Thrive Center Stories.
The latest stories from Thrive Center and news from Thrive International.
Soccer Camp with Thrive’s Refugee Youth
By Nara Shin
Thrive’s 2023 Soccer Camp at North Central High School
On the week of June 26, Thrive hosted a four-day soccer camp for immigrant and refugee youth at the North Central High School Field. It was the fourth annual soccer camp full of joy with team matches, snacks, and global food for immigrant and refugee families in Spokane, WA.
The soccer camp provided a wide range of opportunities for skill improvement and interpersonal/ intercultural communication. Thrive’s Youth Empowerment team emphasized enjoyment and camaraderie during the camp, as soccer is a universal sport worldwide.
Therefore, dedicated coaches designed recreational activities and team-building exercises and allocated leisure time for players to socialize and cultivate friendships during the camp. Participants were also invited to enhance their skills in dribbling, participate in shooting contests, and navigate through obstacle courses.
Participants represented 13 countries: Afghanistan, Columbia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Iraq, Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, Russia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine. One hundred and seventy-five immigrant/refugee youth participated during the four days within the age range of 7-21. Campers enjoyed each day practicing basic soccer skills and running for matches. “I am having the best time this week,” said Rimon from Eritrea.
On Tuesday, Officer/Coach Micah and Jen from the Spokane Police Foundation gave the participants a short lesson about safety and how to be better citizens in the community. For the camp, Thrive soccer jerseys, soccer shoes, socks/shin guards, USL jerseys, water bottles, and ice bags were donated and sponsored by local organizations like CHAS Health, PARK, and NorthWest Soccer Ministries. Moreover, volunteers from Life Center, Summit Church, Bethany Presbyterian, First Presbyterian, Valley Real Life, and Kalispel Tribe helped the camp in various ways.
Before the final match, a refugee youth poses with the soccer ball sponsored by PARK.
Thrive’s Youth Empowerment Director Jackson Lino and Assistant Shannon Price organized and led the camp. “The refugee and immigrant soccer camp holds a special place in our community because it celebrates diversity, fosters cultural understanding, and promotes empathy. I believe that by coming together and embracing our differences, we create a more inclusive and equitable society for everyone,” Lino said when asked why this soccer camp is meaningful for him and the community.
In the camp environment, where participants use different languages and grow up in various cultures, campers learn how to foster a multicultural community with love, care, and understanding. One of the campers, a Ukrainian kid, said, “My best new friend is from Syria.”
“When youth join the camp, they’ll experience a warm and welcoming environment where everyone is valued and supported. We hoped to help youth develop skills, boost their confidence, and forge meaningful connections with their fellow participants. I truly believe that by providing this supportive atmosphere, we can enhance the overall well-being and assist our community youth in integrating seamlessly into our vibrant community.”
A refugee youth kicks a soccer ball while backflipping.
The fourth annual soccer camp was wrapped up with a final soccer match on Thursday, June 29. One hundred seven players joined the camp’s finale, and community members joined the night to cheer. After the game, campers, community members, and volunteers enjoyed the Afghan and Indian food supplied by Feast World Kitchen.
Governor Inslee Visits Thrive Center, Reaffirming Thrive’s Commitment to Welcome Refugees.
By Nara Shin
After being welcomed in a traditional Ukrainian greeting, the Governor and his wife pose for a picture with Thrive Center resident, Yulia Boicheva.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee visited Thrive Center on Wednesday, April 5, to meet Thrive residents and refugees in Spokane and learn more about how Thrive International is working to build an inclusive community in Spokane and address the large recent influx of refugees from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
At around 2 pm, people started gathering at the entrance of the Thrive Center to greet Gov. Inslee. The Center, packed with photographers, news reporters, Thrive residents, staff, and refugees from Afghanistan, Congo, Thailand, and Ukraine (refugees from each population we serve), waited in anticipation in the lobby.
When Gov. Inslee entered the Center, Yulia Boicheva, a Ukrainian refugee wearing a traditional Vyshyvanka dress, held Korovai – a customary Ukrainian bread symbolic of blessing and gratitude–to greet him. She said, “Welcome to Thrive Center. Thank you so much for welcoming our people and our nation to your state. Washington State became a safe home to us. We are thankful for all the support and assistance we have received. The bread and salt symbolize the hospitality of the Ukrainian people. Dearest guests are always greeted with bread and salt. Thank you for visiting us today.”
