New coalition hopes to help Ukrainian refugees find a home in Centre County. How to help
A group of local professionals hopes to help Ukrainian refugees relocate to the State College and Centre County area.
The Centre Coalition for Ukraine, launched this summer, is working with California-based nonprofit Ukraine Now to identify Ukrainian refugees and find ways to assist them in central Pennsylvania. According to volunteer Philip Burlingame, the coalition plans to start by providing housing and related services to 10 refugees. Those efforts can continue and expand if the group secures more funding, he said.
“I’m honored to be part of this effort and am confident that the individuals and families coming to Centre County will be met with compassion and support,” coalition chairperson Erin Crown, president of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative, said in a statement. “I am thankful that we live in a community that not only has resources to share, but an openness to do so.”
Ukraine Now’s case managers will work with the Centre County-based coalition to match it with refugees who could relocate to the area. Anyone with information about potential housing options for Ukrainian refugees is encouraged to send the coalition an email at coalition4ukraine@gmail.com.
Relocation efforts aren’t possible without contributions from community members, the coalition said. Donations can be made online through the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative, another nonprofit that is supporting Ukrainian refugees.
In a statement, coalition member Jamison Malcolm said the group has already received donations both big and small.
“On the very first day we began collecting donations, we had a generous pledge from the George Woskob Family of $10,000,” said Malcolm, who represents the Nittany Church. “Also, three concerned young children from State College pledged $1 each from their personal allowance.”
A handful of local business, education and medical professionals are leading the Centre Coalition for Ukraine. They’re also partnering with leaders from the Penn State Ukrainian Society to help students support relocation efforts.
Maria Smereka-Hladio, the president of the Penn State Ukrainian Society, said in a statement that Ukraine has “faded out of perception” over time after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.
“Innocent people are still being targeted by the Russian military and millions have been displaced from their homes,” said Smereka-Hladio, whose family emigrated from Ukraine in 2000. “Those who have managed to escape are desperately seeking safe haven for themselves and for their families. Here in the Centre Region, we must come together and recognize the urgency of these needs as a community and do our part to help those who are suffering.”
Ukrainian immigrant Artur Kiulian founded Ukraine Now “within hours” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Since then, he and his team have worked with federal agencies to help Ukrainian refugees obtain U.S. travel visa applications and access government services.
The Centre Coalition for Ukraine is far from the first local campaign to drum up support for Ukraine. Throughout August, State College businesses will help host a solidarity initiative that will raise supplies for local refugees and donate meals to Ukrainians across the globe.
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