REACH Humanity

01/24/2024

During our time in Poland we met so many great non profits doing amazing work. We continue to support those we trust to do good for Ukrainians still without a home. Your donations continue to make a difference.

07/25/2023

There are some amazing organizations doing amazing things in Krakow to help the Ukrainian refugee crisis. Fundacja "Jedność" / Громадська організація "Єдність" is one of them! These beautiful strong women have created a very special, ambitious school and community center right in the heart of Old Town. It’s a haven and a safe place for so many, most especially Ukrainian children. We are so proud to have been a part of their special community. Painting 4 stories of classrooms and hallways was no easy feat, but with the help of an army of rotating volunteers from the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and All Hands and Hearts, over several weeks we did it!! Together we can accomplish great things!

We are starting a marathon of gratitude!

This year, there are many people and organizations to whom we would like to say THANK YOU, because their help was very important to us at one time

Many thanks to Lance Foster and Marcee Ballantyne Foster, as well as REACH Humanity for their great help in repairing the premises!

It was very heroic and extremely necessary for the normal functioning of the foundation!

Now we have classes for children and adults in all rooms of our large four-story building.

You are in our hearts 😍

___________________________

Розпочинаємо марафон подяк!

За цей рік є дуже багато людей та організацій, яким хочеться сказати ДЯКУЮ, бо свого часу їхня допомога була дуже важливою для нас

Велике дякуємо Lance Foster та Marcee Ballantyne Foster, а також організації REACH Humanity за велику допомогу в ремонті приміщення!

Це було дуже героїчно і вкрай необхідно для нормального функціонування фундації!

Тепер маємо заняття для дітей та дорослих в усіх кімнатах нашого великого чотириповерхового приміщення.

Ви в наших серцях 😍

05/02/2023

Nastya told us, “As I fall asleep tonight, I’m going to keep pinching myself, like there is no way this isn’t a dream!”

Nastya is known to bake the most beautiful cakes and treats, but she has to mix everything by hand. She never imagined she would ever own her own Kitchen-Aid. She told us that it was her grandmother that first taught her how to bake. Her grandmother is currently in Russia-occupied Ukraine. She hasn’t been able to see her for two years so she makes sure to always send pictures of her cakes to her. We’re so grateful to be able to help Nastya in her growing business as she creates a life here in Poland while the war continues in Ukraine.

04/29/2023

We met Mariana all the way back in September. She was living in a refugee center in Krakow when a man sleeping in a cot by hers showed up one day with a new suitcase. There was a REACH Humanity suitcase tag on it that read, “Never lose hope, we see you, we love you, and we care.” It was written in Ukrainian and had the Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow. Mariana quickly found us on Instagram and messaged us, asking not only for help but also asking how she might be able to help us. She is an English teacher in Ukraine and offered to translate for us. We were so touched that even in the awful situation she was in, she was looking for ways to help those around her. Soon after, we were able to meet her beautiful mother Olena and darling daughter Jumana. Mariana has been a huge help to us these past several months and we have become good friends. When we show up to her shelter with hygiene kits or other aid, she always gathers a few people to help us assemble them and hand them out. Olena always has a huge smile, beautiful words, and big hugs to share. Jumana is quiet but so smart- she can understand everything being said in English even though she says she doesn’t know how to speak it.

The Steele family came to Krakow to see how they could help the Ukrainian people as well. While they were doing so many other things to help, they met Mariana, Olena, and Jumana and quickly became close. Sometimes matches really are made in heaven. Right before the Steele family was returning to the US, Mariana finally agreed to let them sponsor them. Mike and Colette have been busy since they returned to the states, including buying a new house that would be a good fit to have these three ladies come live with them. Mike has worked tirelessly to finish off the basement, creating a beautiful living space for their Ukrainian friends.

This past Tuesday, we were able to see them off. It was a bittersweet moment saying goodbye. It’s hard to explain the bonds that are made in circumstances like these. But we are so happy for the future that lies ahead for these three. And we are deeply grateful to the Steele family for opening up their hearts and home to sponsor a Ukrainian family.

Good luck Mariana, Olena, and Jumana! We love you! And thank you to our donors who make all of this possible!

04/27/2023

As the war continues on, many Ukrainians find that they can not stay in Krakow forever. Some decide to move on, while others choose to return to Ukraine despite the risks. Sometimes the best we can do is provide them with bags, a luxury many can’t afford.

04/23/2023

We were giving out hygiene kits yesterday at a refugee center we just found when one of the women was so excited to see Lance and pulled out her phone to show him a picture. Over a year ago, Lance met them when they had just crossed the border from Ukraine and he bought her a suitcase. The craziest part of this story is that we realized her daughter is now one of the chefs at our non-profit Ukrainian restaurant. Such a small world and a sweet moment for all of us. 🤍

04/22/2023

This older couple is Tamara and Anatoly. He is 86 and was a well known scientist in Ukraine. His wife, who is 82, was also a scientist and taught at the University back in the day. They have been married for 60 years and she still sweetly takes care of her husband. Every day she puts on his shoes and takes them off. The couple left Ukraine over a year ago to escape the war and they were taken in by strangers. Patrick is an American who married a polish woman and they have lived in Poland for over 30 years. I asked Patrick what made him help. He responded, “People wonder what God’s will is and we saw people everywhere that needed help. So we chose to help.” After hosting them for over a year, their situation sadly changed and they could no longer host them.

We thanked the amazing couple for taking care of them and we drove Tamara and Anatoly to a new refugee center outside the city. Although it has amazing views in the country, this small refugee hotel only had one room available on the top floor- 3 1/2 floors up, then half a floor down, and then another half floor up to get to their room. We took them up to their room, watching them struggle the whole way on the stairs. They followed us back down to say goodbye where they told us they’ll just go down for breakfast and stay down until dinner then go back to their room. We gave them hugs and then Tamara reached for my hand, looked into my eyes and started to cry. She said she misses Ukraine and just wants to go home. My heart broke for them so now we’re trying to find them a better situation.

One last story about Anatoly. When he was only 4 years old, Germany occupied his city in Ukraine. His family was starving so he went and took a potato out of a sack. A German soldier saw him and shot him in the knee. Sadly, he came into this world during war and he is having to live through war once again in his last years. We pray it all ends soon and this sweet couple can return to their home and live out their life in peace.

04/20/2023

Never get comfortable. You just don’t know what life will throw at you with all of its twists and turns. Who knows… you might end up across the world stepping in to wash dishes at a non-profit Ukrainian restaurant. Always be ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work. 💪

If you would like to sponsor a meal for a Ukrainian refugee for only $6, donate below!

2 ways to donate:
Reachhumanity.com/donate
Venmo:

04/17/2023

We took a few families to the local amusement park. This little boy and his mother wasn’t able to make it due to him getting sick. Julie Benson was the hero with the big shot. She played basketball in high school and her talents came in handy today.

Lance Foster Marcee Ballantyne Foster Sandee Foster Alen Ruznić Julie Benson

04/16/2023

Ukrainian Easter follows the Orthodox calendar, so their Easter was today! We brought Roshen, which is a classic Ukrainian chocolate, for all of the refugees in one of the local centers here in Krakow. We passed out chocolate eggs to the children and Roshen to the adults. Happy Easter to all of our Ukrainian friends!

04/11/2023

Human connection is everything, especially in times like this.