THEY ARE ALSO A FORM OF RESISTANCE, ACTIVISM, AND CULTURAL PRESERVATION
Dance & Food Are Healers
Steppe (pronounced “Step”) is a cultural initiative rooted in the rich traditions of Ukrainian folk dance and foodways named after Ukraine’s native grassland—a fertile biome symbolizing growth, wisdom, and resilience. Steppe brings immersive cultural experiences to the Santa Cruz community and beyond.
Our mission is to preserve and celebrate Ukrainian heritage through dance, food, and community-centered events that foster joy, healing, and intercultural connection. By creating spaces for collective movement, storytelling, and nourishment, we enrich local community life while channeling humanitarian support to displaced Ukrainians.
Through every step and shared meal, we honor ancestral traditions and activate cultural resilience—directing proceeds to critical aid and ensuring Ukraine’s vibrant culture continues to thrive.
We're a small, but mighty team fueled by our bottomless well of will, deep love, and determination passed down from our ancestors to strengthen our beloved Ukraine.
TATIANA
Founder, Director & Artist
ANYA
Operations Coordinator
Our Impact
Since 2022, all of our programs have been designed to both celebrate heritage and give back. 100% of net proceeds from merchandise and select events support humanitarian aid for Ukrainians—both abroad and resettled in California.
- Purchased and personally delivered over 200+ emergency medical kits to Ukraine
-Legal and medical support to bring Ukrainian children who've been illegally forced to Russia back to the safety and love of their Ukrainian families.
- Food for seniors and families in Ivano-Franvisk, Ukraine
- Dental Care + Miscellaneous Funds for use for family- Santa Cruz, CA*
- Moving and household items for a family of (5) - Santa Cruz, CA
- Large Grocery Stipend + Specialty Clothing - Family of (6), San Francisco, CA*
- (3) Months Diaper Supply + Groceries + Clothing - Family of (4) from Kyiv, Ukraine*
- Dental Care + (3) Months Room Rent + Grocery Stipend - Palo Alto - Recently got a job and internship at Stanford!*
- (1) Featherlite Wheelchair for 80-year-old refugee, Davis, CA*
- Groceries for (2) Adults for (2) Months - Davis, CA*
- Medicine Assistance - (1) Adult - Davis, CA*
- Groceries + Airfare Stipend - Family #1 of (4 )- Sebastopol, CA*
- Groceries + Airfare Stipend - Family #2 of (4) - Sebastopol, CA*
- Groceries + Airfare Stipend- Family #1 of (2) of Santa Rosa, CA*
- Groceries, Medical Assist with Meds + Airfare Stipend, Family of (3) - Pleasanton, CA*
- Shipment of children's clothing hand-knitted by Santa Cruzians to Children's Hospital in Kyiv
- 1/4 cost of container shipment fee to Lviv of (20) Dialysis Machines going to Mykolaiv, Ukraine*
* In partnership through UACC (Ukrainian American Coordinating Council) in San Francisco