student Partnerships, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Natia Oniani currently works for the interregional youth public movement Award Association where she is responsible for maintaining international contacts and interpretation. She also is involved with the Republican Youth Center as a teacher, event organizer, and interpreter. Since 2005, Natia has been volunteering for the Center for Development of Youth and Public Initiatives where she attended trainings and gave presentations on the center’s activities. In 2005, she also had an opportunity to travel to the Czech Republic for an international training on volunteer management. During USRVI, Natia was involved in direct client services to poor and at-risk individuals and families, program planning, events and fundraising, as well as became engaged in the communities served by the Pittsburgh office of National Student Partnerships.
Evgenia Pletneva, St. Petersburg
Host Organization: Living Beyond Belief, New York City, New York
Evgenia Pletneva is project manager, trainer, and outreach specialist for the organization A View of the Future based in St. Petersburg. Her volunteer and professional work mainly has focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles, as she has conducted trainings on HIV/AIDS prevention, participated in designing prevention programs and manuals for teenagers, and has taken part in numerous mass actions to promote healthy lifestyles. Evgenia also has authored several educational videos on reproductive health, STDs, and drug abuse. During USRVI, Evgenia worked on HIV/AIDS prevention programs among New York City youth.
Alisa Polygalova, Togliatti
Host Organization: YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Alisa Polygalova is a marketing manager and fitness instructor for Fit Line in Togliatti. She is currently pursuing a degree in marketing from Tatichev Volzhinski University. Alisa has been an active volunteer, seeking opportunities to utilize her fitness training to promote healthy lifestyles to youth. She has been part of the Third Annual Charity Fitness Convention in Togliatti and was involved in planning an event promoting healthy lifestyles organized by Fit Line and a local restaurant. During USRVI, she assisted with day-to-day operations of the YMCA, including assisting the fitness floor attendant, serving as membership and marketing staff, and working with the University YMCA.
Olga Portyannikova, Tula
Host Organization: Best Buddies Florida, Orlando, Florida
Olga Portyannikova is a student of foreign languages at Leo Tolstoy Pedagogical University in Tula. As a student, she has volunteered for a local monastery and an orphanage. She also has worked as a troop leader for The Cape of Good Hope, a camp for disabled children where she led sports and outdoor activities. Olga is passionate about working with disabled children. In the future, she is planning to start her own NGO tailored to these children and their parents, as well as to work towards changing public attitudes towards people with disabilities. During USRVI, she worked on programs assisting youth with mental disabilities.
Natalia Pyantina, Petrozavodsk
Host Organization: The Points of Light Foundation, Washington, DC
Natalia Pyantina is a trainer and the head of the training center Initiative which provides trainings for non-profit organizations in the Republic of Karelia. After receiving degrees in history and English language in 2001 from Petrozavodsk State University, she has been engaged in extensive volunteer work related to developing volunteerism. Natalia participated in and conducted numerous trainings for local nonprofit organizations and youth. She also administered a university exchange program while at Petrozavodsk State University. In 2003, Natalia and a number of other volunteers founded Initiative with the purpose of providing a platform for realizing social and educational projects in the local community. During USRVI, she worked on leadership development for high school youth, provided resources and support for family volunteering, and engaged elementary school aged children in volunteering to benefit other children.
Polina Shabaeva, Ulan-Ude
Host Organization: Tenderloin Health, San Francisco, California
Polina Shabaeva is a public relations manager for the Center for Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases in the Republic of Buryatia where she is responsible for media relations and monitoring publications about HIV/AIDS in the Russian media. After receiving a degree in public relations from East Siberian State University of Technology in 2005, she also worked as a public relations manager for PR Alliance. Polina was able to utilize her communication and public relations skills when she helped organize mass campaigns on preventing HIV/AIDS and reducing social stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). During USRVI, she worked on HIV/AIDS prevention and provided assistance to the homeless community in San Francisco.
