"Over the last 40 years we've welcomed more than 20,500 refugees to Chicago together -- including many Ukrainians. They live alongside us as our neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Our hearts ache for the families left in harm’s way."
Melineh Kano, Executive Director
August 24, 2023
On this Ukrainian Independence Day, RefugeeOne marks 1.5 years of providing focused services to Ukrainian families forced to flee their homes due to Russia's invasion.
RefugeeOne has welcomed 4,267 Ukrainians through our doors since last April – the number of new arrivals increased exponentially for months. We continue to enroll new arrivals into our programs each week. Our Ukrainian program staff has grown to more than 20 individuals to assist the growing refugee community. They provide critical support to newly arrived Ukrainians navigating complex support systems, helping with public benefit applications, work authorization, social security cards, and school enrollment, as well as helping secure state funds and direct rent support to offer financial stability to families as they adjust.
We’ve launched Ukrainian-specific English language classes in neighborhoods where Ukrainians are settling, including seminars on topics like housing rights and higher education. Due to unrestricted donations, Ukrainian refugees are able to access all our additional in-house programs as well, including youth programming, mental health services, and legal assistance.
The Department of Homeland Security has now extended Ukraine's designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until April 19, 2025. Our immigration team is already hard at work helping Ukrainians to extend their legal status in the U.S., expecting to help complete 150 extension applications by the end of the year.
We stand with Ukraine, as we have from the beginning, working tirelessly to welcome individuals and families to safety in Chicago.
In the spirit of Ukrainian Independence Day, RefugeeOne extends wishes for justice, peace, and recovery to all Ukrainians around the world.
On this Ukrainian Independence Day, RefugeeOne marks 1.5 years of providing focused services to Ukrainian families forced to flee their homes due to Russia's invasion.
RefugeeOne has welcomed 4,267 Ukrainians through our doors since last April – the number of new arrivals increased exponentially for months. We continue to enroll new arrivals into our programs each week. Our Ukrainian program staff has grown to more than 20 individuals to assist the growing refugee community. They provide critical support to newly arrived Ukrainians navigating complex support systems, helping with public benefit applications, work authorization, social security cards, and school enrollment, as well as helping secure state funds and direct rent support to offer financial stability to families as they adjust.
We’ve launched Ukrainian-specific English language classes in neighborhoods where Ukrainians are settling, including seminars on topics like housing rights and higher education. Due to unrestricted donations, Ukrainian refugees are able to access all our additional in-house programs as well, including youth programming, mental health services, and legal assistance.
The Department of Homeland Security has now extended Ukraine's designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until April 19, 2025. Our immigration team is already hard at work helping Ukrainians to extend their legal status in the U.S., expecting to help complete 150 extension applications by the end of the year.
We stand with Ukraine, as we have from the beginning, working tirelessly to welcome individuals and families to safety in Chicago.
In the spirit of Ukrainian Independence Day, RefugeeOne extends wishes for justice, peace, and recovery to all Ukrainians around the world.
October 27, 2022
This week marks 8 months since Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine. To date, RefugeeOne has supported 1,145 displaced Ukrainians. More than 280 were helped in the last month alone. With Chicago being the second largest hub for Ukrainians coming to the United States through “Uniting for Ukraine,” this number will only continue to grow.
As a result, this week also marks a rapid expansion of our Ukraine program. We opened satellite offices in Buffalo Grove and Ukrainian Village to better reach resettled Ukrainians where they live. We have also expanded our Ukrainian-speaking staff and Ukrainian case managers.
RefugeeOne helps with the following services:
To make an appointment for these services, email info@refugeeone.org. In the subject line, write “Ukraine” and the name of our office nearest you (Chicago’s West Rogers Park headquarters, Chicago’s Ukrainian Village satellite, Buffalo Grove satellite).
The expansion of our Ukraine program is only possible thanks to generous support from individuals, foundations, and governmental entities. As always we stand by our Ukrainian neighbors and will continue to provide support to them as they arrive.
