An Urgent Call for Help:
Ohio’s Ukrainian Families Need You
Please join us in advocating for a safe resolution to the current uncertainty surrounding our Ukrainian brothers and sisters, many of them young families raising small children (like our parish sponsored Kushnyr family).
The St. Christopher Ukraine Welcome Circle invites you to join us in advocating for a safe resolution to the current uncertainty surrounding the Ukrainian families (like our parish sponsored Kushnyr family) who escaped the war in Ukraine to seek safe haven here. As the devastation of war continues and countless families are displaced, the need for safe, peaceful living conditions has continued. However, the time-sensitive resettlement programs that were established to facilitate this national humanitarian effort are due to expire in the very near future.
Our parish community gladly embraced the young Kushnyr family almost two years ago. They have proven to be hard working, devoted members of the City of Parma, St. Leo the Great, Ukrainian Village and our St. Christopher communities. For well over a year now, Valeriia has been a valued employee of University Hospitals while Dmytro has been working on meeting American standards for his computer technology business/IT certification. The Kushnyrs are quick to express their gratitude and praise the work that our church community did to bring them here. They appreciate that we continue to pray for them, assist them, and treat them like family.
This plea is on behalf of all those newcomers who came here to escape violence, protect their families, and provide better living conditions for their children. You can advocate for the Kushnyrs and other Ukrainian families who came to Ohio through Humanitarian Parole, a legal and documented temporary protection program. Contact members of Congress, Governor DeWine and civic and religious organizations to ask for an extension to the Humanitarian Parole program permitting these families to continue living safely in the United States.
Should you have any questions or need assistance in reaching out, please contact Mary Joan and/or Ron Papajcik at 440-292-6998 or 216-577-2808.
How you can help
On behalf of the Kushnyrs, our Ukraine Welcome Circle, and our pastoral staff, we THANK YOU for answering this call to action.
Choose one or both of the options below to register your support of our Ukrainian brothers, sisters and children currently in the U.S. under Humanitarian Parole and at risk of being displaced once again.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mary Joan Papajcik at 440-292-6998 or Ron Papajcik at 216-577-2808.
THANK YOU for your consideration and participation.
St. Christopher Ukraine Welcome Circle
With 3 easy steps, this link will help you to submit an email expressing your support for the continuation of the Humanitarian Parole program:
- Complete your name and email
- Use the prepared message as is or edit to personalize your message by stating you are part of a community that has welcomed a family and how this has impacted you.
- Click the Send Message button.
Use these links and/or phone numbers. Consider having a brief script prepared in case you need to leave a voicemail.
President Donald J. Trump
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Senator Bernie Moreno
https://www.moreno.senate.gov/share-your-opinion
Phone: (202) 224-2315
Senator Jon Husted
https://www.husted.senate.gov/contact-jon/
Phone: (202) 224-3353
Representative Max Miller
https://maxmiller.house.gov/contact
Phone: (202) 225-3876
Personalizing Your Message
Personalizing your email is powerful. It reinforces that you care about extending the Humanitarian Parole program. Simply state that you are part of a community that welcomed the Kushnyr family and/or speak about your personal experience, insight gained and overall positive impact.
EXAMPLE:
Dear …
With all due respect, I am contacting you to express my support for the Humanitarian Parole programs, which are extremely important to me and my community. I understand that the Department of Homeland Security has issued a notice directing Immigration officials to review cases of individuals who are currently in the U.S. on Humanitarian Parole in order to determine whether to terminate their parole status and begin the process of deporting them.
My community, friends and neighbors value those who are here legally through Humanitarian Parole. We are deeply concerned about their safety in light of this announcement. Humanitarian Parole is a legal authority that has been used for nearly a century by Republican and Democratic presidents alike to respond to humanitarian crises. The United for Ukraine Humanitarian Parole sponsorship programs allow Americans to help families in need of refuge to arrive here through a safe, orderly, supportive, and legal pathway. These American sponsors use their own private resources to support them with housing, employment, and other essential needs until they become self-supporting.
As an American citizen who is proud of the generous, kind and caring attitude we hold toward those in greatest need, I am asking, with all due respect, for your help in protecting the individuals and families in our state with Humanitarian Parole status. This is a very important and personal issue for me, and I am truly grateful for your consideration of this request.