By Nara Shin

At Spokane Central Library, Thrive International recently had the privilege of hosting a remarkable event, "From Ukraine to Spokane.” In collaboration with Spokane Public Library, we offered Ukrainian immigrants time to share their unique stories with the public. Four inspiring individuals shared their journeys of leaving their homes, which had been impacted by the turmoil of the Russian conflict in Ukraine and their subsequent migration to the United States. Among them, one panelist had immigrated to the U.S. in the 1990s, while the other three had arrived in Spokane just last year and this April.

With 50,000 Slavic population (10% of the city population), Spokane has welcomed refugees from former Soviet Union (USSR) countries starting after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the 1990s, refugees moved to Spokane for affordable housing, options, similar weather to their surroundings, and the establishment of faith communities. Because of the relational connections with Ukrainian refugees and the support system already ready for the Slavic population, a lot of Ukrainians have been able to settle in Spokane 18 months ago.

Boris Borisov, one of our panelists who arrived in the United States from Ukraine in 1992, reflected on the challenges of leaving Ukraine when the Soviet Union underwent massive changes. However, he said there are significant differences between Slavic immigrants in the 1990s and now after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and put an emphasis on the community.

Another panelist Hanna Sylenko said through translator Borisov that in the 1990s, people chose to come to the States, but in her case, she had to flee from the war and danger. She described that she had to pack one bag and leave the house, social networks, support, and resources the next day because of the safety attacks. She said, “I have never seen my home again and never been back since February.”

As Sylenko’s experience shows, the Russian army's presence and the start of war have forced several Ukrainian people to make the difficult decision to leave everything behind in search of safety and a fresh start. Maksym Bedenko said, “What’s happening in reality is one ginormous military power in the heart of Europe is in the path of colonialism and conquest of a much smaller country.”

Despite the vast geographical and cultural differences between Ukraine and the United States, all four panelists shared a common sentiment: America offers a multitude of opportunities and a strong support system for refugees seeking to build a new life. They spoke of the warmth and welcome they received upon arriving in Spokane and how the community's support and love have helped them adjust to their new lives.

Bedenko said, “When we came here, I sensed that we didn't just come to a different country. It felt like we came to a different planet. So, learning the way to live in this country is vastly different. I am very grateful to the American people who showed us a lot of patience because we didn't know the laws, we didn't know the systems, and they were patient with us during this process.”

Bedenko added that he was amazed by the level of support he has received from the community. “America is a big country, big love,” he said. Even the school system proved that Spokane is a welcoming and empowering community. He said through the translator, “In general, the methodology and how you approach children is just vastly different in a good way here in the U.S. [no matter their residential status or national origins].”

Sylenko also struggled in the beginning starting her new journey in the States. It might be simple for people who live here, but it was difficult for her to figure out how to get a driver's license or how to open up a business with a certain credit score. She described that everything was just like water for her and other Ukrainian refugees. However, Sylenko showed her gratitude to local and organizational support, saying, “I don't know what I wouldn't be doing right now if it wasn't Thrive’s work what they do.”

Sylenko couldn’t imagine herself living in a house, her son going to a school, and living a stable life in America before coming here. However, she described the country that it is a land of opportunity, and she was able to find a house to live in and send her son to a school within two months. Beyond grateful, she said, “[My neighbors even] went on a long vacation and left the keys to their house and said, ‘if you need anything while we're gone, please feel free to walk in and take it.’”

Mariia Mykhailenko also said, “Thrive Center was an amazing place where we could stay, myself and my family can feel more comfortable and safe…Schools, store, college, and all time...people [welcomed me] with warmth, acceptance, understanding, and love.”

Regarding the lesson the world should learn through the war in the 21st century, Sylenko emphasized the value of human life compared to the atrocities the Russian has instigated. She said through the translator, “My main point is we need to learn globally speaking to talk to each other as human beings without violence and weapons.”

Mykhailenko also learned that the world is full of kind and open-hearted people. Contrasting the devasting consequences of the conflict, the response to the war was a display of much love and care. Mykhailenko gratefully said, “We, as people from different nations, should not leave each other in trouble. And if possible, help each other adapt to a new place for a new normal life.”

The "From Ukraine to Spokane" event encapsulated the essence of Thrive International's mission: to celebrate diversity and promote unity in our community. It was a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of individuals to overcome adversity with resilience, hope, and the support of a welcoming community.

As we continue our journey at Thrive International, events like these remind us of the importance of fostering an inclusive society by hearing their stories. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the panelists for sharing their stories and to our community for embracing diversity and offering support to those in need.