While touring inside Thrive Center, Gov. Inslee stopped to admire the mural painted by a Ukrainian resident, Yelyzaveta Shchukina, a painter from Odesa. Full of blue sky and sunflowers, Shchukina told the Governor that her drawing symbolizes peace between Ukraine and the United States of America through the symbolism of colors in the Ukrainian flag and a Bald Eagle in the sky.
The Governor and his wife pose in front of the mural painted by Thrive Center resident, Yelyzaveta Shchukina.
Throughout the visit, Gov. Inslee and Thrive’s Executive Director Mark Finney toured the Center’s event rooms, resident halls, and the main lobby.
After the tour, Gov. Inslee sat with refugees, board members, and community leaders to have lunch and discuss how Washington State is working for refugees and immigrant programs. Gov. Inslee shared his recent story of meeting President Zelenskyy and being inspired to continue to welcome refugees from Ukraine.
Governor Inslee eats lunch at the end of his tour of Thrive Center.
“He [President Zelenskky] was amazingly optimistic and very encouraging. What it meant to me is he believes we’re going to prevail in this conflict, and he’s already thinking about how to rebuild. He asked us to provide the investment necessary to do that; rebuilding. It was encouraging because it shows that he was optimistic about the ultimate revolution. And I think he should be optimistic, partly because I believe the United States will also continue to be. I told him you should be confident that America will stand with you.”
With the significant Ukrainian refugee population in the state, Gov. Inslee was proud of Washington state, and all the efforts that Thrive and other non-profit organizations for refugees were making. He said, “We have been blessed by refugees, and we intend to continue these efforts in every way that we can. So I want to thank you for joining our state.”
Empowering Refugee Youth to Thrive.
Thrive Center Stories: Shannon
By Nara Shin
Shannon Price is Youth Empowerment Assistant at Thrive Center. Shannon recently graduated from college and started her new journey with Thrive International to empower refugee youth groups in the Spokane community. Today, we talked to Shannon to learn more about her journey and passion for her job empowering refugee youth.
How would you describe the culture at the Thrive Center?
I'm incredibly proud to work here. And that's because of our staff; they're more than willing when you ask anyone for help. They also live out their values and are passionate about serving and trying to mobilize this community within this building, the larger Spokane community, their families, their friends, and their churches. I also watch these adults live out their joy and talent differently. And seeing it benefit this community is like, "wow, like this actually happens." The staff, I think, is probably what inspires me the most but then as a part of this community.
What is your favorite part about working at the Thrive Center?
My favorite part about my job is getting to speak with the youth and just being a listening ear to them. I think it brings me joy to know that I can make someone feel heard. Listening to their issues allows me to understand better and then also have more fun building trust and joy in ourselves by sending each other TikToks or whatever it is. I think that's the joy that I have. My favorite part of my job is to watch them grow, feel more comfortable in themselves, and get excited about their futures. That's what I am looking for.
What is an unforgettable memory with kids you have had at the Thrive Center?
I think the one that sticks out is the soccer camp last year when Thrive International had just started. We didn't even know that we had a budget until the last minute, and then we found out that it was a huge budget. Then, we put together a soccer camp working with USL Spokane, which connected us to Park USA, which donated 100 carbon-neutral soccer balls. The USA military women's team came and played with us, which is a moment I will never forget. I saw all of these scrimmages happening when these women had already learned the names of these kids whom I was still mixing. They're like, "go get it, go get it," encouraging them. That was so cool to see.
How has working at the Thrive impacted your life?
Mark (executive director) is a great example of someone who has taken the time to get the right education and build the right relationships. He knows what he's doing. But he also is crazy because he's always willing. I think I've learned that if you're willing to put the work in, and you have a team of people willing to put the work in, there's a great chance that something amazing will happen. I grew up volunteering at the food pantry, but I never saw a community coming together and solving an urgent need. And so it's awesome to watch that happen and be a part of it through the amazing example. And I hope that I get to be a part of that happening for the rest of my life.
Why do you think Thrive is meaningful in the community?
Thrive is meaningful because we are an example of a community responding to a need and solving it as a community. When I was still over there to learn about the right people and community involvement, I realized using the connections like USL has happened here. Doing all of these things and building connections allowed Thrive to be what it is and be impactful in the community.
What do you hope for in the future regarding these refugee kids and the Ukrainian-Russian war that is happening right now?
