FRIENDS OF UKRAINE REFUGEES (FoUR) – 2022 STATUS REPORT
FoUR is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Nonprofit Corporation based in Wenatchee, Washington.
PURPOSE: To Stabilize Refugees from the War in Ukraine who arrive in Central Washington.
INTRODUCTION – On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched a full-fledged war on Ukraine. To address the needs of Ukrainian refugees in Central Washington, volunteers formed Friends of Ukraine Refugees on May 11, 2022. By June 30, the organization was assisting 21 refugee families in Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties. By year end, more than 50 families had settled in Central Washington. As the war continues, refugees continue to arrive. FoUR provides immediate support as we are able.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY – FRIENDS OF UKRAINE REFUGEES
MAY through DECEMBER 2022
INCOME:
Fundraiser Concert $ 22,930
Donations $120,939
State Reimbursement $7,972
Interest 3
TOTAL INCOME $ 151,844
EXPENSES:
Fundraising $50
Website/Admin $6,986
Refugee Support:
Housing $92,686
Necessities $6,788
Education $100
Interpreting $1,085
Welcoming $212
Mileage $98
Immigration $2,279
Total Refugee Support $103,248
TOTAL EXPENSES $ 110,284
NET: $ 41,560
Direct Refugee Support for May-December 2022 was 93.6% of total spending.
SERVICES – FoUR is acting dynamically to assist refugees based on their particular needs using our varied resources. We use donated funds carefully, with emphasis on addressing immediate needs including housing, enrolling children in school, English language learning, and obtaining federal employment authorization.
Our board members are unpaid volunteers, and our administrative expenses are low. Our largest organizational expense in 2022 was website development. We have quickly reached out to financial donors, donors of goods, and volunteers. In May and June, state grant money was used to purchase furniture, clothing, and household goods; to pay the first month, last month, and deposit rent for refugee families; and to retain a Seattle immigration law firm to assume professional responsibility for the completion of 72 individual immigration cases.
More recently, we have tapped the generosity of our community to acquire household items and clothing by donation, thus saving our limited cash to cover rent and utility payments for the 14 refugee families for whom we now pay monthly rent.
Because our organization is based in the greater Wenatchee Valley and to manage our budget limitations, priority has been given to refugees in Chelan and Douglas counties. A newcomer list is maintained to assist new families when current families transition away from our financial support.
PROGRESS – As of December 2022, Friends of Ukraine Refugees is giving financial (rent) support to seven families living in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. We also pay the monthly rent for seven families in Grant County. All Ukraine refugees in Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties are eligible for our free services. However, distance and the language barrier make it more difficult for us to serve families in Grant County.
Four of our local families have one or two adults working now and three other families expect to have work authorization soon. One family no longer needs assistance paying rent. Two more families anticipate being able to pay their own housing expenses within the next three months. As one family moves off our rent rolls, we can add a newly arrived family or one who is struggling to make ends meet.
Twelve children are attending school in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Adults are attending English language classes.
FUNDRAISING – Local businesses and individuals have donated generously. There is pressure for continual fundraising because we have assisted families in obtaining rental leases and we intend to pay the monthly rent until they are able to work and pay for their own housing.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT –
A private donor has paid all the legal and IRS fees, business license, and associated expenses of forming and maintaining our corporation. Our website and other outreach have brought roughly 60 volunteers into our fold. In addition, many local citizens who speak Ukrainian or have personal ties to Eastern Europe are acting as liaisons and interpreters to help us communicate more effectively with the refugees.
Periodically, Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council (“CAC”), has funds for rent payments to keep families in housing. They have worked with us to pay rent for some families in some months.
When reasonable and necessary, we pay for professional interpreting and translation services, for example, client conferences between the immigration attorney and a refugee. Our main professional interpreter donates most of her time.
In December, refugee families received holiday gift boxes. These were filled with donated gifts collected and organized by volunteers with little to no organizational expense.
It is difficult to keep track of all the individuals and organizations sharing their time, talents, and goods to benefit our refugee friends. Here is a partial list: Cashmere Middle School Bike Repair Club; Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council; Grace Lutheran Church; Serve Wenatchee Valley; Slavic Baptist Church of East Wenatchee; First United Methodist Church of Wenatchee; My Girlfriend’s Closet (Women’s Service League of NCW); Wenatchee Senior Center; and the Wenatchee YMCA 7:30 AM Water Exercise Class.
– Report prepared by Suzi Pitts, Volunteer Coordinator for Friends of Ukraine Refugees.