Welcome Circle for Ukraine

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops', together with dioceses across the country, is helping to welcome displaced families to the United States through “Welcome Circles.”   The St. Joseph Parish CRS/Social Justice Ministry has formed a “Welcome Circle” and we have welcomed our first family to Downingtown.

A Welcome Circle is a group of 5-20 people who come together to provide wraparound support for the family, housing, time-bound income support, basic necessities, job search advice, orientation to the community, and more.

The families we will be welcoming are coming to the United States as part of the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) Program.  Created by the U.S. Government shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine, the U4U program allows Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members to come to the United States and stay temporarily for 2-years.  This program does not provide a pathway to citizenship, but offers a reprieve for those that have had to flee their homeland due to war.  Participants are allowed - and are expected - to work while in the United States.
 

Meet Our New Family

Our first family has arrived!  Yuliia and her son Ilarii (5-years old) are from Kamianets - Podilskyi in Ukraine.  Yuliia is a teacher and is hoping to bring Ilarii to a safe place where he can begin school again.

If you would like to help this family (and others that will hopefully soon follow), please visit our Donation Page where you can donate to our "St Joseph Welcome Circle."  Funds will be used to help them travel to the U.S., basic necessities when they arrive, and to get them settled into suitable housing when they arrive.

For More Information:
To learn more about our Welcome Circle, please email Deacon Matt at [email protected].
To learn more about our CRS/Social Justice Ministry, please visit the ministry page here.