Official Opening of the Delegation of the Polish Youth Association in Chicago – A New Chapter in the History of Young Polonia

PSM
4 days ago
3 min read

On November 21, 2025, a ceremonial inauguration of the Delegation of the Polish Youth Association (PSM) took place at the Copernicus Center in Chicago. The event marked an important moment for the young generation of Polonia across the Midwest. More than one hundred people attended the ceremony - students active in Polish academic clubs, young professionals, students, teachers, and directors from Polish schools, and representatives of many Polish-American organizations. Such attendance showed the strong demand for initiatives that connect people of Polish heritage in the region.

The gathering highlighted the collaboration between various institutions involved in the life of Chicago’s Polonia. The Copernicus Foundation, the event’s main partners, provided the venue and organizational support. The Delegation also received honorary patronage from the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, Ms. Regina Jurkowska. Local sponsors also offered support: Truck2Parts, Stone Experts - who prepared a commemorative stone with the organization’s logo - and Balloons by Kate, responsible for the decorative arrangements. StelmachLens and OgiFilms provided photo and video documentation, allowing the Delegation to more broadly present its work. Polish-American media, including Dziennik Związkowy and Radio Deon, helped promote the event and published post-event coverage.

During the ceremony, distinctions were awarded to organizations recognized for their service to Polonia. The following representatives received them:

Copernicus Foundation - Agata Mikoda
Polish American Congress - Agnieszka Bastrzyk
Alliance of Polish Clubs - Dr. Łucja Mirowska-Kopeć
Polish National Alliance - Frank Spula
Legion of Young Polish Women - Alexandra Gołota
Polish American Medical Society - Dr. Josephine Długopolski-Gach
Polish Teachers Association - Ewa Koch
Polish-American Youth Council – Anita Mikołajczyk

Speakers included representatives of public institutions and Polish-American organizations: Agata Grochowska, Vice Consul at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, and Agnieszka Bastrzyk, Treasurer of the Polish American Congress. The presence of Jakub Staniewski, President of the Polish Youth Association, emphasized the importance of the newly established Delegation within PSM’s nationwide framework.

In his remarks, President Jakub Staniewski highlighted two key pillars that define the Delegation’s mission. The first is representation. Although the unit is named the “Chicago Delegation,” its work covers the entire area under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Poland—eleven states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. PSM aims to run projects and programs accessible to young people across this whole region, not just within the city of Chicago.

The second pillar concerns tailoring program offerings to the city’s unique character and local needs. Chicago is one of the most important Polish diasporic centers in the world, offering both broad opportunities and significant responsibilities. The leadership team -

Monica Lebensztejn - Director General
Marianna Mosz - Deputy Director General
Barbara Makowski - Secretary
Oscar Gawlik - Treasurer
Konrad Radecki - Director
Katarzyna Murzański - Director

-will ensure that PSM’s programs meet the expectations of students, young professionals, and the broader Polish-American youth community in the Midwest.

Jakub Staniewski also emphasized that the mission of the Polish Youth Association is built on clearly defined values: responsibility, collaboration, initiative, and an informed approach to one’s identity. The organization aims to show that Polish heritage can serve as a strong foundation for developing leadership skills, civic engagement, and professional growth. Its goal is not only to preserve culture, but also to support young people in their educational and social aspirations.

The high turnout - over 150 participants - confirmed that a significant number of young people in the region are seeking space for engagement and collaboration. The Delegation plans to respond to these needs through initiatives such as networking meetings, workshops, volunteer actions, visits to Polish schools, and cooperation with student clubs. These projects aim to broaden knowledge, develop skills, and strengthen the role of young people within the dynamics of Chicago’s Polish-American community.

Looking ahead, the Delegation’s leadership stresses a clear long-term goal: to build a strong youth center that will remain active for generations. In the future, the organization hopes that every young person of Polish descent - whether beginning college, entering the job market, or engaging in community work - will know that they have support and space to grow in this place. The Delegation will closely collaborate with Polish-American institutions in the region, whose long-standing experience is invaluable for the development of educational, cultural, and social initiatives.

The inauguration at the Copernicus Center opened a new chapter for PSM’s work in the United States. The event brought together young people from various backgrounds, initiated institutional cooperation, and set the direction for the Delegation’s efforts in the coming years. As the organization expands its presence across the Midwest, the Chicago Delegation has the potential to become a place that inspires, supports growth, and strengthens the role of the young generation of Polonia in Polish-American community life.

Amelia Piwowarczyk

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