Liudmyla Sokol

My name is Liudmyla Sokol, and I am reaching out for support for my family. In 2022, my husband Yevhen, our son Nikita, and I were forced to leave Ukraine because of the war. In the first days, when explosions were happening around us, my young son said to me: “Mom, I want to live.” That moment changed everything — we knew we had to leave to protect his life. We arrived in the United States in 2022. Nikita started school in Ashland in 3rd grade. He is doing very well, has strong grades, studies piano, loves animals—especially cats—and, like any child, enjoys playing and exploring the world. This year, he also discovered a love for drawing, and he is doing very well with it Today, our son is in 6th grade at Ashland Middle School. He has friends, stability, and a sense of safety — something that means everything to us as parents. We live in Ashland, Oregon. I work as a Costume Technician at the Oregon Shakespeare Theatre. My husband, Yevhen, works in construction and is building his professional path here in the U.S., while also working toward obtaining his professional license. Together, we are doing everything we can to support our family independently. Now we need to extend our legal status in the United States (re-parole through the Uniting for Ukraine program), as it is still not safe for us to return to Ukraine. As a mother, I want to do everything I can to ensure my child remains safe. This process is complex and expensive for our family, especially with new requirements and rising costs. At the same time, our move to a new home happened during this period, making it even more difficult to cover all expenses on our own. Estimated costs include: • USCIS filing fees • work authorization renewal fees • legal assistance • related documentation and application expenses All funds will be used by our immediate family here in the United States for these essential expenses. We are also actively involved in our local community. I sing in a Ukrainian vocal group and participate in cultural and charitable events, sharing Ukrainian culture. If our story resonates with you, we would be deeply grateful for your support. We are truly thankful to everyone who stands with us. Your support helps us stay safe and move forward with hope ⸻ This is a personal fundraiser for my immediate family (my husband and son), and all funds will be used directly by us in the United States.