This week marks 8 months since Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine. To date, RefugeeOne has supported 1,145 displaced Ukrainians. More than 280 were helped in the last month alone. With Chicago being the second largest hub for Ukrainians coming to the United States through “Uniting for Ukraine,” this number will only continue to grow.
As a result, this week also marks a rapid expansion of our Ukraine program. We opened satellite offices in Buffalo Grove and Ukrainian Village to better reach resettled Ukrainians where they live. We have also expanded our Ukrainian-speaking staff and Ukrainian case managers.
RefugeeOne helps with the following services:
- Applying for employment authorization documents and social security cards
- Applying for public benefits
- Securing the required health screening and TB test
- Making referrals to other needed services including school enrollment, English classes, and job search support
To make an appointment for these services, email info@refugeeone.org. In the subject line, write “Ukraine” and the name of our office nearest you (Chicago’s West Rogers Park headquarters, Chicago’s Ukrainian Village satellite, Buffalo Grove satellite).
The expansion of our Ukraine program is only possible thanks to generous support from individuals, foundations, and governmental entities. As always we stand by our Ukrainian neighbors and will continue to provide support to them as they arrive.
July 6, 2022
As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth month since Russia's renewed invasion, RefugeeOne remains committed to serving Ukrainians in earnest. More than 265 Ukrainians have learned of RefugeeOne through our outreach and community networks and come seeking support.
We continue to closely track federal policy regarding Ukrainian refugees. As such, we are pleased the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Refugee Resettlement has updated federal policy on Ukrainians fleeing to the United States. Ukrainian parolees can now access public benefits, including cash assistance through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income, health insurance through Medicaid, and food assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This is a critical step forward in supporting Ukrainians to rebuild their lives here.
Our support includes:
We will continue to support Ukrainian refugees as they arrive to the United States and strongly hope for a just end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Stay informed about further developments, stories, and ways to help and donate by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and by subscribing to our e-News.
As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth month since Russia's renewed invasion, RefugeeOne remains committed to serving Ukrainians in earnest. More than 265 Ukrainians have learned of RefugeeOne through our outreach and community networks and come seeking support.
We continue to closely track federal policy regarding Ukrainian refugees. As such, we are pleased the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Refugee Resettlement has updated federal policy on Ukrainians fleeing to the United States. Ukrainian parolees can now access public benefits, including cash assistance through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income, health insurance through Medicaid, and food assistance through Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This is a critical step forward in supporting Ukrainians to rebuild their lives here.
Our support includes:
- Enrolling all eligible individuals and families in the public benefits mentioned above for a modest source of income and applying for their work authorization documents.
- Securing state funding of $4,000 per family or $2,000 for individuals through a special grant pool. We are now working with partners at the Illinois Department of Human Services to replenish that pool.
- Helping navigate questions of immigration status and making referrals for legal applications or advice.
- Opening the doors of our English classes, youth program, employment support, and wellness services to all, thanks to donations from generous individual donors and foundations
- Connecting Ukrainians with local food pantries and other community support resources.
- Expanding our case manager team for Ukraine to handle the increasing number of Ukrainians coming to Chicago.
We will continue to support Ukrainian refugees as they arrive to the United States and strongly hope for a just end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Stay informed about further developments, stories, and ways to help and donate by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and by subscribing to our e-News.
May 10, 2022
On April 21, the Biden administration announced “Uniting for Ukraine,” a new humanitarian parole program to welcome up to 100,000 people displaced by the ongoing Russian invasion. The program allows U.S. citizens and organizations to sponsor and take fiscal responsibility for Ukrainians and certain foreign nationals living in Ukraine.
Although this is an important step in the right direction, humanitarian parole is a temporary status and thereby a temporary solution. It doesn’t include access to essential social services and lacks a pathway to more permanent safety.