I really hope for our youth programs here. Most kids are from Sub-Saharan Africa because we're heavily connected to a Swahili-speaking church. I hope to see more kids involved in the program long term. It can be those who have come from Ukraine or have been displaced by the war. I'm excited to see those kids grow long-term. That's my hope. I hope that as the youth program continues, as we have more diverse members, kids are empowered and look at their future with bright eyes instead of despair.
Want to show a refugee that you’re on their team?
Translating Stories of Hope
Thrive Center Stories: Anna (Assistant Manager at Thrive Center)
By Nara Shin
Anna Bondarenko is the Assistant Manager of Thrive Center. Coming to Spokane as a refugee in her younger life, Anna has used her background and bilingual skills to serve the Thrive community since June 2022. Today, we met Anna to talk about her journey in joining the Thrive International team and her experience at Thrive Center as the assistant manager.
How would you describe your role at the Thrive Center as an Assistant Manager?
Anna: I assist the general manager and take the role of communication in our house. I am the one who hears resident issues and problems most of the time. I manage the waitlist and move-in/move-out process and coordinate with people once available rooms are ready.
What has your journey looked like before becoming a part of Thrive International?
Anna: When I was nine, my parents brought me to Spokane. I come from Kyrgyzstan, but I am ethnically Ukrainian. My father's family was exiled from Ukraine into Kyrgyzstan during or after World War Two because of religious persecution and beliefs.
When I was 17, my first job was as a receptionist at World Relief. So I've been in the refugee world for many, many years. And so I worked for World Relief for about ten years and returned to school. Then I was the director of refugee connections for about two to three and a half years. And then, I went overseas as a missionary for a year and a half in the Czech Republic. I was working with Russian-speaking people because I didn't have time to learn the culture and the language, but I could impact the people I could relate to the most.
I returned to a place where I belong; to a setting where I belong—helping refugees. Empowering refugees: I know it's my destiny.
Anna Bondarenko, Assistant Manager at Thrive Center
After I went to the Czech Republic, I returned, and for about five years, I was entirely out of the refugee world. I worked for Spokane Transit Authority. Then I did another public service job, not related to refugees at all. And then the Ukrainian conflict began - when people started crossing the border - I became a part of the Ukrainian Relief Coalition (URC). The URC was just a bunch of us young adults who had our jobs and personal lives. We came together to address this crisis because there were no organizations that provided services for the people who were crossing the border. And so that meant that we became a virtual resettling agency. I love people. So I could call up many people and be like, "hey, what do we do here? How do we do that? What do we do?" to build better environments for Ukrainian refugees.
Then, Thrive happened, and so many things developed in my life. I returned to a place where I belong; to a setting where I belong—helping refugees. Empowering refugees: I know it's my destiny. My calling like this has been confirmed because I've been off a little bit doing other things and learned that this is what I want to do.
In which way do you think your background as a refugee impacted your life or changed your perspective?
Anna: My background has allowed me to be brave. I'm not afraid to ask difficult questions because of how I was raised and the questions I needed to address in my family, so I'm not afraid of asking difficult questions. I'm confident in giving answers to complex questions. My experience here has taught me how to say ‘no’ because of how I've struggled. I'm saying ‘no’ because I've been more of a helper in my life. But my role now - I have to know how to gauge helping and saying no so that I can set boundaries while helping others.
I am the oldest of my siblings. I was the first person who learned the English language. So I have been the tongue of my family for many years as the oldest refugee kid. My father speaks English, but my mother -not so much. I was young, but I was placed in a position of resolving and solving everybody's issues for my family. I remember when I was 11, but my dad took me to his mortgage meeting, and I was the interpreter. Also, I translate lots of things for my grandmother and all their stuff regarding business. So all of this - being part of everybody's business - has given me the tools to be successful in what I'm doing now. I'm doing the same thing I've been doing for my family for many years.
I want to empower these people to function as individuals because I want to take on the shield and maybe take on things that refugee parents would rely on their kids for because I don't want their kids to be part of that. Because honestly, I didn't have a childhood. I was always responsible for things for my family because they did not speak English well. So in my position now - if I can take off that burden of these kids - I want to. I want to empower the parents and be like, "Hey, go to school. Hey, you know how to do this. Okay?”
What do you enjoy the most while working at the Thrive Center?
Anna: People. Meeting people. I just love people. And we have so many different people here at Thrive Center. And you constantly have to change whenever the vibes change in the group. When people change, their attitudes and expectations change. I love that. It's frustrating sometimes too, but I love the vibrancy of individuals in the center.
