engin-program

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Ever wondered what a pine forest might look like if it danced in watercolor? Or how the Carpathians would shimmer through the eyes of a dreamer?

Join us for a special online event:

Nature in Wavy Lines: The Works of Tanbelia

Tuesday, June 24

1pm ET / 8pm Kyiv

Ukrainian artist Tania Belashchuk (Tanbelia Art) paints ethereal, surreal landscapes inspired by her homeland and world travels. With watercolor and acrylics, she turns nature into waves of color and motion, each brushstroke a story.

In this session, she’ll share:

The personal stories behind her favorite works

Her creative process and inspirations from Ukraine and beyond

How learning English helped her build global connections

This event is free and open to all - art lovers, ENGin volunteers, English learners, or anyone who needs a little beauty in their Tuesday.

Save your spot now & join us for this visual escape!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/mQob57ScSpKDVhe7FMFSCQ

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What do a retired American businessman, a Ukrainian mayor, and a deputy mayor have in common?

Well, thanks to ENGin, quite a lot.

When Jim Storbeck retired after a long career running businesses and navigating local government in the U.S., he thought he was stepping away from civic life. Instead, he found himself right back in the thick of it, this time on Zoom, with two Ukrainians who were just shaping the future of their country.

Oleg is the mayor of Pustomyty, a town in Ukraine’s Lviv region. Anton is a deputy mayor. And there’s a bonus plot twist: Jim’s two students actually know each other. They met at a government conference, clicked instantly, and now occasionally join joint calls with Jim. Next stop? Washington, D.C., where they’ll reunite at a leadership summit.

Jim doesn’t just practice grammar drills. Instead, their sessions kick off with personal updates and cross-continental news, followed by deep dives into topics like EU trade, local governance, and leadership. Sometimes, they even get special guests, like the mayor of Jim’s hometown of Auburn, New York, joining Zoom to share how American municipalities handle real-world issues.

For Oleg, these weekly calls have been a game-changer. “I am no longer nervous when communicating face to face with foreigners and I feel more confident when communicating in English,” he admits. “Jim is now actively helping me prepare for a seven-week English Public Leadership Program training, part of which will be held in the USA.”

But it’s not just about confidence. It’s about civic impact.

With stronger English, Oleg can now advocate for his community on global platforms, build partnerships, and bring real change back home to Pustomyty. The ripple effect of one – it can echo through an entire city.

At ENGin, we believe language is more than communication. It’s connection, collaboration, and civic empowerment. And thanks to volunteers like Jim, we’re not just building English fluency, we’re helping build the future of Ukrainian civil society.

Want to change the world in an hour a week? Join Jim and thousands of others at https://www.enginprogram.org/volunteer

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Our annual campaign, 5 Years of Conversation, has reached 40% of our total goal, with $264,665 raised out of $650,000!

THANK YOU to each and every one of you who has contributed to these results. If you haven't had a chance to contribute yet, I invite you to join me to ensure another year of our one-of-a-kind program!

How can you help?

Organize a fundraiser in your community - whether it's a simple virtual fundraiser on GoFundMe or Facebook or an event such as a fun run, bake sale, or cocktail hour at your home, fundraisers are an amazing way to fuel ENGin's work while spreading the word about the program.

Join ENGin as a monthly member - when you commit to a monthly donation of any size, you are directly building ENGin's financial foundation, offering stability through recurring revenue.

Explore opportunities for corporate funding - If you or a family member works at a larger corporation, they may be able to make a donation to ENGin. It may take a bit of effort, but a couple of conversations and a simple form could lead to thousands of dollars of vital funding for ENGin.

Everything ENGin - from the life-changing conversations, to the technology powering the program, to the resources, events, and support we offer - is a direct result of our community's belief in us. ENGin exists because thousands of people all over the world continue to invest in our work, and we are so grateful to be on this journey with you!

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Want to speak confident, career-ready English that actually works in real life?

Whether you're climbing the career ladder or preparing for your next big move, the ENGinPRO Business Crash Course with Angel is your chance to speak like a pro without the boring stuff.

What’s a crash course?

It’s a short, focused program designed to teach you essential skills quickly and effectively — perfect if you want faster results without committing to a long course!

Start date: June 23, 2025

20 powerful topics

1 focused topic/week (repeated twice to fit your schedule)

Affordable pricing: (from 11$ to 8$ per class)

Real-world skills. Real results.

Choose your level and time:

Intermediate

Mondays at 8 PM or Wednesdays at 9 PM

Master emails, meetings, and everyday business communication.

