ON OUR FRONT PORCH Ukraine Families Find Refuge On The Liberty Coast

On Our Front Porch

Ukraine Families Find Refuge On The Liberty Coast

by Joe Snowberger

With a single bag of basic belongings over their shoulder and children in tow, wives and mothers are leaving Ukraine by the millions. They are fleeing the horrific conditions of a brutal war, leaving their husbands, and children’s fathers, behind to defend their country. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has generated an enormous humanitarian crisis. As of this writing, over 12 million UkraiSome Ukrainians are safe on The Liberty nians have been displaced from their Coast. (Photo: Yulia Brychka) homes. Over six million have left Ukraine altogether, with no idea of where they will end up or if they will ever see their husbands again. While most of the displaced families are escaping to neighboring countries, some of the refugee families are traveling to spots all over the world to shelter with relatives, friends, or welcoming communities as far away as the United States. Safe Harbor On The Liberty Coast. Traveling from Ukraine to Poland, on to Paris, to Mexico City, to Tijuana, to San Diego and then Florida, 137 Ukrainian mothers and their children have made it to Jacksonville. “These refugees have arrived with no luggage and are temporarily living in friends’ and relatives’s living rooms and garages. They are in need of a wide variety of basic items,” shared Pat Mulvihill, Army and National Guard Veteran, President of the North JAX Rotary Club and a principal organizer of the Rotary’s local Ukrainian relief efforts. Mulvihill added, “Hygiene kits, new undergarments, socks, summer-weight clothing, and household goods (dishes, bath and bedroom linens) appear to be the most pressing needs.” He also said furniture is not needed at this time and donations to the non-profit organization, Dignity U Wear, will support obtaining the needed new undergarments and socks. Some 35 of the displaced families arriving on The Liberty Coast are children. Five of the women are expectant mothers and are receiving prenatal care from UF Health Jacksonville’s Little Miracles Program. As this story was being written, one expectant mother is in St Vincent’s hospital where she is expecting the birth of her child any day. Some of the refugees have significant medical needs including one needing oncology support. Many local medical practitioners, hospitals and community health outreach centers have volunteered to assist during this time of need. Mulvihill rattled off a list of the organizations and agencies that have stepped in to assist in so many ways. They include multiple Jacksonville Rotary Clubs, Rotary International District 6970, the Special Forces Association, Catholic Charities, Baptist Health, Lutheran Services and the United Way, among many more. The Living Stream Church and the Global Outreach Charter Academy, in the Regency neighborhood of Jacksonville, are operating as initial care and coordination centers for these families, displaced from their country and husbands. Living Stream Church’s congregation is primarily composed of Ukrainian nationals who immigrated over two decades ago after the fall of the Soviet Union. Global Outreach Charter Academy was founded by Ukrainian immigrants in 2009, with a mission to expose its 1,500 Jacksonville students to various languages and cultures. Financial Barriers To Sustainability. As much as they may find The Liberty Coast a pleasant and safe place to be, our Ukrainian guests all desire to return home. With no idea of how long they will be here, many of the displaced women are looking for employment. That is a lot easier said than done. In addition to language and experience translation barriers, transportation, clothing and housing issues, the refugees face an immediate financial challenge to be able to support themselves. The employment authorization documents, which immigrants need to work, cost $550. Additionally, most of the refugees require support from an attorney and a Ukrainian speaker. A “Sponsor-a-Family Program,” to assist the employment efforts of the Ukrainian refugees, is being developed by local Rotarians. Delivering Humanitarian Relief On Both Sides of The World. In addition to aiding the Ukrainian families in our community, Rotary clubs are coordinating fundraising, partnering and implementing humanitarian-aid initiatives for direct support to humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. A 25,000 square foot warehouse in the Arlington neighborhood of Jacksonville doubles as the collection and distribution spot for local support items as well as medical equipment, supplies and food being sent overseas. From the warehouse located at 29 South Arlington Road, Northeastern Florida’s support for Ukraine is first going to logistics centers within Poland and on to humanitarian-aid workers treating and caring for thousands in Ukraine. DE OPPRESSO LIBER. As a former Special Forces Operator, Mulvihill came to live by the translated latin motto, “To Free the Oppressed.” Mulvihill stressed, “We are providing civilian material for humanitarian aid only. No military or defensive equipment.” He continued, “We are helping innocent humans caught up in turmoil, who are suffering, who need immediate help now. We are just helping.” To date, over 350 donated police protective vests and 350 units of emergencyrescue-fire personnel burnout-bunker gear have been received from police and fire fighter agencies in Clay County and Gainesville. Additionally, significant amounts of medical equipment, EMT supplies and critical wound-care equipment have been donated. This includes an estimated $500,000 equipment donation by Baptist Health System in Jacksonville. This is an ongoing story. Many organizations have and continue to contribute. To learn more about how to assist in providing humanitarian relief for this influx of underserved individuals and help those still in Europe, email the Rotary’s emergency and disaster aid committee at pem@axisp.com or text 904.534,0035.

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