Anna with Lidia Pauline (General Manager at Thrive Center).
Why do you think Thrive is meaningful to the Spokane community and you?
Anna: Thrive can assess the situation, figure out an answer, and resolve it quickly. And so this is why it's beautiful because we're able to - you know - cover the gaps that were missing as far as refugees' affordable housing or just temporary housing; because it's always been an issue. It's also beautiful because we are here to empower. We're living our mission. We are empowering people, helping people, and helping people from surviving to thriving. Theory can get you far, but action can get you further. This is why Thrive is beautiful because here in Spokane, we're not only using theory, but we're putting it into action. I'm excited to be part of Thrive because I am a doer.
What is one incident or story in the Thrive Center you would never forget?
Anna: Well, there are so many stories because the vibrance of people is so different, and there's always somebody coming to share a specific piece of their story of a life that impacts me differently: little children, a grandpa who sweeps the parking lot because he wants to, and little videos parents send me when kids are having fun. However, I do have one story that I vividly remember.
I had a resident just in the summer, and when she walked in, I made this comment like, "Welcome to our house!" And she said something along the lines of, "No, this is the ark, the ark of salvation." That, for me, was like, whoa, like, I never thought of it that. It was a resident who came from a war zone - she had tears in her eyes - and I thought, This is so beautiful because it's true. It's like the ark of hope. It's the ark of a possible future. It's like this building in the middle of a city where people hold their hopes, desires, and dreams.
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Thrive Center Stories: Mykola and Mariia
By Nara Shin
Mykola and Mariia have been residents of Thrive Center since November 2022. With their daughter attending school, they opened a new chapter of their lives here in Spokane, WA. Today, we met them and heard their stories of coming to the States after they left home in Horodyshche (Городище), Ukraine.
It’s been almost exactly a year since the war started. Could you retrace your steps and give us a few key points along the way to your arrival at Thrive Center?
Mariia:
On the morning of the 24th of February, 2022, my husband (Mykola) and I were working in Poland, and we were scheduled to come back to Ukraine on the 27th. Our daughter (who is 13) was still in Ukraine with her grandma (my mom), and we were hoping to see her soon. We came to work on that day and heard people talking about how the war had started. Our daughter called us the night before the war started and also warned us about what she was seeing on social media, but we just thought that she was joking. War in 2022? That’s crazy and impossible. This is what I thought, and I never knew that she was right. After the war began, I wanted to go back home (Ukraine) to get my daughter, but because of the lines of cars and gas shortage, I had to wait 2 weeks before I could return to Ukraine to pick up our daughter. I finally arrived in Ukraine and met my daughter. I came back to Poland with her and stayed there until November 2022.
Mariia, how did you feel when you were on your way back to Ukraine for two weeks to get your daughter?
Mariia:
My feelings were full of fear. What if I don’t get there in Ukraine? I just relied on God and felt that it was all gonna be good.
How did you end up coming to America? Why did you not stay in Poland?
Mykola:
I got reconnected with a former childhood acquaintance, and he invited us to Spokane which was through the U for U program. This was on Nov 22, 2022. I have always wanted to come to America and live here, so I thought that it would be a great opportunity for me and my family.
How is your life in Spokane, WA?
Mykola:
It’s okay. We’re getting used to it.
Mariia:
Our daughter loves living here. We are really happy.
What challenges have you faced while adjusting to life in America?
Mariia:
We are still overcoming difficulties, but we are getting a lot of help from Thrive Center. Many people help us and check in on us. The majority of information we have received is from people like staff and people here at Thrive Center.
Mykola:
The people who sponsored our program visa were not close to us. They guided us here to Spokane and introduced us to Thrive Center, but that was all. We don’t have a close relationship. However, Thrive Center has offered a close relationship to us, and they’ve become family to us.
What’s the biggest cultural difference that you’ve noticed about America?
Mariia:
There are a lot of kind people. We walk into a store, and it seems like they are a good distance from us, they always say “Excuse me,” or “Sorry” to pass us. We have not really dealt with stereotypes, but we have good memories here because of the kind people.
What’s the next step that you want to achieve?
Mariia:
Three steps. Learn English.
Mykola:
Find a job.
Mariia:
Buy a house.
What do you hope for people here to learn more about the situation in Ukraine?
Mariia:
I hope nobody could feel what we have felt and gone through. War should never be the reality of people here.
