After five generations in the country they once called home, Nadiia Vasylieva, her daughter Kate and her mother Victoria, fled from their home in Ukraine after their city was bombed.
“I still [have] my father in Ukraine. I’m missing him, and my grandfather’s in Ukraine, so I’m missing [them], but I understand here is my safe place," says Kate Vasylieva.
There are millions of displaced Ukrainians living abroad because of the war, but a new program through Kelly’s Angels called “Hugs for Ukraine” is helping to give Ukrainian families living in the Capital Region a little piece of hope.
What You Need To Know
- A program through Kelly’s Angels called “Hugs for Ukraine” is helping Ukrainian families living in the Capital Region
- The grant program gives up to $1,500 to families who want their children to experience normalcy
- Donations have come in since the program started in February
“Typically, Kelly’s Angels provides grants to children who have lost a parents or sibling to cancer or other illness or who themselves are battling a health condition,” said Kelly’s Angels board member Jenny Sparano. “In this case, grief takes another form: It’s the loss of what is normal to them the loss of having to be separated from their families a half a world away.”
The grant program gives up to $1,500 to families who want their children to experience some normalcy, with Vasylieva and her family being among the first recipients.
“I want to go to summer camp, make new friends, learn English more," Vasylieva said.
The program started in February, and there have already been hundreds of dollars in donations. Nadiia Vasylieva said the support her family is receiving means everything.
“It’s like a miracle, a dream come true, and as a result of this, we know everything will be OK," Nadiia Vasylieva said.
They remain hopeful that they will be able to return to Ukraine, but for now, Nadiia and Kate say they are making the best of their situation and trying to make their new house feel like a home.