My apologies for not updating you on our Athena Journey. After our canoe trip in Minnesota, we traveled to St. Paul, visited with friends, and went to a Twins game. Then we drove through South Dakota and visited Wind Cave National Park. Wind Cave is the third longest cave in the United States. Our next stop was Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado. Onward to Utah. We hiked in Dead Horse Point State Park. Check out the video, https://youtu.be/ChsWUN_hs-A. Currently, we are on our way to Las Vegas.
Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah
Dead Horse Point State Park looking across to Canyonlands National Park in Utah
While I appreciate traveling around our beautiful country, my heart is with our newfound Ukrainian friends. My purpose is to help. And my passion is working with URI and KDU. I am so proud to be surrounded by their generosity and kind hearts. We so enjoy sharing their progress with you.
The Świetlica Dębniki Community and the Fundacja Let’s Help Together Psychotherapy Center have been a refuge for Ukrainians. They come to the community center for help with job searching, to learn the native Polish language or English, and to connect with other women. And children have fun in art and craft classes, and teens connect with their peers. And even the youngest children have a place to play and learn.
Weekly schedule at Świetlica Dębniki Community Center
The Fundacja Let’s Help Together Psychotherapy Center offers meditation, women’s circles, yoga classes, and group and individual therapy. Therapy is essential for Ukrainian women and children to cope with the effects of war and resettling in a new country.
The photo above is not a photo of an ordinary meeting of friends. Ukrainian refugees, Polish and American volunteers, and a girl from Uzbekistan (a runaway from Kyiv) sit at one table. If not for the war in Ukraine and for the good souls of URI, who support our Center, these people would probably never have met in the backyard of house No. 4 on Konfederacka Street in Kraków, Poland. We are sure they will remember URI, this place, and this meal for a lifetime.
The centers are making a difference for 150 families. Because of these centers, families find strength through connection to help them move forward every day. They now have jobs that have brought confidence and faith that everything will be okay. The resilience of these Ukrainians is nothing short of amazing.
Surrounding myself with the good of humanity feeds my spirit. I believe our love and compassion for all humanity make a difference. Won’t you join us in the relief efforts? We want to raise $200K to fund these centers for the next six months. And we would love your help. See below for ways to contribute. Or consider volunteering to join our Polish partners and us in Kraków. URI + KDU: “1 + 1 = 1,000”
“Relieve the crisis. Thoughtfully. With Discipline and heart. Now.”
Thank you for your continued interest in our Athena Journey. And for your compassion and support in the Ukraine relief efforts. I have no words to express my love. Thank you for being in my circle of light. Hope for peace for Ukraine and the world! Be positive and stay safe.
Freedom is possible!
Much love,
Cindy and Dana
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/
In the memo, please include your name, address, phone #, and email so we can process your tax receipt.