What to support refugees like Mariia and Mykola? Click below to send resources from our Amazon wishlist or give financially.
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.
Help us continue to provide a place for refugees like Maksym to thrive.
One year’s time: Residents at Thrive Center hold a prayer vigil at the clock tower for Ukraine.
By Nara Shin
On Friday, Feb 24, a Spokane crowd gathered to pray for peace in Ukraine and remember the first anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian war in front of the Clocktower in Downtown Spokane.
Boris Borisov introduced the Ukraine Relief Coalition (URC) and why he initiated Prayer for Ukraine at the beginning of the event. Borisov said, “because prayer is the most powerful weapon,” he wanted to gather with Ukrainian refugees, helping organizations, resettlements, and Spokane churches.
Following Borisov’s introduction, Thrive International’s Executive Director Mark Finney shared how Thrive International has worked with Ukrainian refugees at Thrive Center. Finney emphasized that it has been about 40 years since Spokane began receiving Slavic refugees, but the community needs to put more effort into creating a more welcoming surrounding.
Mark Finney, Executive Director of Thrive International
Finney said, “We’re gonna be here as a whole community to welcome as many Ukrainians as we need to welcome for as long as we need to welcome them until peace allows all of us to live in peace whether we’re in Spokane or Ukraine or anywhere else.”
Local residents and refugees show their support for Ukraine.
Thrive International’s Cultural Integration Event Coordinator, Pastor Vladimir Kronin, shared his prayer with the crowd. Coming to Spokane as a Ukrainian himself, Kronin shared his gratitude for the gathering and opportunity to ask God for peace in Ukraine. “Today, we’re praying that you will bless Ukraine and bring peace to this country. Reestablish your peace. We are praying for people that you would bring them peace in their hearts. Lord Jesus, do more than we ask,” he prayed.
During and at the event’s closing, Pavel Zolotarev invited people to sing Slavic songs with the public. People waved Ukrainian flags and signs like “Stop the War” and sang songs in the Slavic language. One man went up to the stage with the Ukrainian flag, and others shouted, closed their eyes, or smiled while the music played.
Alexandr Kaprian, a pastor at Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Church and a refugee himself, said, “In order to stop the war, we need to pray for [the government and presidents] so that they can maybe talk to them. ‘Hey guys, it’s time to stop it. That’s more than enough now.’ We have to pray about it - for transitions and transformation.”
Kaprian prayed, “Lord, You look to see this war that people are tired of. How many people have died? They are our brothers and sisters. We need Your help for today. We’re crying to you. We are crying, Lord, help us, touch the hearts of people who can fix it, [only you] can sit down and solve this problem without killing thousands of people; we ask You today, please send peace to Ukraine.”
After the prayer, Tanya Wann, a member of the Ukraine Relief Coalition, shared stories of volunteers in Ukraine and updates on the mainland. Wann thanked the Spokane community for the humanitarian aid: about 10,000 pounds of medical supplies, non-perishable food, hygiene items, and clothes. She also shared how volunteers in Ukraine faced difficulties in the war. With an emphasis on collective effort, attention, and prayers for peace in Ukraine, Wann concluded her message by asking for continuous hope in the mainland.
Thrive International continues to pray and advocate for Ukraine and reflect on the first anniversary of the invasion. We are grateful for the opportunity to welcome refugees at Thrive Center as we remember the victims who have lost their lives during this ongoing conflict.
“Closer to My Dream”.
Thrive Center Stories: Nataliia
By Nara Shin
Nataliia is a Thrive resident who came from Rivne (Рівне) to Spokane at the end of April. She works at a local hospital and a community college while staying in the Thrive Center. We talked with Nataliia today to learn more about her journey to the States and her new life in Spokane, WA.
How long have you been at the Thrive Center?
I was home in Ukraine until the end of April, and then my sister and I had to flee to Poland. I came here alone to meet my auntie who lives in Liberty Lake, but I am now here. I got an invitation from my auntie about two weeks before coming to the States, and I decided to come, but my parents and other family members are still there in Ukraine.
Do you have work authorization? Are you working anywhere?
Yes. I came here through the Uniting for Ukraine program. I applied twice for the program. I got into the program in two weeks, which was very fast. I work full-time in service work at a hospital. And then, maybe a month ago, I got an offer for tutoring at the Spokane Community College, and I am currently working there as a tutor.
