Hello, привет, привіт, and Shalom!

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I’m Lance Vayner, a high school student and Brooklyn native with a passion for service, community engagement, and long walks on the boardwalk between Brighton Beach and Coney Island. I’m also the proud founder and primary organizer of Bridge to Brooklyn.

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Bridge to Brooklyn began as a concept when I started exploring ways to unite the diverse Russian-speaking communities within Brooklyn. No matter where you go, you’re likely to find a Russian speaker, but what you can never predict is where they’re from. The beauty of Brooklyn is that throughout history, it has remained a safe haven for refugees, immigrants, and those fleeing persecution and instability, and it continues to be so today. Whether you’re on Coney Island or Avenue J, getting off the subway at Atlantic Terminal, going to a game at Barclays Center, dining out in Williamsburg, or watching the sunset in Prospect Park, Brooklyn doesn’t just have bridges; it is a bridge: to the rest of New York, and to the world.

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My bridge to Brooklyn begins with my parents’ journey to the United States as refugees from the former Soviet Union. My mother immigrated to the United States from Kyiv, Ukraine, with her parents in 1980, while my father came with his family from Odessa, Ukraine, in 1979. Both families settled in the Russian-speaking community of Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach, where they built new lives despite significant challenges. Growing up, I witnessed their resilience and the ways they contributed to their community. Their example shaped my understanding of the struggles new immigrants face and inspired me to create a project aimed at helping my community, particularly new immigrants, by providing resources, support, and opportunities for growth, just as my parents and grandparents sought for themselves decades ago.

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Since the start of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, I’ve seen firsthand the influx of refugees finding safety in Brooklyn. Many struggle to integrate into the community or even know where to begin. This is the bridge that is missing in our community, one that connects new immigrants and longtime residents alike to the available resources, programs, and events that make Brooklyn such a strong and welcoming home.

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