Help Dima's Family Stay Safe in Menomonie

Help my Ukrainian student, 13-year-old Dmitrii “Dima,” and his family stay in Menomonie. They fled Russian attacks in Zaporizhia, Ukraine, in 2022 and found safety here in Menomonie in March 2024. Now facing deportation after March 2026, they need $12,000 for asylum lawyer fees to pursue citizenship. Your donation will provide them with a chance for a peaceful future.

Natasha Bade, English Learner Teacher in Menomonie, Wisconsin

MORE OF THEIR STORY:

While life in peaceful Menomonie offers quiet mornings, imagine waking to bombs and invaders. This was reality for my 13-year-old Ukrainian student, Dmitrii “Dima,” and his family when Russia attacked their home in Zaporizhia in 2022. Dima and his family experienced nightly bombings when they had to wake up and rush to the basement. His mother, Maryna Kuznietsova, described Dima, 11 years old, as knowing his mission. He would wake up directly, put on the backpack with the family documents, medications, food, and scramble to the basement, while his mother dealt with Dima’s younger sister Dana, who was 2 years old. Maryna said, “People just don’t know what it feels like to wake up to the fatalities of neighbors… Tanks were driving around in the streets. I did not want my children to grow up like that.” Maryna’s husband, Volodymyr, is in the Ukrainian military. He was held hostage for several days and then had health issues during this time. Maryna and her husband decided that removing their children from the highly unstable situation was the best course of action.

To escape the violence, Maryna and her mother, Luibov, took the children, Dima and Dana, to Poland in April 2022. They remained in Poland for 2 years, waiting for an American family to sponsor them in the US.

Terry and Elizabeth Witt sponsored Dima’s family, and they arrived in Menomonie in March 2024 through the US Citizenship and Immigration Service’s United for Ukraine program. Because that program has been discontinued, Dima’s family must pursue other options to remain here in peaceful Menomonie, Wisconsin. They have until March 2026 or face deportation. The fear of deportation is heartbreaking since the family is finally feeling safe, happy, and at home in Menomonie. A diligent, kind, and friendly 7th grader at Menomonie Middle School, Dima has rapidly learned English (his fourth language) and is beloved by teachers and students. He also plays soccer in a traveling league, demonstrating his passion for the sport. Dana, who attended 4K preschool at River Heights last year and now attends 4K at Head Start, is also speaking lots of English. While Maryna works tirelessly and Luibov provides for the family by cooking and maintaining their home (graciously sharing her Ukrainian cuisine), it's difficult to imagine the fear and distrust they would face if forced to leave their peaceful life in Menomonie and return to Ukraine. To stay in the US and pursue citizenship, they need $12,000 for asylum lawyer fees.

Here is what you can do to help! Please consider donating to help Dima and his family stay in the safe community they now call home. They would then be on the path to achieving American citizenship. A donation of any amount would be greatly appreciated!

Natasha Bade, English Learner Teacher in Menomonie, Wisconsin