I am Ellen, the daughter of two immigrants born in Ukraine. My dear mom was 12 years old when war devastated her life. At 17, she arrived in Canada, where she would meet and marry my dad. My mom was very quiet about the life that she had endured, and I now understand why. War is horrific!

I believe that divine intervention brought the family we now have living with us into my family's life. Evhen, Vera, Sofia, Mike, and Liza left Kyiv, Ukraine, the day before all flights were stopped and a week before the first bomb landed in Kyiv. They left not knowing what their futures held but did so for the safety of their children.

Before arriving at our home here in the U.S., they traveled to Turkey and then Thailand. They did not know what they should do until we decided together with them to try and bring them here to our home. They arrived with only the five suitcases they had carried onto their flight out of Ukraine. They were a family without a home.

It's hard to ask for help, but we need help supporting this wonderful family. I believe it is essential that we help others, but I have realized I can't do it alone. They want so badly to work and provide for their family, but they must wait for clearance. We hope to raise at least $10,000-15,000 to help cover legal fees and provide them with enough money to purchase a used car. We have begun filing papers for refugee asylum, but the cost is high, and the wait is long. We are so grateful for any help you can provide them as we work together to try and help them begin life anew. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts!