Let’s help a Ukrainian family get resettled
Donation protected
Hi everyone, I’m fundraising to help my friend Alina and her family of 8 get resettled in Croatia after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Her family includes, herself, her husband, her four young children, her sister and teenage nephew.
All donations will go towards rent, utilities, school, childcare and all other costs of starting a new life with 5 children after leaving everything behind.
From 1999-2001 I was a peace corps volunteer in Kharkiv, Ukraine. During that time Alina was a close friend and was always there for me. Now I’m here for her.
In 2015 when I was pregnant with twins, Alina had TRIPLETS! Then she had another child shortly afterwards.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I wrote to Alina in Dnipro to ask if she was ok as the world watched in horror as Kharkiv was destroyed.
From then on we were in constant communication as we figured out how to get her and her family to safety. Her sister and nephew arrived from Kharkiv and we learned that her husband was exempt from military service for having 3+ children.
The bombing started in Dnipro and the 8 of them headed to western Ukraine by car. However the town they arrived was also bombed. I encouraged Alina to leave Ukraine but they were hesitant because they did not know where they would go once they left.
I read that Croatia was welcoming Ukrainians fleeing the war. My mom contacted family there and we were blessed with relatives who offered to help them.
In mid-March Alina and family were met by our relatives in Zagreb. Since then, with all the ups and downs of resettlement, everyone has been working tirelessly to find them an apartment, furniture, basic household goods, begin job searches, finding kindergarten/preschools and a high school with available spots for the children.
When I spoke with Alina a few days after moving into their new apartment I asked how she was doing. She said for the first time since the start of the war her children were laughing and playing again. She sees a future now and she’s so grateful to all of us.
Let’s make this transition easier for them by taking away some of the financial hardship of providing for five children in a new country after fleeing a war zone. I am grateful for your generosity in helping this family get back on their feet.
*names changed for privacy
All donations will go towards rent, utilities, school, childcare and all other costs of starting a new life with 5 children after leaving everything behind.
From 1999-2001 I was a peace corps volunteer in Kharkiv, Ukraine. During that time Alina was a close friend and was always there for me. Now I’m here for her.
In 2015 when I was pregnant with twins, Alina had TRIPLETS! Then she had another child shortly afterwards.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I wrote to Alina in Dnipro to ask if she was ok as the world watched in horror as Kharkiv was destroyed.
From then on we were in constant communication as we figured out how to get her and her family to safety. Her sister and nephew arrived from Kharkiv and we learned that her husband was exempt from military service for having 3+ children.
The bombing started in Dnipro and the 8 of them headed to western Ukraine by car. However the town they arrived was also bombed. I encouraged Alina to leave Ukraine but they were hesitant because they did not know where they would go once they left.
I read that Croatia was welcoming Ukrainians fleeing the war. My mom contacted family there and we were blessed with relatives who offered to help them.
In mid-March Alina and family were met by our relatives in Zagreb. Since then, with all the ups and downs of resettlement, everyone has been working tirelessly to find them an apartment, furniture, basic household goods, begin job searches, finding kindergarten/preschools and a high school with available spots for the children.
When I spoke with Alina a few days after moving into their new apartment I asked how she was doing. She said for the first time since the start of the war her children were laughing and playing again. She sees a future now and she’s so grateful to all of us.
Let’s make this transition easier for them by taking away some of the financial hardship of providing for five children in a new country after fleeing a war zone. I am grateful for your generosity in helping this family get back on their feet.
*names changed for privacy
Organizer
Regina Reza
Organizer
Mount Kisco, NY