Uniting for Ukraine: Welcoming the Immigrant
Our parish, along with members of the Strongsville United Church of Christ and other community organizations, have formed a Welcome Circle in support of a family of five. Read an article about us and other parishes in the area welcoming Ukrainian families. Our family is the Polianchuk family, consisting of a father who is skilled in driving a truck and carpentry, a mother who was a teacher, and 3 young children.
Update 4-11-2023
Life has settled down into a regular pattern for the Polianchuk family. Dad Mykola is going to work, the chilfren are going to school and mom Yevheniia keeps everyone on task at home. Now that the basics of resettling are in place, the family is focusing on learning English. This has become the next challenge to overcome in order to gain full independence and for future job prospects. The children are picking up English at school and their progress is very good. Both parents are enrolled in English classes four days a week, which keeps everyone very busy. The members of our Welcome Circle provide babysitting, transportation support and consultation. At this time, Mykola hopes to continue a career as a truck driver. He will need to obtain his CDL which also requires him to have a good command of English. Recently, the family received a donation of a car, which is another huge step towards independence. They are still working towards steady employment and financial independence, but gradually the family is adjusting to their new life. We are confident that they will reach their goals of independence and self-sufficiency.
We are also very excited to share that as part of their Lenten project the students and parents of Sts. Joseph and John School, coordinated by 5th grade teacher Heather Estephan, created a spiritual bouquet of cards and letters from the SJJ students welcoming and praying for our family. They also delivered a sizeable donation which will be used to buy outdoor play equipment and summertime activities. It was a powerful moment showing how children care and can help one another!
Baby Mykola is 15 months old and is very active. His babbling is sweet and Mom told us that he speaks half English/half Ukranian. As is typical for children his age, he always seems to find pointy things, so he needs constant monitoring. The children are very close and helpful to each other. They have a wonderful, loving family dynamic.
We are so grateful for the support we have received from the Parish community. Thank you for your ongoing thoughts and prayers!
Here is a letter the family wanted to share with everyone who has helped along the way:
Dear Team of Sponsors,
We are very grateful for the opportunity to visit and live in America, that you have given our family. We are pleased to meet such wonderful, friendly, beautiful people. We sincerely appreciate the time and resources you have devoted to helping us at a time when Ukraine is in a complicated situation. Your active public position, concern, and tireless work add faith in an excellent Ukrainian people's future because the unity of the civilized world is one of the main conditions for Ukraine's success. You are a model of humanity and charity.
May your kindness return to you a hundredfold. We wish you optimism, health, inexhaustible energy, and peace. A low bow to all who help Ukraine overcome Russian aggression and give Ukrainians a chance for a happy life.
Best wishes,
The Polianchuk family
Your financial support allows us to supplement the family's needs until they can meet their own.
If you have any questions or wish to learn more, please contact our coordinators:
- Rosanne Radziewicz, Turn on JavaScript!
- Angela Weerasuriya, Turn on JavaScript!