Facing the Open Road.
Thrive Center Stories: Maksym
by Marshall McLean
Maksym is a 25-year-old Thrive Center resident formerly from Mariupol. Like many others, he fled the war in Ukraine and is making the best of his new life here in Spokane, Washington, where he has lived at Thrive Center since January of this year. We sat down with him to ask him a few questions about his journey to America and where he would like to end up.
The answers have been condensed and rephrased for clarity.
How did you end up at Thrive Center?
I was living in Mariupol when war broke out. We knew people working as local authorities, and they warned us that things would go bad. An hour before, we were able to move to a safer side of the city. We spent three months there in a house living in a basement with my mom, stepdad, two sisters, and two brothers. We then had to go through a series of interrogations with the Russian government that would allow us to leave the city. After passing the sessions, our only way out was through Russia. With the help of relatives and friends, we passed through Belarus and into Russia, where we spent a few weeks, then to the Czech Republic, and on to Germany. From there, our relatives in Spokane sponsored us through the U for U program, which brought us to Thrive Center in January.
What has surprised you most during your time here in the United States?
The systems that care for your cities; it’s interesting to see people cleaning the streets and plowing the snow. In Ukraine, we don’t have services like that. Also, people are a lot friendlier in general.
What is your skill set? What did you do for work in Ukraine?
I was a Co-conductor for cargo trains. Now that I’m here, I’m considering going to school to become a truck driver, but I’m open to trying several different things.
What makes you interested in being a truck driver?
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the money. But it’s also a way for me to explore America and see all the places I’ve never seen, a way to explore and get paid for it.
How long do you think you’ll be here at Thrive Center?
Until I get kicked out by the staff (he says with a smile), but seriously the faster I can learn the language, get a job, and become self-sufficient, I’ll be ready to move on.
Do you feel like staying at Thrive Center has prepared you better to learn the language?
Hearing both languages spoken and being around other people who speak both languages has prepared me better than living elsewhere.