My name is Johnna, and I am humbly reaching out to ask for your help on behalf of my dear friend. She is a young mother to a beautiful little girl and was forced to flee her home in Kherson, Ukraine, when war broke out in 2022. Saying goodbye to the only home she had ever known, she left behind years’ worth of memories, countless family and friends, and a promising career as a dancer—a life she deeply cherished. She first sought refuge in Poland, but like so many Ukrainians, was met with discrimination and disdain. She quickly realized she could not stay. Eventually, she found herself in Maryland, hopeful at last for a permanent place to call home. My friend, along with her mother and daughter, were granted temporary status in the United States under a humanitarian parole program for Ukraine.

In the two years since arriving here, my friend and her mother have worked tirelessly at their respective jobs, determined to make this place their home. She has been meticulous with her documentation, often sacrificing and saving to pay large sums just to keep her status secure. Despite this, to everyone’s shock, after submitting paperwork to extend her temporary status, she received a notice for deportation this December. Her mother and daughter, who filed the same paperwork, were extended. Completely distraught, my friend reached out to us for help, willing to provide every document to prove she had done things right. Thanks to the generous donation of a church friend, we were able to hire a lawyer to investigate. From what we can tell, a clerical error was made—one that, heartbreakingly, we can't seem to reverse. The lawyer has made it clear that my friend and her mother now need to embark on the lengthy, tremendously costly process of obtaining asylum if they are to remain here. Without this, my friend will be sent back to Kherson, where there are still frequent bombings and the landscape is unsafe.

So, here is my ask: I love my friend dearly. She is a true role model, enduring so much and never complaining. You’d be hard-pressed to know any of these hardships from her because she always carries herself with such optimism and grace. She wants a good life for her daughter and is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

Our lawyer has explained that the total cost for her and her mother to complete the asylum process will be $16,000—$8,000 in legal fees for each of them. My friend has been working relentlessly and saving every penny since this ordeal began, but this is an enormous burden for two people whose lives have been turned upside down through no fault of their own.

Would you consider standing with her—and with her family—by helping to ease this overwhelming financial burden? Every contribution, no matter the size, is a powerful gesture of hope in the face of uncertainty and loss. Your support sends a resounding message: You belong here. You are seen, valued, and welcomed as part of our community. Welcome home!

Thank you, from the depths of our hearts, for your compassion and generosity. Your kindness will make a concrete difference for our friends in need.