What kind of tutoring is that?
It’s an ESL tutoring program. English was my second language in Ukraine, so I was always interested in learning English. In Ukraine, I worked in primary and secondary schools to teach English to first to ninth-grade students who spoke English as their foreign language.
Is there anything familiar in Spokane that makes you feel somewhat close to home, or is it a new environment?
When I entered the center for the first time, I felt like I was at home because so many people there were like me. I felt like I was in some kind of resort because of the people and the Ukrainian culture. People in the Thrive Center and my coworkers in the college are also so nice to me. They make me feel at home. People at my work are always curious about what I have experienced and empathize with my experience.
What do you like about Spokane?
I like Manito Park here in Spokane and the friends I’ve made since I’ve been here. People are friendly, and they make me happy.
What is your career wish?
I want to be an ESL teacher. I learned English at my college in Ukraine, and since then, I have always wanted to be an English teacher. I like to see the process of people learning English - when they couldn’t start speaking English at all but learn to say small words and be able to complete a whole sentence - I feel happy to see the process of learning.
Have you ever thought of coming to America to achieve your dream?
I used to dream of living somewhere in the world where the mountains are. I dreamed of coming to America to visit my relatives. But I was scared to dream big because [dreams can come true]. Now, I am here. I am grateful and happy that I am closer to my dream.
Coming from Ukraine to America, you’ve dealt with significant changes in your life. What was the process of change like for you?
Oh, it was so different. I saw big differences even from the airport because of the different cultures, but the people were so nice. Thinking about things that were [hard to get used to]: so many people are walking around [in Ukraine getting where they need to go], but everyone in America uses cars and drives. Also, I had to study more and learn about measurements like Fahrenheit. It was so hard for me to [adjust] here in the beginning, feeling homesick all the time.
How are your family members back home?
There was one day that shocked me. My mom is a primary school teacher. So, she was in school one day, and I called her, and she said there were some [airplanes flying by] at that time. I was so frightened. I just almost ran out and told them to go home. It was a terrible day because I realized that I couldn’t help with anything. I hope they are doing fine.
Why did your parents decide to stay in Ukraine?
My mom will never leave my dad alone, and my dad said he wouldn’t go anywhere because it’s his home.
Are you satisfied with your life here in America?
I have some goals, [but I am still deciding which ones I can achieve]. I am grateful for all I have been given here. I feel happy and safe.
What do you hope people understand about the situation in Ukraine?
I want people to know how friendly we Ukrainian people are. People can judge us by appearance, but we are not crazy or rude. We’re just not used to smiling at someone new. Patients and coworkers smile at me at work with sweet words, and I am learning every day [to adjust to this new culture]. Our culture does not smile much, and I don’t want them to assume we are unfriendly. I am still friendly.
Thrive Center provides transitional housing and programming aimed at helping refugees like Nataliia achieve their dreams. Click below to continue to provide shelter for local refugees.
Coping with the Changes
two high-schoolers adjust to their new school and new life in America.
Thrive Center Stories: Alina and Michael
by Nara Shin
High school students and Ukrainian refugees Alina and Michael are staying in the Thrive Center in Spokane, WA, where they call their new home.
Alina is 14 and moved to the United States from Mariupol, Ukraine, in April 2022 and has been staying at Thrive Center since July. 15-year-old Michael is from Kyiv, Ukraine, and came to Spokane in November 2022. Alina and Michael met while staying at Thrive Center and now attend Lewis and Clark High School as freshmen. Today, we talked with them to learn about their stories and how they are adjusting to a new life at the Thrive Center and school.
Alina and Michael; high school students at Lewis and Clark High School and residents at Thrive Center.
How did you first decide to leave Ukraine?
Alina: I have my relatives here, and they invited me and my family to come here.
Michael: I have a family who lives in Sandpoint, ID, and I came here because they live close to here, and there is a place where a lot of Ukrainian people live.
How’s school life for you?
Alina: I like English and Geography classes the most because I like the teachers.
Michael: I love math and PE class. I especially like playing basketball.
Alina: I don’t enjoy PE class much. Michael runs a half mile for 3 minutes, but I take so long, and I hate it. I am not a sporty girl.
How is American-school life different from the life you had in Ukraine?
Alina: I think my Biology class is so hard. I learned science in the Ukrainian language, and the sizes of words are different, too. My teacher who helps me with my English tries to help me a lot, but it is too difficult for me. I also think American friends at school are more introverted than my friends back home, so it is hard for me to make friends.