Evgenia Skorchenko, Volgodonsk
Host Organization: Prevention First, Chicago, Illinois
Evgenia Skorchenko is an international journalism student at Rostov State University in Rostov-on-Don. Since 2005, she has volunteered as a consultant for the Center for Development of Local Communities and Pomogi Sovetom. Evgenia also has consulted for a local youth telephone hotline on suicide and drug abuse prevention where she provided psychological and emotional support as well as supplied callers with helpful information and resources related to suicide prevention and various addictions. During her undergraduate career, Evgenia worked as a journalist for a number of local newspapers, journals, and a radio station. During USRVI, she helped facilitate collaboration between higher education and community-based organizations to provide practical professional experiences for youth who are interested in nonprofit management leadership with a focus on prevention, youth, and community development.
Natalia Sorokina, Tomsk
Host Organization: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan
Natalia Sorokina currently manages the research branch of the Tomsk Youth Volunteer Initiative Organization. In this position, Natalia is responsible for developing youth and student governance in the Tomsk community. Her previous volunteer work includes organizing activities aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and assisting children with disabilities. While studying foreign languages at Tomsk State University, she was actively involved with the Student Trade Union Organization, a student group engaged in volunteer activities in the community. As part of this group, Natalia initiated and organized an event promoting healthy lifestyles that brought together over 5,000 young people. During USRVI, she gave health presentations to students on cigarette, alcohol and drug abuse, and participated in community service opportunities and cross-cultural awareness activities.
Anastasia Startseva, Omsk
Host Organization: Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC
Anastasia Startseva is a student at Omsk State Pedagogical University. While pursuing a degree in public relations, Anastasia has been involved with the university radio station and has worked for the youth club Gorodok, where she has been planning, organizing, and managing the club’s youth programs. She also has been actively involved in the Russian scout movements, volunteering for the press center of the international scout camp Jamboree and serving as a troop leader for the Omsk Girl Scout Organization. In addition, she has volunteered with the Omsk regional organization Civic Initiatives Support Center, where she wrote press releases, designed volunteer brochures, and conducted research. During USRVI, Anastasia worked with the Young Leaders Program in organizing leadership programming and other youth activities to reach at-risk girls.
Bayarma Tsyrenova, Irkutsk
Host Organization: National Student Partnerships, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Bayarma Tsyrenova is a student at Irkutsk State Linguistic University where she majors in American studies. Her volunteer experience includes working at a local orphanage and a family planning center. During her time with the family planning center, she was engaged in working with children from disadvantaged families, many of whom suffered from mental or behavioral problems. Bayarma had an opportunity to assist in organizing a summer camp for the children. The camp provided the youth with an opportunity to engage in interesting activities and learn important new skills that positively impacted their behavior and well-being. During USRVI, she was involved in direct client services to poor and at-risk individuals and families, program planning, events and fundraising, as well as became engaged in the communities the Pittsburgh office of NSP serves.
Ivan Varentsov, Moscow
Host Organization: Tenderloin Health, San Francisco, California
Ivan Varentsov works at the GTZ/BIZ Educational and Informational Center in Moscow where he coordinates healthy lifestyles projects. After receiving a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Moscow Power Engineering Institute in 2004, Ivan has dedicated his professional and volunteer work to prevention of HIV/AIDS and promotion of healthy lifestyles. He has volunteered as an HIV/AIDS hotline operator, Internet consultant, and HIV/AIDS volunteer trainer for INFO-Plus, has attended a summer volunteering school with Siberian Initiative in Barnaul, and participated in the event Most Pamyati organized by AIDS Infoshare in Moscow. In addition, Ivan has traveled on numerous occasions to conduct volunteer projects in France, Italy, and Portugal. During USRVI, he worked on HIV/AIDS prevention and provided assistance to the homeless community in San Francisco.
Ekaterina Zagorskaya, Biask
Host Organizations: KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) and WVSA Arts Connection, Bethesda, Maryland and Washington, DC
Ekaterina Zagorskaya is a teaching assistant in the Department of Foreign Languages at Shukshin State Pedagogical University in Biyask. In addition to teaching English, Ekaterina has been involved in volunteer work in her city, including fundraising and support for the Biyask Youth Union and city clean-up with the youth organization Walking Together. She also conducted toy and book drives for a local orphanage and has been involved in organizing children’s summer camps with the involvement of American 4-H volunteers. During USRVI, she worked with children with disabilities on enhancing their potential through art and physical activity.
American Volunteers
Susan Armitage, Mountain View, California
Host Organization: Youth Center for Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Prevention, Chapaevsk
Prior to participating in USRVI, Susan Armitage volunteered at the International Rescue Committee in Washington, DC, where she provided translation assistance and social services to members of the local Meskhetian Turk refugee community. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine, she worked on HIV/AIDS prevention projects among students in summer camps and promoted HIV/AIDS awareness and activism. During USRVI, Susan worked on linking volunteers with youth organizations and organizations involved in HIV/AIDS prevention programs.
Martha Beard, Anchorage, Alaska
Host Organization: No to Alcoholism and Drug Use, Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia
Martha Beard recently completed her bachelor’s degree in international relations and Russian from Pomona College in Claremont, California. While in college, she traveled to Russia on numerous occasions for study and research purposes. She has volunteered both in the United States and Mexico at a range of organizations providing assistance such as food distribution to the poor, fundraising, HIV/AIDS awareness education, and outreach to at-risk women and children. As part of her undergraduate degree, Martha traveled to Russia in 2005 and wrote her senior thesis on the state of volunteerism and civil society in Russia. During USRVI, she worked on developing campaigns to help prevent alcohol, drug, and cigarette use and provided teambuilding and leadership trainings to at-risk youth.
Marit Boiler, Berkeley, California
Host Organization: The Kuzbass Union of Youth, Kemerovo
Marit Boiler has a history of helping youth and other vulnerable groups. She has previously volunteered at Stand Up for Kids, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless adolescents and young adults, as well as a number of other organizations providing assistance to children. Prior to participating in USRVI, she was a counselor at Baker Places of San Francisco, California, where she worked directly with individuals with mental health problems recovering from substance abuse. Marit received a bachelor’s degree in social welfare from University of California, Berkeley in 2004. During USRVI, she assisted children with mental disabilities and conducted trainings and seminars for students and schoolchildren on promoting volunteerism.
Lee Eisenberg, Portland, Oregon
Host Organization: Center for Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children, Ekaterinburg
Lee Eisenberg received his bachelor’s degree in foreign languages with a specialization in Russian and German Languages from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. His volunteer experience focused on promoting Russian language and culture, working with children with developmental disabilities, and participating in the eradication of invasive plants in state parks and wilderness areas. In 2005, he traveled on an exchange program to St. Petersburg, Russia. During USRVI, Lee assisted in developing and implementing international sports competition programs for children with disabilities.
Lesley Freeman, San Francisco, California
Host Organization: "Pribaikalski Istok, Irkutsk
Lesley Freeman has been an active volunteer for several years. She began in animal rehabilitation at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in 1996. In college, she was involved with the Outdoor Environmental Club where she led meetings, coordinated events, and recruited new volunteers. More recently, she was a participant in IREX’s US-Russian Young Leadership Fellows for Public Service Program in Russia where she worked on environmental and ecological activities and offered translation and support work for at-risk youth. During USRVI, she assisted with social rehabilitation of mentally disabled people and worked on the development of an international volunteer camp.
Sarah Goodloe, Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Host Organization: Center for Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children, Ekaterinburg
Sarah Goodloe graduated in 2006 from the University of Southern Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in foreign languages and had spent time studying in St. Petersburg in 2004. She has been involved in a variety of volunteer activities including being an English language conversation partner in Russia and Alabama, a co-director of a youth program in Mississippi, and a volunteer during the Hurricane Katrina clean up, also in Mississippi. During USRVI, Sarah worked to develop and implement international sports competition programs for children with disabilities.