Upper-Intermediate / Advanced

Mondays at 9 PM or Wednesdays at 8 PM

Lead meetings, pitch ideas, and speak strategy with clarity and confidence.

How to join? Just go to ENGinPRO scheduling platform, register an account (3 min), purchase a package (5 / 10 / 15 classes) to save more and book a class on the preferred day and time. To book the right class, select the Business or Grammar Crash Course in the classes filter in our ENGinPRO calendar.

Remember, you can always book a single class to try it out first!

Check topics:

upper-intermediate / advanced: https://drive.google.com/.../1DCZv5rrx3U4wAVFCjDl.../view...

intermediate: https://drive.google.com/.../1mG0vD3boqTCEPl.../view...

Book classes here:

Got questions? Message us or contact Oleksandra, Program Manager, at o.vasylkivska@enginprogram.org

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ENGin volunteer Alicia Castillo Holley recently invited ENGin’s founder, Katerina Manoff, to explore the powerful journey of building ENGin on her Wealthing podcast.

Katerina shares:

Her ENGin lightbulb moment

Why she doesn't believe in business plans

Balancing listening to others with sticking to your vision

The inevitability of disappointing others

Dreams of reaching a million participants and the legacy she hopes to leave

This conversation is for anyone who believes in the power of people, purpose, and possibility, even in the darkest times.

Tune in here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4n1wLAODk0njVqhHSCZ7kW

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ENGin invites participants to an incredible art event!

Thursday, June 12 at 1pm Eastern Time (United States) / 8pm Kyiv (Ukraine)

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../register/pHxL4HS8RtKT8VliYz2WXQ

Fresh from her latest exhibition in Berlin, Julia Beliaeva will share several pieces from her portfolio of mixed media projects with the ENGin community. This captivating presentation will cover her formal training, evolving style, and growth in the world of modern art. Originally from Haisyn, Vinnytsia region, Julia is known for keenly applying the latest tech (3D printing, scanning, and modeling, and virtual reality) in her work, executing stunning pieces that challenge traditional media forms.

Julia has been with ENGin since late 2024 and will also discuss her progress in mastering English to enhance her professional career.

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We are hiring a Ukrainian Operations Associate at ENGin. This person will be responsible for supporting the team with all aspects of program operations:

Interviewing prospective students and volunteers

Answering customer service emails and messages

Matching accepted students to volunteers

Sending out email reminders to onboarding participants or checkins to current participants

The mix of tasks will change each week based on program needs and team availability (for instance, if an interviewer is out on vacation, you would do more interviews that week; if we receive a large number of emails, you would spend more time answering those). During quieter weeks, you will be keeping an eye on all of these processes and looking for ways to improve them.

This role is going to be a great fit for someone who wants to learn many new and different skills. You should be equally comfortable interacting with people (interviews, trainings) and with highly detailed work with our database (matching, hours certification). It's also important to enjoy thinking critically and creatively to spot problems and think of solutions.

REQUIREMENTS:

High English fluency, C1+

Ukrainian language proficiency - native speaker

Experience in customer support is a big advantage

High energy to speak to new people one on one and in groups (for interviews, trainings, etc)

Eager to be challenged and grow each day

High attention to detail

Age 18+

Commitment of at least 1 year

Workload 40 hours/week

Very flexible (each week is different, and evenings/some weekends are required)

Share our mission

Team player: willing to collaborate with the team closely

WHAT WE OFFER:

Monthly salary - 30 000 UAH

Expected start date - June 2025; paid training required

Official employment

Flexible working hours

Remote work

The opportunity to join a young, energetic team building a one-of-a-kind, world-changing program!

We can provide you with an EcoFlow if needed to ensure access to power and the ability to work consistently

To apply, please fill out an application form: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScv.../viewform...

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We invite you to participate in our first-ever photo contest, open to all ENGin students!

We’re looking for original photos related to your ENGin journey. Whether it’s a selfie with your buddy, a screenshot from your last Zoom session, or a moment from your life that shows how ENGin has impacted you — we want to see the world through your lens.

You do not have to be a professional photographer to enter! Screenshots and phone pictures are welcome. We care about sincerity and creativity, not pixels.

Theme? ENGin through your eyes.

One photo, a whole series — totally up to you. We’re looking for creativity, authenticity, and ENGin spirit. Just make sure it’s your original work and doesn’t involve any AI-generated unicorns or stock photo models.

