This week we had Anthony Camino and Patricia Welle from the Welcome Circle at St. Noel's Church. They spoke about the U4U program which provides pathways for Ukrainian citizens and their families who are outside of the United States to come to the US to stay temporarily. The church decided to help 2 families, 4 adults and 2 children, through the process of coming to the United States. The two families wanted to stay together if possible. Both families came from Kharkiv, one of the cities ravaged by the war. The Welcome Circle helped them get everything they would need to live in the US, a place to live, furnished, all supplies they would need. In a short time the Parishioners  of St. Noel gathered, paid for, and donated everything the families would need. The families came in mid June after travelling for 82 hours. Each adult now holds a job and the children are enrolled in school, with the help of the Welcome Circle. Anthony said that the families have already decided that they want to stay in the United States to make a better life for their children. At the end of the 2 years, they will either need to return to Ukraine or apply for TPS (temporary protective status). Good luck to the families and keep up the great work Welcome Circle members!

 

 

Pictured is Anthony Camino, Director of Social Justices and Pastoral Care Ministries and Patricia Welle, member of Welcome Circle from St. Noel.