Freedom's Haven

01/23/2025

When Ukrainians began arriving in the U.S. through United for Ukraine, many were eager and ready to work—especially when jobs were already waiting for them.

But they couldn’t.

They were stuck, caught in the web of federal bureaucracy, waiting for permission for employers to hire them.

Thankfully, Freedom's Haven, through its advocacy efforts alongside South Dakota’s federal delegation, took swift action to address this issue.

Together, they streamlined the process, cutting through the delays.

Now, newcomers can start working on day one of their arrival—simply by filing the appropriate work authorization forms.

We are grateful to our delegation in Washington for removing this barrier and making a real difference.

Click the "Learn more" button and donate to help us save lives.

01/22/2025

National and state-level immigration reforms could make a world of difference for South Dakota.

Freedom’s Haven is actively advocating for:

• Extending Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainians by 18 months (which was just accomplished last week)
• Increasing work visas and expanding them to advanced manufacturing and trades
• Streamlining occupational certifications for non-English speakers

These are more than policies—they’re solutions to workforce challenges and opportunities to build stronger communities.

Join us in supporting these critical changes.

Click the "Learn more" button and donate to help us save lives.

01/21/2025

Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, approximately 380,000 Ukrainians have made their way to the United States.

Where have they settled?

Unfortunately, many Ukrainians arrive with misconceptions, equating South Dakota’s smaller cities with Ukrainian rural villages—a perception shaped by their experiences back home.

In Ukraine, rural villages with poor roads and no opportunities abound. Jobs are scarce, prompting many to migrate to bigger cities like Kyiv in search of work.

Consequently, when Ukrainians arrive in America, they carry misconceptions about life in smaller cities, comparing them unfavorably to bustling metropolises like New York and Los Angeles.

The reality, however, is far different.

"California and New York are home to the most Ukrainian-born immigrants, with 57,234 and 74,130, respectively (and New York City alone is home to about 150,000 residents of Ukrainian descent, more than any other U.S. city)." https://buff.ly/409vsA1

But chasing the allure of these big cities often leads to disappointment.

Instead of prosperity, many find exorbitant rent, relentless financial strain, and high crime rates.

Their American dream quickly turns into a nightmare, leaving them feeling isolated, destitute, and longing for their homeland.

“I would tell anyone coming to New York to take off their rose-colored glasses,” Nadvotska said. “You have to work so much just to pay your bills, your living expenses. To get a driver’s license. For a single parent and a child, it’s impossible.” https://buff.ly/40biC47

Meanwhile, South Dakota offers a starkly different story.

"However, South Dakota – where there are substantial Ukrainian communities in Sioux Falls and Rapid City – has the most native Ukrainians as a percentage of foreign-born residents – 4.12%." https://buff.ly/409vsA1

South Dakota’s secret is starting to get out.

Those who take the time to research are discovering that the American dream is alive and well here.

Wise Ukrainians are choosing South Dakota, where opportunities abound, living costs are manageable, and communities are welcoming.

Here, the promise of a better life isn’t just a dream—it’s reality.

Click the "Learn more" button and donate to help us save lives.

In March 2022, about a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, President Joe Biden announced plans for the United States to accept 100,000 refugees fleeing the war in that country. A month after that, the Biden administration said it would launch a program through which American citizens can sponsor Ukr...

01/16/2025

In the search for solutions to America’s affordable housing crisis, there’s much we can learn from Ukraine’s housing market.

One striking difference lies in the relationship between homes for rent versus those for sale.

In the United States, the rental market dominates.

For example, in South Dakota, there are nearly 20 times more apartments available for rent than there are for sale.

But in Ukraine, the exact opposite is true.

For every apartment available for rent, there are four times as many apartments for sale.

This approach creates a housing market with an extraordinary variety of living spaces.

Apartments of every size and price are readily available, ensuring options for people across all income levels—even those with limited financial means.

This vast inventory of homes for sale drives affordability in a way that government programs alone cannot achieve.

Ukrainian developers focus on building to sell, not just to rent.

Construction begins with future buyers in mind, and many homes are marketed before the first brick is laid.

Buyers who commit early often receive discounts, which allows developers to recoup their costs faster—typically in three to five years.

This efficient use of capital means developers can reinvest and build up to three times more inventory in the same time it takes U.S. rental investments to pay off.

The result?

A robust market with abundant options and downward pressure on prices, driven entirely by supply and demand.

Affordable housing isn’t just a concept—it’s a natural outcome of this system.

As we navigate housing challenges here in America, we would do well to examine how Ukraine’s market dynamics foster affordability, choice, and efficiency.

Because when housing works for everyone, communities thrive.

Click the "Learn more" button and donate to help us save lives.

01/15/2025

It’s time we rethink how we build homes.

Living overseas in Ukraine and Europe for over a decade has offered me a fresh perspective.

A perspective that, I believe, America desperately needs.

At our recent Freedom’s Haven leadership summit in October, I shared some thoughts on housing.

I had no idea how timely they would be.

Here in America, nearly 90% of homes are stick-built.

But in Ukraine and much of Europe, steel-reinforced concrete is the standard.

