I came in contact with Olena when I saw Olena and Maia's story on nextdoor about a month ago. A lovely woman named Susan was hosting them and sourcing things they needed like clothes, work, and housing. I was told that they had stayed 14 places over 6 months. Susan said Olena cooked and baked and could assist with babysitting and was in need of work. I had child care needs and some baking Olena could help with so and I was glad to hire her for those things. Olena was reliable and she and her daughter were very pleasant. I told her if she didn’t get a place sooner that she could stay with me when the house and pet sitting gig where she was staying was up. My place is #15 for them.

While they have been staying with us for just a few days, in the short time of knowing this mother daughter duo, I have truly grown to care about them and am honored to advocate for them.

Olena is a smart college educated woman that had worked in travel and hospitality. She is an amazing chef and baker and is using her skills to work small jobs to support her daughter. She is working incredibly hard every day, leaving no stone unturned in her efforts to secure permanent employment and housing which continues to be a huge challenge.

Still, she is truly an inspiration. She is a beautiful person, lovely, friendly, happy, generous and kind. She always offers to share the little she has while keeping an upbeat attitude. She is gracious, loving, and hopeful. I can't understand how when, by now, I and others indeed would be defeated.

Her 5-year-old daughter Maia is so much like my 6-year-old son Jack. I am praying for this child. She is going through and has gone through so much, but like her mom, she is somehow radiantly charismatic, cheerful, and sweet.

I asked Olena if she had ever heard of GoFundMe or if anyone had made one for her. She was unfamiliar but agreed to allow me to post on her behalf.

Olena and Maia need support to secure long term housing, transportation, meals, clothes, and school supplies. Anything anyone is willing to provide will be appreciated. This would be a hand-up well worth making. They need enough money to get situated here since having to flee Kyiv and the war in Ukraine in May.

Thank you for your compassion and charity. If you do not wish to donate money and are compelled to help in some other way (if you have housing or other donations), please contact me directly. Any resources and assistance will be welcome and appreciated. God bless you.