Escaping from War in Ukraine....

UKRAINIAN FAMILY STARTING A NEW LIFE IN LOS ANGELES

One month ago, I drove to LAX to welcome Maxim, Tetiana, and Baby Varvara SHULIAKOV, refugees from Kharkiv, Ukraine, into my home. In February as the bombs began falling on their town–25 miles from the Russian border—the Shuliakovs packed up their VW car, and tearfully said goodbye to their home, their manufacturing business, and their family/friends and headed West into an unknown future.

And so, I am doing my best to help their forced move to America a little easier. The Shuliakovs want to begin their new lives, create a home for their one-year-old daughter, and hopefully start another small business. But imagine doing this without a driver's license, an American credit card, a social security number, or the support system we all have to lean upon. They literally just have what they could carry through customs. Their immediate needs:

Every day, we see how heartbreaking the situation is in Ukraine and keep thinking - What Can We Do? You don’t need to open your home—although you are welcome to – any donation to this family-in-need would be wonderfully appreciated.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING THEM IN WHATEVER WAY YOU CAN!

I know we are all getting inundated with so many causes in need of support, so honestly, no pressure, but if you feel so inclined…This Go Fund Me will help the Shuliakovs launch themselves into a safe used car, a rental apartment & furnishings.

Being welcoming is our country's best feature. It’s a promise sealed into our Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired,

your poor and huddled masses…

yearning to breathe free.’"

And while some generous folks have already helped “lift the lamp beside our golden door.”....there’s a reality/limit to what the Shuliakovs can accomplish without a bit more help. And so, anything is appreciated!

More background on the Shuliakov Family from Deb:

The Shuliakovs packed up their VW and two suitcases and drove West. Moldova. Romania. Slovakia, Austria….. And finally to a relative outside Stuttgart, Germany. This is where we connected through a friend-of-a-friend. After numerous What’s App phone calls, I filled out several I-134 forms with Homeland Security, promising to sponsor and support their safety in America.. Quickly, the Shuliakovs were granted a Travel Visa and Parole Status in the States for two years.

First, I want to compliment all the American bureaucratic organizations for genuinely being so welcoming. So far: LA County has given them Health and Food Benefits; Inroads to Daycare and ESL resources; the DMV allowed Maxim to take his driver’s test in Russian (he passed!); T-mobile kindly gave them a new phone #s. And many thoughtful friends have already donated a car seat, a crib, and diapers for the baby and supportive comfort to Tetiana and Maxim.

Although Maxim is quite capable, he does not yet have a Work Permit, a Social Security # or an EAD card, which means he cannot work legally. And although he has applied for a work permit, this process through Homeland Security could take months. So they scrimp-and-save with the finances they receive from the County; they try to take savings out from the Ukrainian Banks (but there’s a monthly cap on withdrawals).

They left almost everything behind and cannot go back to their Homeland, so they need to start anew. And they are very capable of having a positive impact in America. We all need a bit of something something.

PS. Your support does not have to be financial. If you have any books, electronics, used furniture, a donatable vehicle, or just patience and time, feel free to send it along. And also, email me at [email redacted] with any other recommendations, expertise, donations or ideas.

Best thanks again and always.

Deb Newmyer