Taria's Journey: From War to Job Loss

My name is Taria Blazhevych. I’m a Ukrainian refugee, a single mother of two young boys, and a woman doing everything she can to keep her family safe and survive one of the hardest chapters of our lives.

We fled the war in Ukraine believing the U.S. could offer us peace and a chance to rebuild. For the past year, I worked full-time as a caregiver and assistant to an elderly American man. I wasn’t a live-in worker, but I was deeply committed — I stayed late, paid for errands out of pocket, and treated him like family.

But when I stood up for what was right, everything turned against me.

Due to his health condition, doctors clearly said he should not drink alcohol. I followed those rules carefully — until one day, someone else showed up and brought him alcohol against medical advice. That person then turned on me, shouting and blaming me for everything. I was scared and alone — so I called the police to protect myself.

Instead of supporting me, my boss chose their side — the same people who had abandoned him for over a year. I was suddenly fired, denied a final paycheck, and locked out of the house, with no chance to even collect my belongings. I also lost access to the car I depended on every day for groceries, work, and caring for my kids.

To make matters worse, I was severely injured in a car accident in January. We were rear-ended at a red light — it was not my fault, and the insurance company accepted responsibility. But since then, I’ve been living in constant pain, dealing with a concussion, kidney complications, and the daily challenge of trying to heal while holding my family together. The insurance process is still ongoing, and I haven’t yet received a settlement.

And now, I’m running out of time.

My U.S. work authorization is about to expire, and due to delays with Ukrainian refugee renewals, it may take months before I can legally work again. I want to work. I need to work. But my hands are tied — just when we need help the most.

As if that wasn’t enough, I recently received heartbreaking news: my mother’s apartment — our last family home in Ukraine — was destroyed in the war. It was located in Donetsk oblast, just a few miles from the front line. The area is under constant threat of occupation. Even if we wanted to give up and return, we have no home to return to. Our town is in danger, and the life we once had is gone.

I am humbly asking for help:

• A temporary or affordable vehicle (even $400/month support would make a huge difference)

• Assistance with rent and basic living costs

• Groceries, gas, school supplies, and medical needs

• Emergency relief until I recover and can legally return to work

I know there are many people in need, and I don’t expect miracles. But if you’re able to support — or even share this story — it could give us the strength to keep going.

You can read more about what families like mine have endured in these powerful articles:

• https://www.glamour.com/story/women-of-ukraine-war-tell-their-stories

• https://www.nybooks.com/online/2022/03/03/kyiv-under-siege/

• https://suspilne.media/1029711-variantiv-zalisitisa-tut-bez-porusenna-zakonu-duze-malo-ukrainci-u-ssa-akim-ne-prodovzuut-pravo-na-perebuvanna/

This is not just a campaign. It’s a lifeline for me and my sons.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for believing in human kindness.

With all my heart,

Taria Blazhevych