From Ukraine to Kansas 💙💛 ✈️ ❤️🤍💙

One family's journey from Vyzhnytsia to Wichita — read their story: [International Rescue Committee logo.]( {NAME}, I wanted to share with you this incredibly moving story about Ukrainian refugees Volodymyr and Victoria Plegutsa. The Plegutsas once hosted families fleeing other parts of Ukraine, but when war hit their hometown in February 2022, it was their turn to rebuild their lives somewhere new. [You can read their full story and see pictures here. »]( [Neal, Volodymyr and Victoria Plegutsa fled Ukraine and resettled in Wichita, Kansas.]( Neal, Volodymyr and Victoria Plegutsa fled Ukraine and resettled in Wichita, Kansas. When the war in Ukraine started, the Plegutsa family understood that they were more fortunate than many other people in their country. Their hometown of Vyzhnytsia is far from the Russian border, and did not see the same level of violence and destruction as other cities. And so, when displaced families began arriving in Vyzhnytsia, the Plegutsas opened their hearts and their home. Victoria, a mother of three, volunteered in town to help displaced people. The Plegutsas hosted families who had fled other, more dangerous parts of Ukraine. [LEARN MORE »]( [DONATE »]( They helped as much as they were able to, just like so many others have since the war began. And as the conflict continued, Victoria and her husband Volodymyr, who was unable to serve in Ukraine's military due to health problems, had to do what was best for their youngest child, Neal. They took a chance to build the future that Neal deserves, and left Ukraine for the United States. [Galyna, IRC community coordinator, welcomes Volodymyr, her friend and client from Ukraine who just landed in Wichita.]( Galyna, an IRC community coordinator, welcomes Volodymyr, her friend and client from Ukraine, who just landed in Wichita. "Thank you for everything you are doing for us, thank you to our sponsors and to the IRC that care about people such as us." —Victoria Plegutsa, Ukraine refugee After arriving in the United States, the Plegutsa family began receiving services through the IRC. This support is helping the family secure the resources to build a stable, sustainable life: health care, employment services, education, and permanent housing. Our team in Wichita has been helping Volodymyr, Victoria and Neal by coordinating their arrival, helping them access language training, and enrolling Neal in school — all part of the IRC's resettlement program. The family says arriving in Wichita felt as though they were being welcomed home by family — except in a place they'd never been to by people they had never met. "And over these two days we absolutely do not feel like we are among strange people in a strange country. We are being treated so well that sometimes I can't believe it and I get a lump in my throat," said Volodymyr. Our offices in Wichita and other U.S. cities ensure refugees receive a warm welcome and have a comfortable, furnished home when they first arrive in the U.S. We also provide job support, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, legal support and more. This year the Wichita office hosted a traditional Ukrainian Christmas party for the new arrivals. Thanks to the generosity of people like you, the IRC is able to provide Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) services like these to thousands of people displaced from Ukraine and other crisis zones in Wichita, and 27 other U.S. cities. [LEARN MORE »]( [DONATE »]( As the Plegutsa family puts down new roots in Wichita, Neal is already thinking about the future. He's looking forward to getting his driver's license so he can drive his mother on errands, and getting a part-time job so that he can contribute to the family's finances. Looking further ahead, he plans to study a language like Spanish (he already speaks English), so that he can someday help other people the way his family has been helped. From hosting displaced families, to being welcomed in a new place — and now, planning to continue that cycle of generosity in the future, the Plegutsa's have had an incredible journey. Everyone has the chance to be kind. Everyone can find space in their hearts for those affected by conflict and disaster. And we never know when the compassion we share will be returned to us. {NAME}, these are the kinds of stories, the kinds of experiences that you make possible with your support. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to families like the Plegutsas. — Hank Hank Walter Senior Officer, Supporter Communications International Rescue Committee [MAKE A GIFT »]( The International Rescue Committee | [Rescue.org]( 122 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10168-1289 USA To ensure future delivery of IRC e-mails, please add our reply address updates@rescue.org to your Address Book. [Click here]( for U.S. federal and state compliance notices [Manage my preferences]( or [unsubscribe](