Michelle Heisner, Washington, District of Columbia
Host Organization: Karavella, Ekaterinburg
Prior to participating in USRVI, Michelle Heisner was an office manager for a computer software firm in Washington, DC. Previously, she worked with developmentally disabled children and assisted their families with community integration. She also has served as a legislative aide to a member of the Michigan legislature and was an intern at the US Department of State where she liaised with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity, helping to build homes for local families in need. Michelle received two bachelor’s degrees from Michigan State University—one in political theory and constitutional democracy and the other in Russian language and literature. During USRVI, she worked with at-risk children on sports and recreation activities, development of volunteer groups, and web journalism.
Jessica Jacobson, Arlington, Virginia
Host Organization: Federation of Children’s Organizations in Samara Region, Samara
Prior to participating in USRVI, Jessica Jacobson worked at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The majority of her work and volunteer experience revolved around youth and the welfare and health of children. As an undergraduate at Tufts University, she volunteered and worked at Boston Jewish Family and Children’s Services performing research on the the treatment of children with special needs in Ukraine. She also participated in a study abroad program in Russia through the Council on International Educational Exchange. Jessica completed her bachelor’s degrees in child psychology and Russian studies at Tufts University in 2003. During USRVI, she participated in youth development activities through sports and recreation and provided training programs for local NGOs on issues of fundraising and volunteer management.
Andrew Kell, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Host Organization: Club Firn, Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia
Andrew Kell earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2002. He recently completed a tour as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kazakhstan where he taught English in a middle school. During his service, he also worked with local NGOs helping them write grant proposals and build their capacity to improve services to their target communities, primarily children with disabilities. During USRVI, he worked to develop and support volunteer and civic initiatives and participated in outreach activities promoting healthy lifestyles among youth.
Stephanie Koutavas, Westminster, Colorado
Host Organization: Pribaikalski Istok, Irkutsk
Stephanie Koutavas has been an active and engaged volunteer working with and supporting several organizations. She worked as a peer educator at the University of Colorado’s Rape and Gender Education Program where she raised community awareness about domestic violence and promoted drug and alcohol prevention and healthy lifestyle practices. Stephanie also has been involved with the INVST Community Leadership Program that focuses on community development through service learning and leadership theory training. Prior to participating in USRVI, Stephanie volunteers at the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence in Boulder, Colorado. During USRVI, she worked to help mentally disabled people with social rehabilitation and assisted with the development of an international volunteer camp.
Luis Lizarazo, Brick, New Jersey
Host Organization: Karavella, Ekaterinburg
Luis Lizarazo is a recent graduate of Lehigh University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations. During his university career, he spent time studying in Russia and volunteered with the organization, New Civilization, to study the nature of social group interaction among local populations. Luis also has volunteered for a program, which paired college students with mentally handicapped adults. During USRVI, he worked with at-risk children on sports and recreation activities, development of volunteer groups, and web journalism.
Andrea Nelson, Hastings, Minnesota
Host Organization: Organization for Support to the HIV-Infected People "Krylya", Togliatti, Samara Region
Andrea Nelson has focused her volunteer work on working with youth, teaching them the value of education and encouraging middle school students to attend college by pairing them with mentors. She also has participated in Russian cultural clubs, promoting and learning about Russian folk music, film, art, and cooking. She has previously studied in Russia and received her bachelor’s degree in Russian from St. Olaf College in May 2006. During USRVI, she worked with orphans and other at-risk children in teaching them computer skills and actively engaging them in outdoor and recreational activities.
Stephen Nix, Concord, North Carolina
Host Organization: Ulianovsk Russian Union of Youth, Ulianovsk
Stephen Nix began his international work as a volunteer in the Dominican Republic where he helped build a camp for poor and underprivileged children. That experience helped him organize and participate in a homebuilding project in Mexico. These volunteer experiences sparked Stephen’s interest in assisting disadvantaged populations through lifestyle and public health education. During USRVI, he worked to develop volunteerism among youth and participated in community education projects promoting healthy lifestyles.
