Ukraine Refugees Welcomed to Gwinnett

By Beth Volpert Johansen

Some of the most heartfelt and poignant stories begin with a simple social media posting. When a globally relevant story lands right in the middle of Gwinnett County, people pay attention. When tensions are high internationally, and the entire world can see the horrors of war played out in Ukraine, people wonder how they can help. Moreover, suddenly, the living, breathing refugees arrive right in Gwinnett County.

For Laura Drake, Director of the SE Gwinnett Co-op, a phone call changed everything. She posted on Facebook a plea for help. And, as her faithful-self expected, God answered her. Speaking of a beautiful baby girl who visited the Co-op with her family, Laura wrote:

She has no idea, but God knows. She will not remember this day, and I will never forget it. My new friend Googled “I need help with food.” The Co-op popped up and she called.

Because we serve an All Knowing, Mighty God, and because the Co-op is undergirded by His God Army, we welcomed our new friends yesterday and heard their stories, held their babies, and shared a meal.

That first meal? Chick-Fil-A, provided by the Scenic Highway – Snellville Store. “They loved it!” says Laura. “Thank you, Tom and Gene, for your generosity with this meal of love.”

It all began with the faith of a small Russian-speaking church congregation located in Lilburn. The families who are from Ukraine, Russia, and Moldova felt a strong call to help. Accessing their building fund, they worked to bring forty-five Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees to the United States. The process of registering for the status is overwhelming, but the family-to-family outreach has prepared them for the challenge.

Outreach options began to materialize as Laura reached out to her friends Denise Smith and Stephanie Marbut from Peace of Thread. “God already had our friends Denise and Stepanie in place from Peace of Thread when they became my new friends last year when we lived this same story with precious souls fleeing from Afghanistan,” says Laura. “They are experts in helping refugees. Thank you, God.”

Peace of Thread was established to provide a way for newly arrived women – primarily mothers – to provide for their families and maintain their dignity during an incredibly stressful time. The women are taught to sew beautiful boutique-quality bags and accessories. With every piece purchased, you are investing in the future of our artisans and their families.

“Laura is such a dear friend, she called with this immediate need and invited me to meet the women of the church at a Chick-Fil-A lunch,” says Denise, Founder and CEO of Peace of Thread. “It was so beautiful to be able to hug and love on these faithful women. I cried along with everyone.” The meeting began the wheels churning for Denise and Laura. “We will be training five women at a time,” she says. “They all want to learn to sew so they can work from home.”

Laura adds, “While these families work through the process, we committed ourselves to this church to help to fill the gap and supply their needs, allowing them to care for these families. Again, I must stress that I strongly believe we are called to this moment by God. These families came with two bags. They left everything behind.”

Because the SE Co-op is located in Grayson, the activity immediately caught the attention of the city government and community. “I wish I had the words to describe what it was like assisting in delivering supplies and meeting approximately twenty Ukrainian refugees – several of them children – and learning what they went through to get here,” says Amanda Leftwich, City of Grayson Community Development Director. “My heart is both full and broken at the same time. I do know this – Grayson, Georgia is the most giving city there is.”

That giving spirit caught on with an initiative to provide the children with the happier things that help make a childhood joy-filled. “The first time we were there,” says Mayor Allison Wilkerson, “we noticed that they didn’t have any toys. Obviously, when you can only bring two bags with you, toys are not high on the priority list. So, we have taken on this mission! Through some amazing help, we have purchased five bikes and helmets and five dolls.” The families have 18 children between the ages of 2 months to 7 years. Those who wish to help, please donate through Grayson’s City Hall.

Between the Lilburn Russian House of Prayer, SE Gwinnett Co-op, Peace of Thread, and the Grayson and Gwinnett Communities, there is hope for these refugees. These humans, fellow faithful humans who have their families together, but lack the basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter, will emerge from this huge change

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