Help the Sherstiuk Family Start Over — Again

Imagine being 17 years old, and in just a few short years, losing your home, your friends, and nearly everything familiar — not once, but multiple times.

That’s the story of Ruslan Sherstiuk and his family.

In 2021, Ruslan was a typical teen in Dnipro, Ukraine, chasing his hockey dreams and enjoying life like any other kid. Then the war began. Overnight, the sound of laughter was replaced with sirens and rockets. The family lost power, safety, and any sense of normalcy.

To protect their children, Oleksandr and Elena Sherstiuk made the impossible decision to flee. Their journey has taken them across four countries — Ukraine, Germany, Canada, and finally the United States — always searching for peace and a place to belong.

When they arrived in Mentor, Ohio, they finally found it. Ruslan joined the Mentor High School Hockey team, where he rediscovered the joy that war couldn’t take from him — his love for the game. With the Cardinals, he became more than a player; he became part of a family. His determination, heart, and quiet strength inspired everyone around him.

But now, life has thrown another challenge their way.

The Sherstiuk family’s U.S. visa was not extended. Instead of being forced back to war-torn Ukraine, they are once again starting over — this time in Poland, where they will try to rebuild their lives from scratch.

They’re leaving behind the home, school, and community they built here in Mentor. They’re starting fresh, with very little, in yet another new country.

This GoFundMe is to help them resettle safely — to afford the basics: a place to live, warm clothes, food, and school essentials for Ruslan and his sister Oksana.

After everything they’ve survived, this family deserves a chance to simply live without fear.

Ruslan’s story is one of courage, faith, and an unbreakable spirit. With your help, we can give him and his family a stable foundation as they begin again.

Every single donation — no matter the amount — means the world.

If you can’t donate, please share their story. ❤️

Thank you for helping the Sherstiuk family start their next chapter — with hope, dignity, and love.