Ukrainian family adjusting to American life with help of neighbors
Kateryna Ivanova and Sergii Ivanov moved to White Plains three months ago after enduring war in their home country of Ukraine.
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A Ukrainian family is adjusting to their new life in Westchester County.
Kateryna Ivanova and Sergii Ivanov moved to White Plains three months ago after enduring war in their home country of Ukraine.
The couple, who have 9-month-old twins and a 10-year-old son, are from Mykolaiv, which is in the southern part of the country.
"That was one of the areas that was most effected during the war from the full-scale invasion," said Sergii Ivanov.
The family has escaped the horrors of the war and is now tasked with adjusting to life in a foreign country.
"I think the notion of changing the world one step at a time and helping a family, I think is a very powerful lesson to teach our children," said Bob Klein, of the Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration.
Since 2021 WJCI has resettled 24 Afghan families and nine Ukrainian families, including the Ivanov family.
The circles are made up of volunteers who help find the families a place to live and provide them with donated items needed to furnish their new homes.
Volunteers also help families integrate into society by signing up kids for school and helping them access English classes and find jobs.
"These are things that help you keep your dignity and feel like you can be at home here to be a whole person," said Sergii Ivanov.
"I’m planning, I’m not dreaming I’m planning to give them the right education to all of my children," said Kateryna Ivanova.
To learn more about WJCI Welcome Circles, click here.