Submissions open: June 5 – July 5

How to enter:

Upload your masterpiece(s) to Google Drive

Make sure we have access

Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/9dJMwVfRMzgFnAq58

Prizes:

1st place – 4000 UAH

2nd place – 2000 UAH

3rd place – 1000 UAH

Audience Choice – 1000 UAH (*you will help pick the Audience Choice winner from our top 10 finalists on our social media and in the newsletter.)

By entering the contest, you:

Grant ENGin permission to use your photo(s) in promotional materials, social media, and future campaigns.

Confirm that the photo(s) are your own work and don’t violate anyone else’s copyright or privacy.

We’ll feature the winners on our social media, in our newsletter, and personally email every participant because you're all amazing and deserve a thank-you note.

So go on — capture the ENGin spirit. The stage is yours.

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We started thinking - ENGin has an incredible global community of students and volunteers. So why not create a space where everyone could come together, not just during meetings, but every day? And we came up with the idea of creating Hubs.

Launched just two weeks ago, our hubs have brought together over 900 students and volunteers to ask questions, share events, exchange resources and find like-minded people from all over the world.

So, what can you do in a hub?

Organise a Zoom meeting and invite others to join.

Ask for professional advice.

Recommend an interesting video, article or opportunity.

Find your dream team right for your podcast, blog, or project.

Invite other ENGin participants to meet in your city for speaking, book, or movie clubs.

Anything that might be interesting or useful to the ENGin community — big or small. Just share, suggest, and make it yours.

This is your space to connect, contribute, and co-create with the ENGin community. We’re just getting started - and we’d love for you to be part of it

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When Daniel Golmohammadi signed up for ENGin as a high school freshman, he didn’t realize he was stepping into something much bigger than a weekly Zoom call.

At the time, he just remembered what it felt like to be on the other side.

The kid sitting silently in the back of the classroom.

The one who knew the answer, but kept his hand down.

The “immigrant kid” who felt invisible, out of place, and unsure of his voice in a sea of native English speakers.

But Daniel had someone powerful – his dad.

A history fan who had once been denied the chance to study in Iran because of his faith, Daniel’s father would sit beside him on their Persian carpet, flipping through a battered vocabulary book, night after night. “He didn’t just teach me English,” Daniel says. “He gave me the confidence to learn.”

Years later, that same feeling came rushing back before his first ENGin lesson. Would he be awkward? Would he know what to say? Would the student like him?

Then the screen lit up — and suddenly it wasn’t tutoring. It was storytelling. It was laughter. It was connection. From those first conversations, Daniel watched his student’s English grow. “It was like watching someone find his voice,” he says. “Just like I once did.” And any time he felt unsure, the ENGin team was always there. “It felt like family.”

That experience led Daniel to a realization: he loved teaching.

More than that — he loved helping people feel seen, heard, and capable.

So, he built something of his own. It’s called STEM for Society — a student-led initiative that brings hands-on science and engineering lessons to underserved youth. Think: building robots, coding games, constructing actual bridges with popsicle sticks and grit. So far, they’ve reached 200+ students.

One of them was Charlie. Charlie showed up convinced he wasn’t “smart enough” for STEM. Daniel made it a point to sit next to him, ask about his day, and celebrate even the smallest wins. Week by week, something changed. By the end of the program, Charlie wasn’t just participating — he was helping others. “Charlie reminded me of my first ENGin student,” Daniel says. “Quiet at first, unsure — but ultimately empowered.”

Daniel’s dream now?

To bring STEM for Society into more schools across Boston. To partner with local officials. To change how we think about access, education, and who gets to belong in the room.

“ENGin helped me uncover my purpose. And I hope that in everything I do — whether through STEM for Society or in future initiatives — I can continue to pass on the spark my father lit in me,” Daniel says.

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(In English below)

А ви знали, що травень — це всесвітній місяць обізнаності про ментальне здоров'я? У ці нелегкі часи для українців як ніколи важливо дбати не лише про фізичний стан, а й приділяти таку ж увагу своєму психологічному здоров’ю. Тож з цього місяця UA Mental Help разом з ENGin запускаємо серію дописів, які допоможуть вам більше дізнатися про цю тему та водночас прокачати свою англійську.

Сьогодні підготували для вас терміни, які звучать звідусіль — у TikTok, подкастах, сторіс, тощо. Але яке ж значення мають усі ці слова? Гортайте карусель, щоб розібратися в усій цій популярній термінології.

Також трішки про нас:

UA Mental Help — благодійний фонд, який дбає про ментальне здоровʼя кожного українця, роблячи психологічну допомогу доступною. Долучайтесь, щоб отримати можливість піклуватися про ментальне здоров’я разом з фахівцями справи, або ж якщо ви хочете допомогти іншим.

