We’re happy to have cell and internet coverage again! I’m so sorry for the lack of updates. Dana and I retraced our trip through New York with my sister, Deb, and her husband. It was fun visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Niagara Falls, and the National Women’s Rights Museum again. We had a blast spending time with Deb and her husband. But…we’re back in North Carolina now.
We planned a birding trip to Brazil in July and Africa in November. And we were told we don’t have enough blank pages in our passport. Really? We made an appointment at the Atlanta Passport Agency to rush through a passport renewal. Our new passports were already delivered to Deb’s house! I love how things work out! While in Atlanta, we visited The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Jimmy Carter not only was the 39th president, but he also won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian and peace-building work through the Carter Center. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter worked with Habitat for Humanity and created the Jimmy and Rosalynn Work Project. They have helped build, renovate, and repair 4390 homes in 14 countries. They are generous souls that have lived their life’s purpose in service to others. Amazing!!!
Also, while in Atlanta, we visited the National Center of Civil and Human Rights Museum. This statement is on the website explaining what the museum is about.
“The National Center of Civil and Human Rights is a museum and human rights organization in Atlanta that inspires people to tap their own power to change the world around them.”
In our country, the constitution guarantees rights and liberties for all. We are still struggling to live up to these guarantees. However, I believe our best hope for change is when we know our country’s history, learn from the past and strive to not repeat the hateful rhetoric of racism. This civil and human rights museum is so well done…the exhibits showed the offenders AND defenders of human rights throughout the US and the world. It’s very inspiring to see these heroes and realize that it takes all of us to love and respect one another through our thoughts and actions. Living in harmony is my deepest wish for all of humanity.
When you are next in Atlanta, I encourage you to visit these museums. I am grateful for the opportunity to visit them because they have inspired me to live with peace in my heart and understanding of all people. This is why I enjoy helping our Ukrainian friends. It feeds my soul to surround myself with the loving volunteers of the Ukrainian Relief Initiative and KDU.
Cindy and Dana at the National Civil and Human Rights Museum in Atlanta.
Now, are you ready to be amazed at the progress of the community center in Kraków? Here are the accomplishments from KDU since its opening three weeks ago:
On June 5, we opened our Świetlica Dębniki Community Center in the yard at Konfederacka Street no 4 in Kraków, Poland (several hundred people attended, Polish and Ukrainian residents from our district and from Kraków).
ŚWIETLICA DĘBNIKI Community Centre – thanks to the support of the Ukraine Relief Initiative, it is a friendly place with activities for refugees from Ukraine. IT WORKS! What a joy! Here are the numbers served so far:
- Polish language lessons for adults – approx. 100 people.
- English language lessons – approx. 10 people on the course.
- Therapeutic and creative workshops for children and teens – approx. 80 people.
- Meditation / women’s circle (first sessions) – approx. 15 people.
- Drop-in daycare for children – 180 children.
Our free charity “shop” is open – over 170 families (over 500 people!) have received support.
Our friends, Sisters of the Rivers organization (Siostry Rzeki) visited us, together with Kraków-based artist Cecylia Malik we made tablets with the names of Ukrainian rivers for a happening on the banks of the sister river, Vistula, supporting Ukraine.
We have launched the “Career Section,” a place for people looking for a job.
Hundreds of laptops found their way into the hands of those in need thanks to the wonderful Laptopy Dla Ukrainy foundation, which we lent a place in our Centre.
We were able to help the families that were cared for by Funkcja Miasto Association (thanks to our volunteers, Marcin Mroczkowski and Karen Bettin, without them, it would not have been possible!
Together with our amazing volunteers, we supported the preparation for the opening of a wonderful place at the foot of Wawel hill by the Let’s Help Together Foundation (we can’t wait to tell you more about this cooperation, stay tuned!). We have started a “Great collection of small figures for the psychotherapy center.”
Thank you for your help, friendly smile, and support! Together we can do more! We can relieve the crisis NOW!
Women of all ages are learning Polish.
A Ukrainian woman is learning Polish with her young daughter next to her.
Thank you so much for the donations you have contributed. Because of you, hundreds of Ukrainian women and children are re-establishing their lives in Poland. Thank you.
The community center is now offering summer camps for school-age children. The summer activities are a great way to not only keep them entertained but it’s also an avenue for them to make new friends and help them stay connected with their peers who are going through similar experiences of war. If you would like to help, would you please consider donating to help these innocent children have fun this summer? We appreciate your kindness and compassion in helping our Ukrainian friends. Together we can do so much. Be positive and stay safe.
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July! Happy birthday, America!
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.