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 have welcomed our first family to Downingtown.
Yuliia and her son Ilarii (5 years old) are from Kamianets - Podilskyi in Ukraine. Yuliia is a teacher and who sought to bring Ilarii to a safe place where he can begin school again.
Yuliia held a ‘Thank You’ celebration for those who have welcomed her and her son Ilarii to the United States and to our parish.
How Can I Help?
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.
If you would like 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.
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 a reprieve for those that have had to flee their homeland due to war. Participants are allowed to and are expected to work while in the United States.