In April 2022, our volunteer Tatiana arranged a shelter for Ukrainian families on the premises of a church in Costa Mesa. Initially, the shelter provided short-term accommodation for new-coming Ukrainians who crossed the border with Mexico. In August 2022, the church collaborated with I Care Ministries to extend the shelter indefinitely.
The shelter has hosted more than 70 Ukrainian refugees and created a fantastic community of local volunteers. Most refugees were able to rent apartments within a few months. They are successfully employed, significantly improved their language skills, and have made many friends. The shelter in Costa Mesa is a great example of how individual efforts can make a change and generate an extensive network of support and solidarity.
Ohio Becomes Fifth US State to Tackle Russia’s Abduction of Ukrainian Children
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) Nova Ukraine applauds the Ohio State Senate for becoming the fifth U.S. state legislature to introduce a resolution condemning Russia’s forced abduction of Ukrainian children. The bipartisan bill (SCR 21) introduced by State Senators Thomas F. Patton (R-Strongsville) and Kent Smith (D-Euclid) “condemns the Russian Federation for the wrongful and illegal abduction, forcible transfer, and subsequent illegal adoption and indoctrination of children from Ukraine.” Ohio joins Maryland, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin to take up this issue. To date, only Wisconsin has held a full vote and adopted the resolution. Nova Ukraine Director of Advocacy Aleksandr Krapivkin says:
