Greetings!
As Ukrainians continue to flee their country, the need for a warm welcome in the United States grows. Below are resources to help you get involved in helping Ukrainians find refuge in the United States.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, over 6.5 million people have fled Ukraine into neighboring countries, which quickly mobilized to support those fleeing the war. These communities have been providing short-term accommodations, but volume is high and as time goes on, capacity is stretched.
On April 21, 2022, the Biden Administration announced a special process for Ukrainians under its “Uniting for Ukraine” program, which creates a special pathway for Ukrainians to enter the United States on a temporary two-year period of parole.
Because the U.S. administration has opted for a decentralized model of sponsorship, any individual or organization in the U.S. can sponsor any named individual or family fleeing Ukraine. However, many communities in the U.S. that want to help do not have a structure or relationship in place to do this independently.
This is where HIAS and Welcome Neighbor STL come in. They're organizing individuals, congregations, and organizations to sponsor Ukrainians and offering additional training and support. Read below for more information and the forms to apply to host a family.
Thank you for your support,
Stan Shanker
Chair of Jewish Council for New Americans