Dear colleagues and friends,
As you can imagine, we’ve had a busy week in Poland! We’ve been in the planning stages for getting a community center up and running in the Debniki District of Kraków. It will serve 200 Ukrainians that are living with 50 host families. We visited other community centers to see the layouts for programming the community center in the Debniki district in Kraków. Also, we had several planning sessions with the KDU leaders and Ukraine Relief Initiative leaders…in Kraków and via Zoom from the UK and Australia. Gotta love technology!!! We found a building, finished the final planning, and moved to the action phase.
Mission statement: “Relieve the crisis. Thoughtfully. With discipline and heart. Now.”
Planning session for the community center…in Kraków and via Zoom from UK and Australia.
On Friday, the lease was signed, and we got the keys!!! Oh, happy day! The painting has begun, and the floor rehab is underway this weekend. We will be reaching out for donations for various appliances and furniture items to fill the space. We celebrated on Friday night with champagne and cheers.
Community Center lease celebration, Kraków
The community center will support job searching for moms and grandmas, polish classes to learn the language, general referrals, and women circles for support. There will be a space for teenagers to hang out with activities and toys for the little ones. It will also support and care for the 50 Polish host families currently housing and supporting our 200 Ukrainian guests in the Debniki district with a food pantry and clothing donations.
This has been a collaboration of the amazing women from “URI” and “KDU.” They have shown up in all their greatness to help displaced Ukrainians. We’re overwhelmed by their love, dedication, and talents to make this happen. Every day is a lesson in kindness and commitment to our fellow human beings.
Not only have we been working on the community center, but on Thursday, Dana went grocery shopping with a couple of volunteers and delivered food to help several Ukrainian families. Friday, she helped load a truck of supplies for distribution. There’s a significant need, and fortunately, many volunteers to help.
A grocery shopping trip for Ukrainian families.
Loading supplies for distribution.
Dana after loading supplies.
Many people, like you, have contributed to the Ukrainian refugee efforts, and we thank you! We ask you to help us spread the word to your social circles because this crisis is long from over. There are thousands of Ukrainian women, children, grandmas, and grandpas that need our support to start over in a safe country. Everyone deserves to be safe, fed, clothed, educated, and happy. Please help and share their needs. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”- Helen Keller. Be positive and stay safe, my family and friends. #peaceforukraine #supportforukraine
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.