MARCH 2 • 2023 | 29

have come across,
” she added.
Sorrell explained that the new 
initiative came about after dis-
abled adults who are attendees 
of a different, non-vocational 
program run by Gesher, were 
given the opportunity to join 
a CCS fashion design class in 
2022. 
“Our Skill Building Program 
participants saw how much this 
group enjoyed their experience 
and really wanted a similar 
opportunity to explore jobs 
beyond more traditional jobs 
like Meals on Wheels and jani-
torial work,
” she said. “We want-
ed to honor that request, which 
we are now doing with some 
of the best art professionals in 
Michigan.
” 
The current format for the 
CCS program is that the first 
half of the day is spent with 
teachers and senior CCS stu-
dents from various disciplines, 
where individuals get an under-
standing of what the art form 
involves and work on a related 
project. Types of art being show-
cased include fine arts, indus-
trial design, interior design, 

graphic design, entertainment 
arts and video game design. In 
the afternoons, participants are 
enrolled in a photojournalism 
class, where they learn presenta-
tion and other skills by display-
ing photographic images they 
have taken that morning. 
The CCS program started in 
mid-January and runs through 
March. Twelve participants are 
now enrolled who come from 
the Skill Building Program, 
which has centers in Detroit and 
Southfield. A similar number of 
participants are taking part in 
the DSO program.
Craig Nowak, program direc-
tor of Creative Expressions, a 
multidisciplinary arts program 
at Gesher Human Services, said 
that working in the arts had 
many benefits. “Participants 
are developing better hand and 
other motor skills, learning to 
express their ideas in a variety 
of ways and expanding their 
team-building skills,
” he said. 
“Most of all, they are having a 
chance to learn about all the dif-
ferent art and music professions 
that are possible.
” 

Art program 
participants at 
CCS.

Participants take images of paint-
ings at CCS for use in their photo-
journalism class.

‘Free Ukraine’ 
Campaign Joins 
SHARE Ukraine 
Campaign Effort
T

wo Michigan nonprof-
its aimed to raise funds 
and awareness in sup-
port of the Ukrainian people 
in their fight for survival and 
sovereignty have united. 
 Retired Maj. Gen. Gregory 
Vadnais heads the “Free 
Ukraine” campaign. He joined 
Detroit’s SHARE Ukraine cam-
paign headed by Detroiter Sam 
Rozenberg, who co-founded 
SHARE Detroit, a nonprofit 
platform for over 300 charities 
serving Detroit communities. 
 With the Russian invasion 
entering the one-year mark, 
Rozenberg and Vadnais hope 
the joint effort will reignite 
fundraising and public support 
for Ukrainians.
Born in Ukraine, Rozenberg 
moved to Michigan when he 
was 13 years old. He is part of 
Detroit’s Ukrainian and Jewish 
communities. Rozenberg 
served in the Michigan Army 
National Guard, retired, 
worked in the IT industry, and 
today works as a fractional 
CIO. 
He volunteered his time 
and resources to launch and 
now manage SHARE Detroit 
and, recently, SHARE Ukraine, 
which hosts fundraising 
opportunities with direct 
cooperation with the Ukrainian 
American Crisis Response 
Committee of Michigan, where 
he is a board member.
After Russia invaded 
Ukraine in February 2022, 
Vadnais partnered with the 
Oxford Foundation, based 
in East Lansing, to launch 
“Free Ukraine” the following 

month. The campaign raised 
more than $200,000 to supply 
essential items to outfit the 
volunteer Ukraine Citizen 
Defense Force.
Rozenberg and Vadnais 
became acquainted when 
they served for the Michigan 
National Guard. 
Rozenberg will continue 
to run the combined 
organization, while Vadnais 
will focus on raising funds 
and drumming up support 
from the public and various 
governmental and non-
governmental organizations.
SHARE Ukraine will accept 
monetary donations, critical 
field, medical gear and specific 
items of humanitarian nature.
For more information, visit 
www.shareukraine.org. 

Sam Rozenberg

Gregory Vadnais

