New Glarus community volunteers have recently formed a committee to plan for the arrival of a Ukrainian refugee family to New Glarus. Naming their initiative the "Sunflower Resettlement Pathway" ("SRP"), the committee is planning for a family's arrival and invites the community to lend their moral and monetary support to this important initiative.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, 7.6 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee or been forcibly deported, leaving behind their homes and families. Family members have been split up, others have lost loved ones to the war, and yet others have watched their fathers, sons, and husbands leave for the front lines. These families have witnessed terrible events, death, and destruction, and have suffered incredible trauma. Yet, they have shown incredible resilience and bravery, and simply want to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Especially their children.

Recognizing that New Glarus can't do much, if anything, about this war, SRP knows that it can do something. New Glarus is a community of immigrants, and SRP is confident New Glarus will welcome Ukrainian refugees for as long as they may wish to stay here. The family may stay temporarily, ultimately return home to Ukraine, decide to settle elsewhere, or decide that New Glarus is the perfect long-term home!

So SRP is working with several nonprofits, to facilitate the arrival of a family of four. Incredibly, a local family that winters elsewhere has graciously offered their entire home and a car to the family, for a period of about five months. The host family's generosity makes the challenges of helping to get the family on their feet much lighter.

New Glarus residents Mary Anne and Bill Oemichen are sponsoring the family's arrival. A committee consisting of Nancy Marty, Barb Anderson, Pat Pluss, Mark Janowiak, Anthony Edge, and the Oemichen Family will coordinate the family's arrival and stay in New Glarus. Among other things, SRP will work with the family and community-based organizations to temporarily fund crucial needs, including travel to New Glarus, English lessons, translation assistance, utility and heating expenses, groceries, clothing procurement, recreational needs, school enrollment, medical appointments, children's activities, and transportation. Luckily, family members will be eligible to begin working just as soon as work permits can be procured, enabling them to transition to independence faster.

The 501c3 nonprofit Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) has partnered with SRP to administer an account that will fund these various needs. We know the community, local businesses, and organizations will step up to help, because that is who we are!

If you would like to donate, please send a check labeled "New Glarus Ukraine Relief" to SWCAP, 149 N. Iowa Street, Dodgeville, WI 53533. If you have a PayPal account, you can also go to https://swcap.org/donations, check "Area of Highest Needs," enter dollar amount, click on "add a note," and then type "New Glarus Ukraine relief" in the note box. We will keep the community posted on other ways to get involved as the family's arrival nears.

We hope New Glarus will extend a hearty and welcome "dobre den" to the family, a Ukrainian phrase meaning "hello" or "good day."

Sincerely,

Sunflower Resettlement Project Committee Members: Barb Anderson, Anthony Edge, Mark Janowiak, Nancy Marty, Bill and Mary Anne Oemichen, Pat Pluss

sunflowerresettlement@gmail.com