Aline Prentice, Arlington, Virginia
Host Organization: Laboratory of Active Tourism, Ulan-Ude
Aline Prentice has extensive experience working and volunteering in Russia. She has volunteered with REAP International where she helped foster micro-enterprise and leadership skills for youth. She also collaborates with Club Firn on civil society development, promotion of volunteerism, and engagement in environmental activities. Aline has been successful in securing funding for development projects for local Russian NGOs and assisting them in capacity building, translation services, and public outreach. Aline earned her bachelor’s degree in political and economic philosophy from Cornell University in 1999. During USRVI, she was involved in the development of volunteerism and worked on projects raising environmental awareness.
Jeffrey Reichelderfer, Castro Valley, California
Host Organization: Krylya, Togliatti, Samara Region
During graduate school, Jeffrey Reichelderfer was an active volunteer with an after school program for inner city children. After he completed his MBA at the University of Southern California in 2004, Jeffrey volunteered with the MBA Enterprise Corps and spent a year in Central Asia working with USAID’s Enterprise Development Project to help small- and medium-sized local businesses. He also had the opportunity to become involved in drug abuse and addiction education among young students in California through the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. During USRVI, he worked with orphans and other at-risk children in helping them learn computer skills and scouting, as well as actively engaging them in outdoor and recreational activities.
Imran Saeed, Arlington, Virginia
Host Organization: No to Alcoholism and Drug Use, Ulan-Ude
Imran Saeed came to USRVI with a strong background in volunteering in his local community. He has tutored at a medical center providing individuals with information on public health and assisted with nutrition classes at a local food bank. Most recently, Imran has been tutoring Latin American immigrants in English as a Second Language and helping them to adjust to American life. Imran earned his master’s in public health in 2004 from George Washington University. During USRVI, he worked to develop campaigns to help prevent alcohol, drug, and cigarette use and assisted in providing teambuilding and leadership trainings to at-risk youth.
Brian Seifipour, Boulder, Colorado
Host Organization: Association of Studying Youth, Togliatti, Samara Region
Prior to participating in USRVI, Brian Seifipour was studying Russian language and international affairs at the University of Colorado. He was an active participant in his university’s Persian Student Organization, and has volunteered as a student leader and mentor to young children through local churches. Brian’s international experience includes living in Belarus where he taught English in middle schools and universities, and provided language and methodology training to local teachers. He also has volunteered in Mexico building homes and working with disabled orphans and young adults. During USRVI, he worked with youth on recreational and outdoor activities and provided trainings to university students on the development of volunteerism and student government.
Maria Shoykhet, San Francisco, California
Host Organization: Laboratory of Active Tourism, Ulan-Ude
Maria Shoykhet immigrated to the United States from Russia when she was 11 years old. She attended Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and graduated in 2004 with a degree in fine arts. In 2001, Maria participated in a community development program in El Salvador organized by the American World Jewish Service focusing on economic and agricultural development assistance in rural cities. During USRVI, she was involved in the development of volunteerism and worked on projects raising environmental awareness.
Anna Stewart, Lakewood, Ohio
Host Organization: Club Firn, Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia
Anna Stewart studied Russian and received a bachelor’s degree in history from Lewis and Clark College in 2004. As an undergraduate, she volunteered at Russian Oregon Social Services and served as an in-home counselor to members of the Russian immigrant population in Portland, Oregon. In the future, she is planning to earn an MBA in combination with Russian studies. During USRVI, she worked to develop and support volunteer and civic initiatives and participated in outreach activities promoting healthy lifestyles among youth.
Nicole Terwilliger, New Paltz, New York
Host Organization: Ulianovsk Russian Union of Youth, Ulianovsk
Prior to participating in USRVI, Nicole Terwilliger was a community health educator at Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley, NY. She worked on community based adolescent pregnancy prevention and the prevention of STDs. Nicole’s international experience includes volunteering at an orphanage in Thailand. In South Africa, she distributed food, medicine, and water in rural communities and participated in anthropological studies. Nicole is a graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where she earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology and political science in 2005. During USRVI, she worked to develop volunteerism among youth and participated in community education projects promoting healthy lifestyles.