ENGin — це неприбуткова організація, яка об'єднує англомовних волонтерів та вмотивованих українців для розмовної практики онлайн та культурного обміну. Програма дає змогу українцям розвинути вільну розмовну англійську та спілкуватися зі світовою спільнотою. Приєднуйтесь до ENGin як студент/ка або волонтер/ка вже сьогодні та поділіться цією можливістю з друзями!

Did you know that May is World Mental Health Awareness Month? In these difficult times, it is more important than ever for Ukrainians to take care not only of their physical well-being, but also to pay equal attention to their psychological health. So, starting this month, UA Mental Health and ENGin are launching a series of posts that will help you learn more about this topic.

Today we have prepared for you terms that are heard everywhere - in TikTok, podcasts, stories, etc. But what do all these words mean? Scroll through the carousel to understand all this popular terminology.

Also, a little bit about us:

UA Mental Health is a charitable foundation that cares about the mental health of every Ukrainian by making psychological help accessible. Join us to get your chance to take care of your mental health together with professionals, or if you want to help others.

ENGin is a nonprofit organization connecting English-speaking volunteers with motivated Ukrainians for online speaking practice and cultural exchange. By fostering fluent, conversational English, program empowers Ukrainians to connect with the global community. Join ENGin as a student or volunteer today, and share this opportunity with friends!

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Ukraine’s music isn’t just catchy — it’s historic. These instruments have echoed through mountain valleys, accompanied Cossack heroes, and made wedding guests dance for centuries. Let’s explore by scrolling through the pictures!

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Calling the ENGin volunteer community: We need your support finding volunteers for Ukrainians on our waitlist!

Did you know that this year alone, ENGin has already matched over 1700 new Ukrainian learners to volunteers around the world? Despite this, we currently have ~150 adult learners waiting for their match. We'd be so grateful for your help ensuring that every student who comes to ENGin can be matched to a wonderful volunteer. Here's what you can do:

Have an extra hour/week to spare? Take on a new student! You can request a student in your profile at app.enginprogram.org or email us your request at info@enginprogram.org

Share our post (especially on Instagram or LinkedIn!)

Share your volunteer story in a post of your own! Make sure to include the link where new volunteers can sign up: www.enginprogram.org/volunteer

Ask within your networks how you can share ENGin in a local newsletter, listserv, or community group. We've got flyers, images, and text at www.enginprogram.org/share

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🎓 When Ukrainian English teacher Taisa joined the ENGin for Educators program, she brought more than her 48 years of teaching experience — she brought remarkable resilience and unwavering dedication. Taya teaches at Lysychansk Lyceum №8, a school from the now-occupied city of Lysychansk in eastern Ukraine. 😔

💔 Since the occupation, her students have been displaced — scattered across Ukraine and abroad. The war has taken a visible toll on their emotional well-being. Many face anxiety, stress, and sadness, struggling to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and disrupted routines.

🇺🇦 Yet, one powerful truth remains: these students refuse to give up their connection to home. Despite the distance and trauma, they remain deeply committed to their school. Most continue their education at Lysychansk Lyceum, studying online even from foreign countries. While they engage in clubs and competitions in the places they now live, they have little interest in attending local schools. Their hearts — and their studies — stay with the school and teachers they’ve known and trusted all their lives.

👩‍💻 Through ENGin for Educators, Taisa was matched with Ellen, a retired philosophy professor from Florida, who had been searching for a meaningful way to personally support Ukraine. What followed has been nothing short of extraordinary.

🌟 Not only has Ellen supported Taisa’s professional development and confidence in English, but she also joined Taisa’s online English classes. There they engaged in conversation regarding the USA, covering geography, politics, education, and culture. Taisa’s students — aged around 16 — were captivated.

💬 “At first, they were reluctant to speak and a bit hesitant,” Taisa said. “But as the lesson progressed, they seemed to forget about the language barrier. They were engaged, curious, and excited. Many told me it was one of the most memorable lessons they’ve ever had.”

🌠 For Ellen, the experience has also been just as life-changing:

💬 “I believe that I now have a better understanding of Ukraine and the bravery of

Ukrainians, as well as their determination to contribute to the strength of their country. This is a perspective I could never get from the news even books about Ukraine: it’s the real conversations with both educators and students that I am learning from. I’m also happy to support my two educators, Alla and Taisa, in their teaching.