Ukrainians often see stick-built homes as fragile.

They consider them prone to fail in the face of natural disasters.

Their homes are fortified with six-foot concrete or metal walls that surround most properties.

They’re designed not to burn, not to blow away, not to succumb to pests or earthquakes.

Reading about homes that survived the infernos in Los Angeles reminded me of the Ukrainian approach.

David Nielsen’s home, for instance, endured a 1,200-degree firestorm while his neighbors’ homes were reduced to ashes.

The secret?

Stucco, metal, and stone construction.

Clay or metal roofs.

Double-glazed windows that resisted shattering.

And a protective concrete wall.

These features mirror what’s commonplace in Ukrainian and European architecture.

The tragic fires in Los Angeles have awakened many to the need for change.

Building with durable, resilient materials isn’t just wise—it’s imperative.

In South Dakota, we have an opportunity to lead this conversation.

To learn what works from Ukraine and Europe.

And to avoid the pitfalls seen elsewhere, like in California.

It’s time for a shift in how we think about housing.

There’s much to learn from how others live and build.

And the lessons go far beyond materials.

In my next post, I’ll delve into their housing market dynamics and explore what they can teach us about achieving affordable housing.

Click the "Learn more" button and donate to help us save lives.

01/14/2025

- Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Freedom's Haven has focused its efforts on welcoming Ukrainians.

But why Ukrainians?

Beyond the essential humanitarian reasons, they bring extraordinary potential to our state.

Known for their loyalty and work ethic, Ukrainians are valuable contributors to any workforce.

Their presence not only strengthens our industries but also opens doors to future immigration opportunities.

By welcoming them, we enrich our communities with vibrant cultural diversity, foster kindness that ripples through society, and even spark the creation of new businesses.

It’s a collaboration where everyone benefits—a true win-win.

Click the "Learn more" button and donate to help us save lives.

01/11/2025

News Flash: Temporary Protection Status for Ukrainians in the U.S. Extended

Attention all Ukrainians and Employers of Ukrainians

On Jan. 10, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the extension of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months from April 20, 2025, through October 19, 2026.

More information at this link: https://buff.ly/4gPj9A1

Hopefully more good news will follow from the new administration regarding the United for Ukraine program in the coming weeks.

The Department of Homeland Security announced today the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine for 18 months.

01/09/2025

Building a welcoming community takes all of us.

From schools to churches to local organizations, everyone plays a role in helping New Americans feel at home in South Dakota.

We’re creating support networks, identifying resources, and connecting New Americans with others from their home countries.

Together, we can foster a culture of acceptance, support, and growth.

Let’s make South Dakota a place that welcomes the foreigner that belongs in our state.

01/09/2025

Affordable housing is critical for building a stronger South Dakota.

New American workers relocating to our state face hurdles of temporary and permanent affordable housing.

Freedom’s Haven is working to advocate for grants, investors and developers to create housing solutions that benefit both communities and New Americans.

Because when people have a place to call home, they can truly thrive, live the American dream and remain here.

01/07/2025

People ask me all the time what's it's like in Ukraine today. It is far worse now than at the beginning of the war.

"Where the Ruzzians go, darkness follows. Everywhere they go you can feel them..."

"When Sean Pinner was escaping from Kherson he had to go from building to building.

He was in one of the buildings and you would hear the drone and it was like a scene from the Terminator, the beginning of Terminator when it's like in the future and you can see the drone look in all the windows, if the window's blown up it kind of goes in and looks around and he had to hide from the drones.

He's like, dude, it was like super post-apocalyptic kind of like, you know, Terminator, a scene from Terminator.

The feeling of being hunted by a drone above you is unlike anything... "

This is a big reason why I do what I do with Freedom's Haven as I lived in Ukraine for 8 years and escaped when P.utin began his invasion of Kiev.

Please watch some of this video and share this far and wide.

Link in the comments below.

01/03/2025

As we step into 2025, we reflect on a year of progress and collaboration at Freedom’s Haven.

Part of our mission is to educate and bring together leaders from business, government, and communities to address workforce challenges and craft innovative solutions.

This past October, our Leadership Summit at McCrossan Ranch embodied this mission.

We were privileged to hear from organizations like Sanford, representatives from the South Dakota Division of Labor and Regulation, and many other leaders who shared their insights and challenges.

The conversations sparked at the summit laid the groundwork for meaningful change.

2025 promises to be an exciting year as we build on the infrastructure and relationships Freedom's Haven established in 2024.

Together, we will continue expanding our workforce and creating opportunities that make a difference.

Here’s to a year of collaboration, growth, and impact!

12/31/2024

South Dakota faces a growing challenge: nearly 30,000 open jobs and a shrinking workforce as baby boomers retire.

But here’s the truth—legal immigration could be the key to unlocking new opportunities for businesses and communities across our state.

With only 4.3% of our population foreign-born, there’s a wealth of untapped potential.

Freedom’s Haven is committed to bridging this gap by connecting talented, motivated individuals from around the world with employers right here in South Dakota.

Let’s reimagine what our workforce could look like, together.