Vitalii and Valentyna Relocate to the U.S.
Donation protected
Over the past year, we've been struck by the devastation in Ukraine. World events like these always remind us of the incredible privilege and good fortune we have in our lives. A few months ago, we learned about the Uniting for Ukraine program, which allows U.S. residents to sponsor Ukrainian refugees to relocate to the U.S. Long story short, we were connected with a married couple named Vitalii and Valentyna (and their dog, Teddy), who were living in Kyiv when the war started, and we decided to sponsor their resettlement in the U.S.
Vitalii and Valentyna will be relocating to the U.S. in early June. They'll live with us in Richmond, and we'll support them financially until they're able to find jobs and move into their own place. They will have the right to work in the U.S. immediately upon their arrival, and we'll help them secure all necessary paperwork and benefits and navigate establishing a new life here. As you can imagine, this is a huge change for them, so we'll do whatever we can to make it easier.
Valentyna is 44. She holds degrees in Law and Psychology and has over 10 years of experience in sales and business development, most recently as the Regional Manager for a manufacturing company. She understands some English but doesn't speak it well, so she's starting to study with Vitalii. We'll find ESL courses and other resources for them both.
Vitalii just turned 36 in March. He has a Bachelor's in Law and a Master's in Finance, and he was working in supply chain and logistics. Vitalii has managed distribution centers and was most recently the deputy head of a manufacturing company. Vitalii's English is conversational, but he will need to improve before he can work in his field again. He's been working with a tutor for several months.
We would appreciate anything you can do to help:
- For our friends in Richmond, we'd appreciate you spending time with Vitalii and Valentyna once they arrive, so they can make friends, practice their English, and get to know their new home.
- If you have ideas about job opportunities we should explore for them, or employers they should connect with, please let us know! Vitalii is considering getting his CDL and working as a truck driver, so we'll be researching those options with him. Valentyna's English will be a challenge for her initially, but she wants to find work as well.
- We're also raising $5,000 to pay for their travel from Germany (where they're currently living) to the U.S. and other expenses related to their resettlement. We have an empty guest suite in our house, so we will furnish that space for them, and they'll be able to take that furniture with them when they eventually find their own place. If you're able, please donate here. We'll cover all their living expenses for as long as it takes them to become independent, and we'll donate any excess funds to them to help them get established.
Please feel free to call or email us with any questions, other resources, or anything else you think would help. Also, feel free to share this page with any friends, family, or other contacts who might be willing to help.
Co-organizers (2)
Daniel Estrada
Organizer
Richmond, VA
Steven Koski
Co-organizer