It’s critical that Congress provides humanitarian parolees from Ukraine with access to vital resettlement services and public benefits, just as we did for those from Afghanistan last fall. It’s equally important that Ukrainian humanitarian parolees can adjust their status should they not be able to safely return home.
Chicago is home to the second largest Ukrainian community in the U.S. RefugeeOne has already begun serving families from Ukraine, most of whom entered through the southern border. Our Ukrainian staff have already begun outreach in the community to support families during this difficult time. We will continue to welcome and assist people who have been forced from their homes, whether from Ukraine, Afghanistan, or beyond.
On April 21, the Biden administration announced “Uniting for Ukraine,” a new humanitarian parole program to welcome up to 100,000 people displaced by the ongoing Russian invasion. The program allows U.S. citizens and organizations to sponsor and take fiscal responsibility for Ukrainians and certain foreign nationals living in Ukraine.
Although this is an important step in the right direction, humanitarian parole is a temporary status and thereby a temporary solution. It doesn’t include access to essential social services and lacks a pathway to more permanent safety.
It’s critical that Congress provides humanitarian parolees from Ukraine with access to vital resettlement services and public benefits, just as we did for those from Afghanistan last fall. It’s equally important that Ukrainian humanitarian parolees can adjust their status should they not be able to safely return home.
Chicago is home to the second largest Ukrainian community in the U.S. RefugeeOne has already begun serving families from Ukraine, most of whom entered through the southern border. Our Ukrainian staff have already begun outreach in the community to support families during this difficult time. We will continue to welcome and assist people who have been forced from their homes, whether from Ukraine, Afghanistan, or beyond.
March 9, 2022
Dear friends,
For weeks, we’ve watched the devastating situation in Ukraine unfold, driving what is likely to be the largest displacement crisis in Europe this century. More than 2 million Ukrainians have already fled the country, and the UN estimates up to 5 million may need protection in the coming months.
Although it’s too soon to know what role the U.S. will play in their resettlement, RefugeeOne stands ready to welcome Ukrainians. Our national resettlement partners are in conversation with the State Department to ensure we're prepared to respond whatever the need may be.
As you’ve seen, most of Europe is sympathetic to the Ukrainian plight and likely to welcome those forced to flee. While we applaud this generosity, we also urge them to welcome refugees from all parts of the globe in the same manner, whether from Africa, Burma, Iraq, Syria, or beyond.
Together over the last 40 years, we’ve welcomed 20,000 refugees to Chicago–including many Ukrainians who now live alongside us as our friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Our hearts ache for their families left in harm’s way.
As always, RefugeeOne stands ready to welcome all those fleeing violence and persecution, no matter where they're from.
Thank you for helping ensure they have a welcoming place to rebuild their lives.
With thanks,
Melineh Kano
Executive Director
Dear friends,
For weeks, we’ve watched the devastating situation in Ukraine unfold, driving what is likely to be the largest displacement crisis in Europe this century. More than 2 million Ukrainians have already fled the country, and the UN estimates up to 5 million may need protection in the coming months.
Although it’s too soon to know what role the U.S. will play in their resettlement, RefugeeOne stands ready to welcome Ukrainians. Our national resettlement partners are in conversation with the State Department to ensure we're prepared to respond whatever the need may be.
As you’ve seen, most of Europe is sympathetic to the Ukrainian plight and likely to welcome those forced to flee. While we applaud this generosity, we also urge them to welcome refugees from all parts of the globe in the same manner, whether from Africa, Burma, Iraq, Syria, or beyond.
Together over the last 40 years, we’ve welcomed 20,000 refugees to Chicago–including many Ukrainians who now live alongside us as our friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Our hearts ache for their families left in harm’s way.
As always, RefugeeOne stands ready to welcome all those fleeing violence and persecution, no matter where they're from.
Thank you for helping ensure they have a welcoming place to rebuild their lives.
With thanks,
Melineh Kano
Executive Director