Hello,

As many of you know my husband Mike and I have a daughter adopted from Ukraine. She has a sister, Lena that recently fled from Kiev, Ukraine to Krakow, Poland. The journey was a very long one. After Lena crossed into Poland we were put in touch with friends of my cousin who run an apartment complex in Krakow, Poland. Their names are Bartek and Magda, and they own an apartment complex called Apartments Roman at Main Square in Krakow. You can find them here: apartmentsroman.pl. Lena was provided transportation to the apartment, given free rent for up to two weeks, as well as hot food and a shower..her first in ten days. The children are being given toys and clothing. The women are washing laundry for the newly arrived refugees. They are in the process of setting up a school for the children so they can be together. These women have left EVERYTHING, including their husbands. Their future is uncertain, and they are mostly in shock upon arrival. What a gift it is to have a safe, warm place to stay and to have a network of caring people embracing these displaced families. My family is able to help Lena and her daughter, but there are many more women arriving who have nothing to give, and we would like to help. Bartek and Magda are working tirelessly to make these families as comfortable as possible. They are working with a network to arrange long-term housing after this initial period and jobs. A lot of people have asked how they can help. This is a wonderful way to make a meaningful difference right now. I will send all donations directly to Bartek and Marta once a week. I plan to post updates on how the families are being helped through these donations, along with photos. If you feel led to help, the need is great and this is a wonderful opportunity.