Evgenia Usmanova, Tarzana, California
Host Organization: Irkutsk Russian Union of Youth, Irkutsk
Evgenia Usmanova’s first experience as a volunteer was in high school with the Red Cross’s Youth in Action group performing community service projects, conducting emergency preparedness trainings, planning events, and conducting outreach. During that time, she also was involved in student government and promoting volunteerism for various school clubs. Evgenia organized canned food drives and toy collections for a children’s shelter in Mexico and founded and edited a student newspaper, recruiting her fellow students to submit articles. During USRVI, she trained university students on student rights and creating student government and organized events and activities for children of local orphanages.
Lindy Vanlandingham, Louisville, Colorado
Host Organization: Youth Center for Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Prevention, Chapaevsk, Samara Region
Lindy Vanlandingham gained international experience studying in Russia while participating in a semester abroad program in 2003. The following year, she interned at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. While performing her duties assisting Americans in Russia to cast absentee ballots in elections and helping plan a World AIDS Day event at the Embassy, Lindy developed a strong interest in civic engagement and public service. While still in school, she enjoyed volunteering as a Russian language tutor. She completed her bachelor’s degree in international affairs and Russian at the University of Colorado in Boulder this May. During USRVI, she was working on linking volunteers with youth organizations and organizations involved in prevention programs.
Paul Virk, Ross, California
Host Organization: Federation of Children’s Organizations, Samara
Paul Virk received his bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from the University of California, Berkeley, in May 2000. Since then, he has been actively pursuing a career in international development. Paul worked on NGO development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uzbekistan and participated in a conflict prevention project designed to develop leadership and infrastructure in Uzbekistan’s multi-ethnic southern frontier. Paul also has worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Romania teaching language and cross-cultural orientation. During USRVI, he participated in youth development activities through sports and recreation and provided training programs for local NGOs on issues of fundraising and volunteer management.
Jennifer Ware, Boonsboro, Maryland
Host Organization: Irkutsk Russian Union of Youth, Irkutsk
Jennifer Ware has been dedicated to community service since high school when she began volunteering with her town’s Head Start program. In 2005, she provided integration assistance to Russian refugees in her community and instructed language courses for them at a local college. For the past few years, she has assisted the Humane Society with volunteering and fundraising efforts and has provided Russian translation services for the Hagerstown Literacy Council. Jennifer is a recent graduate of Russian language and political science from Middlebury College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. During USRVI, she trained university students on student rights and creating student government, and organized events and activities for children of local orphanages.
Sarah Watson, Washington, District of Columbia
Host Organization: The Family of Peace, Ekaterinburg
Sarah Watson served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Moldova focusing on health education and volunteer development. During her service, she developed and organized a proposal that won funding for a series of trainings for the National Peer Education Program of Moldova. In 2006, Sarah volunteered for Peace Corps Encore in Washington, DC, an organization which recruits former Peace Corps Volunteers to serve again overseas on short-term assignments in their fields of expertise. In 2003, Sarah graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. During USRVI, she worked with orphans and women in crisis and doing outreach work with students on promoting healthy lifestyles.
Elliott Wrenn, Richmond, Virginia
Host Organization: The Kuzbass Union of Youth, Kemerovo
Prior to participating in USRVI, Elliott Wrenn volunteered with Refugee and Immigration Services for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond where he assists Russian families as their mentor and English as a Second Language (ESL) tutor. The organization aids refugees and immigrants in central and southern Virginia and encourages them to become self-empowered and self-sufficient. While a student at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Elliott served as an on-air personality at the university’s student-run radio station, bringing issues of local interest and importance to the attention of the listening audience. He has studied in Russia on two occasions, and completed his bachelor’s degree in history in 2005. During USRVI, Elliott assisted children with mental disabilities and participated in trainings and seminars for students and schoolchildren in promoting volunteerism.
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