Yaroslavl

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Volunteer Work in Yaroslavl

Volunteers in Yaroslavl work with children of all ages, people with disabilities, women with mental illness, and retired adults in community-led organizations that provide social services and education. Volunteers work on recreational activities, including creative arts & crafts projects and indoor games. CCS in-country staff in Russia — all highly skilled translators who specialize in cultural exchange — play an important role by supporting volunteers in planning daily projects and accompanying volunteers at their placements.

The organizations where we work always benefit from arts & crafts activities because they stimulate creativity, improve motor skills, and promote communication through shared experience. CCS volunteers ensure continuous support in the areas of:

• Caregiving: Volunteers play sports, lead arts & crafts projects, and provide much-needed love and attention to children and adults of various ages. There are simply not enough caregivers in many of the areas where we work, so volunteers provide the one-on-one attention and care that people would not otherwise receive in daycares and community centers.
• Healthcare: Volunteers serve as companions to women with mental illness, and do recreational activities with children and adults with disabilities. Many social stigmas still surround disabilities in Russia, and volunteers help to provide the companionship and individual attention that people living with disabilities go without.
• Teaching: Volunteers teach English at a vocational school, exchanging ideas and providing new world perspectives. Classes usually include teens and young adults.

Volunteer Abroad (2-11 weeks) and Intern Abroad (4-9 weeks) programs are available in Yaroslavl. Placements are designed to match the needs identified by the community which consistently include planning arts & crafts and recreational activities.

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Cultural & Learning Activities in Yaroslavl

Building on your volunteer work in Yaroslavl, Cultural & Learning Activities include Russian language classes, excursions to local villages where you will get to know the local people, and lectures on Russian history, politics, traditions, and culture. You may also receive a visit from members of the community who are happy to share insight into Russian politics, culture, history, and enjoy trips to museums and concerts.

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Free Time in Yaroslavl

As the cultural capital of Russia’s “Golden Ring” of historic cities northeast of Moscow, there is plenty to do in Yaroslavl. The city skyline features many of the famous domed churches and monasteries that are so synonymous with Russia. Some of the architecture even dates back to the 13^th century. Volunteers learn about religion in Russia's culture by exploring these ancient churches and monasteries, or by visiting museums or the Metropolitan Palace.

During afternoon or evening free time, it's easy to take in a production at a local puppet theater, ballet, or symphony — Yaroslavl is home to the Drama Theater, which is the oldest theater in Russia, and still considered by many as one of the country’s best. Many volunteers enjoy walks along the Volga River or down tree-lined streets to admire the beautiful historic architecture of this picturesque town. In addition to the many other cultural attractions of Yaroslavl, including museums and galleries, Moscow and St. Petersburg are easily accessible to volunteers by train.

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Home-Base in Yaroslavl

Volunteers in Russia stay at a comfortable Home-Base in a newer district close to the center of the city. The Home-Base consists of three floors of a private apartment building. Our volunteers eat delicious meals of typical Russian cuisine. The central location of the Home-Base allows easy access to the local culture and popular sights, as well as close proximity to the organizations where volunteers work in Yaroslavl. The Home-Base also houses the CCS Russia office, so staff members are always accessible.

Transportation to and from your volunteer placement and any Cultural & Learning Activities in Yaroslavl is provided by CCS licensed drivers.

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In-Country Staff in Russia

Local CCS staff in Yaroslavl will welcome you to the community, make you feel at home, and help you better understand Russian culture. They will help facilitate your volunteer experience and are always available to answer any questions that may arise. CCS staff is always from the region where we operate—they provide a local perspective, help you learn the local language, and guide you in what to do in your free time.

All of our in-country staff members are warm, loving people who will make sure you are well cared for. Each CCS program site has a Country Director or Program Director and a full staff to take care of all programming, administrative, and logistical needs, as well as housekeepers, drivers, house guards, and cooks. Because the staff office is typically located at the CCS Home-Base, a helping hand is never far. Learn more about our Russia staff below.

Country Director: Nataliya Gubina
A native of Yaroslavl, Russia, Nataliya proudly joined the CCS staff in 2008. She earned a doctorate in the field of Applied English and has over 25 years of experience in education and management in cross-cultural settings. Promoting cultural exchange and understanding through teaching and management has been the hallmark of her career.

Nataliya graduated from the Yaroslavl State Teacher's Training Institute and became a nurse of public defense before becoming a teacher of both English and German. She taught various courses at high schools and vocational schools across Yaroslavl including marketing, methodological research, Business English, and Cross-Cultural Management in International Business. An expert on Russian culture, she later lectured at Demidov Yaroslavl State University where she taught in the departments of economics, history, and law.

Before joining CCS as the Country Director for Russia, Nataliya served as the manager of Exeter House, a hotel and business center in Yaroslavl designed to promote the exchange of Russian and English culture, for seven years. At the Exeter House, she hosted many international guests, arranged English lessons for children and adults, planned cultural events, and managed a staff while also establishing and maintaining working relationships with the Exeter City Council and the Yaroslavl Friendship Society.

During her career, Nataliya also taught on the Ethics and Psychology of Men/Women Relations and Married Life and became a correspondent after attending the Public University of Worker and Peasant Correspondents.

Translator: Asya Voronina 
Asya translates for the volunteers at the work placements and travel to Moscow to see the volunteers off. She is more than happy to help with any translation that you will need while on the program. 

Accountant: Olga Karulina
Olga keeps and maintains all the accounting books and legal papers for the staff. She also loves going to her dacha (country house).

Transportation: Viktor Toropov 
Viktor is in charge of safely transporting volunteer to and from your volunteer placement and the airport. Viktor has a great sense of humor and loves working with volunteers.

Cooks: Lina Kacharava and Mila Trifanova
Lina and Mila are in charge of providing delicious Russian meals to our volunteers.

Housekeeper: Galina Melnikova
Galina is in charge of maintaining a clean Home-Base.

Security: Vitalik Gubin and Sasha Voronin
They are in charge of maintaining the safety of all volunteers in the Home-Base.