Overall, I can say that this program turned out to be extremely satisfying and fun; my educators needed a bit of moral support and I’m so glad to be there for them. It’s a very meaningful way to help Ukraine, but it has really helped me, too, getting to know them and the students I’ve met.

This act of volunteering enriches all of our lives, so I hope more American educators and professors will join in! I highly recommend the program and love the people I’ve met.”

💙💛 This is the power of ENGin4EDU — proving that even small connections can create a huge impact.

🫶 A heartfelt thank you to Nova Ukraine for making this powerful work possible through your generous support.

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🤩 On May 10th, ENGin had the incredible opportunity to attend Career Day 2025, organized by the Kyiv School of Economics in partnership with Ukraine Global Scholars and supported by the President of Ukraine's Foundation.

💪🎓 We were proud to present ENGin’s mission and work — connecting Ukrainian youth with English-speaking volunteers for language practice and intercultural exchange — and to meet so many driven, passionate students. It was inspiring to see familiar faces: current participants, program alumni, and even a few who came up to us just to say thank you. Hearing their stories, their progress, and their heartfelt testimonials reminded us why we do what we do. 💙💛

🌟 We're excited about the new connections we made, and who knows, maybe some future ENGin volunteers or ambassadors are among them! 😍

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Перегляньте українську версію нижче ⬇️

🤩 We’re excited to announce the official launch of ENGinPRO — a brand-new initiative from ENGin! 🎉

🗓️ ENGinPRO offers flexible group English lessons led by experienced ESL tutors. Designed specifically for Ukrainian learners, the program delivers structured, targeted language practice — one of the most requested features from our students.

🧩 With our unique mix-and-match model, learners can focus on the skills they need most, choosing which lessons to join, which tutors to learn from, and which topics to explore — all without committing to a full course. Lessons can be freely combined and tailored to fit each learner’s goals and schedule.

💻 A simple paid subscription gives students full control over their learning journey — allowing them to study what they want, when they want, and at their own pace.

💪 Most importantly, ENGinPRO supports ENGin’s core mission, with all proceeds going directly toward sustaining our main program for Ukrainians. 💙💛

😊 We’re incredibly proud and excited to make this happen — thank you for your support, and we warmly welcome you to be part of it. Classes are already available for booking 🎓

Tap the link to learn more: https://www.enginprogram.org/enginpro

_______________________________________

🤩 Ми раді оголосити про офіційний запуск ENGinPRO — нової ініціативи від ENGin! 🎉

🗓️ ENGinPRO пропонує гнучкий формат групових занять з англійської мови, які проводять досвідчені викладачі-носії мови. Програма створена спеціально для українців і відповідає одному з найпоширеніших запитів наших студентів — більше структурованої мовної практики з фокусом на конкретні навички.

🧩 Унікальна модель-конструктор дозволяє учасникам самостійно обирати, які заняття відвідувати, з ким з викладачів займатися та на яких темах зосередитися — без потреби проходити повні курси. Усі уроки можна вільно комбінувати, адаптуючи навчання під власні цілі та графік.

💻 Завдяки простій системі платної підписки кожен студент отримує повний контроль над своїм навчальним процесом — обирає зручний час, бажані теми й навички, які хоче покращити.

💪 Найголовніше — ENGinPRO підтримує основну місію ENGin, а всі доходи від проєкту спрямовуються безпосередньо на діяльність нашої основної програми. 💙💛

😊 Ми надзвичайно пишаємося і раді, що цей проєкт став реальністю. Дякуємо за вашу підтримку і щиро запрошуємо долучатися! Заняття вже доступні для бронювання 🎓

Дізнайтеся більше за посиланням: https://uk.enginprogram.org/enginpro

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📣 Mark your calendars! 🗓️

On May 15 at 1pm ET / 8pm Kyiv, we’re thrilled to welcome Dora Chomiak, CEO of Razom for Ukraine, for a powerful and inspiring conversation with ENGin’s CEO, Katerina Manoff.

💪 Since 2022, Razom for Ukraine has become one of the most impactful organizations supporting Ukraine — from delivering life-saving medical aid to amplifying Ukrainian voices across the globe. But Razom’s roots go deeper, back to the Revolution of Dignity and a group of passionate Ukrainian-Americans who believed in building a better future — together. 🤝

Dora will share her personal journey, Razom’s incredible growth, and what each of us can do to keep Ukraine strong and thriving. 🇺🇦✨

🌟 Let’s come together for a meaningful conversation that’s sure to inform, inspire, and energize.

👉

Register here: