2002 William Allen Award Winners
Working with Ukrainian orphans brings joy for Millikan
Irene Millikan, a management and organization consultant for the Learning, Education, and Development Organization in SSG, is one of six Allen Award Northwest finalists honored at a July 10th luncheon. Irene, however, could not attend. She is in the Ukraine, as she has for the past four summers as a volunteer with Mission to Ukraine where she works with orphans.
Irene's nephew Luke was adopted from Ukraine, and when she went with his parents to visit the country of birth, she realized how much help the children need. She's worked with the orphans in summer camp settings, and in their orphanages, including one for developmentally disabled children. Her group also bought 200 pairs of shoes for orphans. The orphanages in the economically troubled country have very few resources.
She has also started a project to help prepare the children to make their own way in the world. When children turn 16, they must leave the orphanage, losing the support system they have known all their lives, and receiving minimal government help. Prostitution and suicide are two dangers they face. Her goal is to establish a girls' home where some of these orphans can be safe, get more education and transition to independence.
She also keeps in touch by mail with a group of eight orphans aged eleven to thirteen, remaining a constant in their lives. When she's back home, Irene raises funds to help the orphans and studies the Russian language so she can communicate with "her" children and her Ukrainian co-workers.
This is Irene's second year as an Allen Award finalist.