Representing various regions and backgrounds, the staff of the RCC are as unique as our homelands. We wear many hats here at the RCC. Though we might hold one title (or even a couple), we’re all involved in many aspects of running the day to day business of our ambitious center. We’re staunchly committed to serving our community and feel proud that any member of the RCC is available to help in any capacity.
Over 20 years ago, Vladimir and Elena Malyuta came to America with four suitcases and $176. They had survived violence, alcoholism and government repression. They gave up everything to make a new start in a strange and unfamiliar place. When they arrived, they were confronted with the reality that Washington State lacked resources for Russian immigrants, particularly translators. “There was one translator who was always late,” says Elena. But the couple didn’t give up, they transformed challenges into success and today they are doing the same for others.
In 1994 Vladimir and Elena started Perspective, a Russian newspaper, with four pages and few advertisers. Today,
Perspective is 200 pages and advertises a variety of businesses whose values match the Malyutas’ mission. In 2009 they purchased and renovated a building on the border of Bellevue and Redmond and launched the Russian Community Center.
vladimir malyuta
Vladimir is passionate about helping Russian immigrants and promoting Russian businesses with the publication Perspective. As a minister of the
Full Gospel Christian Center and Founder of the Russian Community Center, he shares his values of family, faith and friendship.
Read Vladimir’s own words about the RCC:
message from the founder.
Elena malyuta
Sometimes called the “Iron Lady” by her husband Vladimir, Elena is the embodiment of a survivor. The victim of a brutal stabbing, Elena lived despite the odds and ever since has refused to quit when times are tough. “I didn’t come here expecting anyone to help me,” she says of her arrival in America. Instead she worked hard to get to where she is today. She took a job as dishwasher in Seattle and within three years she was successfully managing restaurants and learning to get by in America.
Today, Elena runs a successful mortgage business and serves on RCC’s Board of Directors. Through the RCC, Elena finds satisfaction in teaching others to succeed as she has. She is excited about welcoming new members and building a network of volunteers to make Washington State the center of Russian culture on the West Coast.
tatyana ni
Tatyana moved to the United States in 2001 from Kazakhstan with her husband and young son. Starting a new life here could be difficult at times and Tatyana began thinking about the need for someone to help with the common problems facing immigrants and wondering if there were a place someone like her could get advice on where to start and what to do.
Soon, she started working in the advertising department of the Russian newspaper Perspective. She met many immigrants and heard their tearful stories. She found her experience had inspired many ideas about how to help people facing the same challenges she did. Tatyana worked closely with Vladimir, already helping immigrants with advice and other support. This mentorship encouraged her to get involved in the RCC’s mission. Today she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and serves as Treasurer for the RCC.
Ekaterina Ponomareva
Ekaterina first came to the United States in 1998 on a visit and decided to stay. Adjusting to life in America was difficult, made worse when her husband left her and her three children. Ekaterina is most thankful to God and for the people who helped her in her time of need. “There were times that no money could help,” she says of her first months here. She found that what was most beneficial was the strength and support she received from others who had gone through what she had, coming to a strange land with few resources and few friends. But this hardship was not without its rewards. Ekaterina found people she could always rely on and was inspired to explore how she could help.
Today, Ekaterina is the Director of the RCC’s Happy Woman’s Club. She is motivated by a desire to help women like herself. Her vision for the RCC and the Happy Woman’s Club is a strong team of reliable people who will strengthen the community, expand horizons and above all: maintain a positive attitude. In addition to running the women’s club, Ekaterina finds great joy in sharing the beauty of nature with children, organizing outdoor activities to play and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere.
Read Ekaterina’s own words about the Women’s Club:
message from the director.
Irina Aficiuc
Born and raised in Moldova, Irina moved to the U.S. after winning a Green Card lottery in 1998. Her husband and two children accompanying her, Irina found it hard to start her life in America but her entrepreneurial spirit served her well. She worked as a packager in a warehouse, assisting the supervisor as a translator for Russian and Ukrainian employees and soon was inspired to start her own business. Since 2000, Irina has been serving as a certified medical and social interpreter. She attended Highline Community College and graduated in 2002 with an AA in Business and Accounting and a BA in Pedagogy and Psychology in Early Childhood Education.
Irina is drawn to the RCC by her desire to help others and the variety of social opportunities. Her vision is that the RCC will be a place where all immigrants from the Soviet Union will find help and support. Since arriving in America, Irina has had two more children, a boy and a girl.
