#Principle 4 – How can you help your family and community?
We are on the move again! Dana and I are visiting my sister Deb and her family in North Carolina. Deb’s granddaughter was born hard of hearing and got cochlear implants in May. She’s 14 months old and hasn’t heard voices, music, the wind in the trees, or even thunder. Her implants were activated last month. It’s a gradual process so as not to overstimulate her brain. It’s been a lot of fun spending time with her and watching her hear for the first time. Dana and I will go to her next programming session later this week. Because of the team at Duke Children’s Hearing Center, the fabulous advancement of science and medicine, and her Hearing teacher from North Carolina’s Infant/Toddler Program, she has a chance at a normal hearing life. We don’t think about deafness unless it touches us or someone we know. But it happens more than we think. Our whole family is involved in getting her language and communication skills to the same level as her peers. We hope she “catches up” by the time she starts school. She’s a curious little girl and full of personality. I think she will be more than ready for school! It takes a village and a loving family to love and help whenever we are needed.
This is similar to the Świetlica Dębniki Community Center in Kraków, Poland. Ukrainian women had to leave their husbands, brothers, and other family members fighting a war in Ukraine to find a safe place for themselves and their children. Even though they left part of their family in Ukraine, they found a place where they are welcome and feel connected. Volunteers in the Dębniki District of Poland have come together to help. The community center was created, and a village was born. And now…they are all family!
Below is a picture narrative of a typical day at the community center.
“Summer at the Theater”. Summer Theater classes for teenagers. Finding inspiration
in the neighborhood.
People in need come to the clothes/food pantry.
The gifts collected in the collection are Kherson waiting for transport.
Someone who came to read a book in our library.
English language classes.
Polish language classes.
Kids are playing and waiting for their mothers who are learning Polish and English languages.
Unexpected food delivery!
Wow! And this is just a normal day at the community center. We all need a connection with loving and compassionate people. As you can see that Świetlica Dębniki Community Center, with the help of volunteers and donations, has created a place that helps Ukrainian women and children feel like family. These Ukrainian families are surrounded by people who empathize and care. If you would like to be a part of the community center family and help fund summer programs for kids, language classes, and women’s groups, we welcome donations, big or small. Every bit helps. Please see the bottom of this email. Thank you so much for being part of my circle of light. I hold you all close to my heart. Be positive and stay safe. #community #ittakesavillage #lovewins #supportukraine
Much love,
Cindy
HOW TO MAKE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UKRAINIAN RELIEF INITIATIVE
All contributions are fully tax-deductible through HCC, our registered 501(c)(3) passthrough charity.
TO CONTRIBUTE BY CHECK:
Make your check payable to **Hispanic Community Council** – (VERY IMPORTANT: not to Ukraine Relief Initiative) and send it to the following address:
HCC – URI
c/o John Kersey
208 Liberty Street
Warren, PA 16365
Please indicate “Ukrainian Relief Initiative” in the check memo and include a note with your contact info (address, phone, email).
TO CONTRIBUTE ELECTRONICALLY BY PAYPAL:
Use this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WMYJHS9UVMWY2. PayPal goes through the “Hispanic Community Council,” our 501(c)3 passthrough organization.
In the memo, please include your name, address, phone #, and email so we can process your tax receipt.