The family, pictured above, is currently awaiting approval from the U.S. Immigration office for their entry into the United States.  The Minnewaska sponsor group hopes to welcome them to Glenwood this spring.  

Group is looking to raise $15,000 to bring the family to Minnewaska area

By Melanie Stegner

news@pctribune.com

A group of individuals in the Minnewaska area community have joined together with MECO7 in Glenwood to sponsor a Ukrainian family seeking refuge in the United States. 

    This project began through education and partnership with Alight (wearealight.org), a nonprofit organization in Minnesota that partners with Welcome.US to connect Ukrainian families with United States sponsors.

    Over the past year, the war in Ukraine has destroyed cities, separated families, and forced 25% of the population to leave their homes. 8 million Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries, while 6 million are internally displaced. The Minnewaska sponsorship team is in contact with such a family in need from Ukraine. This family relocated several times and then fled Ukraine to protect their children from the ravages of war. 

Karina Mork has been heading a fundraiser to help the family. “We have connected with a family through welcome.us and are waiting for our application to be approved through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services department,” she stated. “We connected with a number of families and felt like this one would be a good fit to settle into the Glenwood area based on their skills and goals. We’re in the process of securing housing at this time, which is the first big step.”

    The family is currently awaiting approval from the U.S. Immigration office for their entry into the United States. The Minnewaska sponsorship group hopes to welcome them to Glenwood this spring.

When refugees arrive in Minnesota, they come with very little, usually what they can fit in a suitcase and the clothes they are wearing. According to a news release, 100% of the received funds will be used to support the family in settling into a safe home which will be the first step in rebuilding their lives.

The group is looking to raise $15,000 for the family and any funds raised above this goal will be used to assist other Ukrainian refugee families, in partnership with Alight.

    Funds can be donated through GoFundMe.com/minnewaska-area-ukrainian-family-sponsorship or locally at Glenwood State Bank (mention MECO7 Ukrainian Family.)

    To learn more about the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program and how to become a sponsor, visit wearealight.org or welcome.us. For more information on the Minnewaska project, contact Karina at info@meco7.com or visit us at MECO7.com.