Michael: Learning English is difficult.
What do you like about the United States?
Alina: I think here America has more opportunities for students like scholarships. My friends have a hard time getting scholarships back in Ukraine, but here I have more opportunities.
Michael: People smile a lot. They make me feel good and happy. I think it’s a good thing.
What do you hope people understand about the situation in Ukraine?
Alina: A lot of people at my school know that I am from Ukraine. At least I hope they know at this point. But some people asked me, “Does your dad fight in the war?” when he does not. When my friends think of Ukraine, they only think of wars. We do have other good cultures, food, and people too. I hope they know other things about Ukraine, too.
What kinds of stereotypes do you face from your friends?
Alina: In America, people smile a lot. In Ukraine, we don’t. You don’t smile at strangers. I mean, why? I tried hard to smile hard as people here do, but still, people think that we, Ukrainian people, are not friendly but cold. So, they don’t come and talk to me because they think I don’t smile much. Sometimes, I feel lonely at school and miss my friends back in Ukraine. Just because I don’t smile doesn’t mean I’m not a friendly person!
What do you hope for in the future?
Michael: I want to go to college. I don’t know what to study yet, but I like science-related subjects. Also, I love animals. I have done bow hunting when I was in Ukraine. I don’t know whether I can hunt here, but I would love to try hunting in nature around Spokane.
Alina: I have a lot of dreams. For now, I don’t know what I will be in the future. I want to be an architect, but I have to do the math to be an architect, so I don’t know whether I can be one. But I also want to be a lawyer because I like arguing. I am interested in graphic design as well.
Coping with the changes of a new life at Thrive Center, Alina and Michael have experienced both difficulties and happiness in their journeys in America. Nevertheless, they find joy and positive energy from their friend groups and grow every day.
Click below to support Thrive Center and refugee students like Alina and Michael.
Thrive International Gets National Spotlight with Dennis Quaid.
A film crew visited Thrive Center this Wednesday to film an upcoming corporate documentary featuring the work of Thrive International. The short five-minute feature will air on Viewpoint, a nationally syndicated program on PBS, late this Spring. Viewpoint is hosted by Dennis Quaid, who you might remember from movies like 'Frequency,' 'The Rookie' and 'The Day After Tomorrow.' His show features a variety of innovative organizations and out-of-the-box thinkers who are finding solutions to problems unique to their industry.
The producers of Viewpoint selected Thrive after hearing about their unique approach to the Ukraine refugee crisis: using spaces like vacant hotels to offer temporary housing and programming solutions - a collaboration of community members, faith groups, and state government.
Actor Dennis Quaid, current host of Viewpoint, a series documenting inovative solutions in industries and organizations.
The film crew interviewed three people to gain different perspectives of the organization: Executive Director Mark Finney, refugee advocate Boris Borisov, and a current resident at Thrive Center, Mariia. As two key operators of the development team, Finney and Borisov shared Thrive Center's mission, work, and programs. From a resident's perspective, Mariia explained the impact that Thrive Center and the Spokane community have had on her and her daughter's lives.
Mariia, a current resident at Thrive Center.
When asked why Viewpoint's documentary is important for the community to hear about, film crew member Nick Swoboda, emphasized the need to inform the Housing First Model to support needy families. "It's remarkable to see this - it works, and it works the best in the Thrive Center."
“This short documentary will be ‘an elevator pitch’ to anyone interested in helping refugees. It will talk about how Thrive International is finding local solutions to a global crisis.”
Communications Director for Thrive International Marshall McLean said, "[Thrive Center is] an innovative solution to the refugee crisis. This short documentary will be 'an elevator pitch' to anyone interested in helping refugees. It will talk about how Thrive international is finding local solutions to a global crisis." With an email list of over a million people and local and national PBS-affiliated television networks, Viewpoint is perfectly positioned to share Thrive's story with audiences likely to resonate with their message.
McLean added, "The documentary will communicate with people who know little about us and people who would be excited to hear about us for the first time. We're getting nationally recognized. It's exciting!"
Viewpoint editors will finish their edits after four to six weeks, and Thrive's episode on Viewpoint is tentatively set to air in the Spring.
Stay tuned!
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Thrive Center Stories: Max
Max and his family are beginning a new life in America, and Thrive Center is one step in their journey.
On February 24th, Max and his wife woke up abruptly. There were loud bangs, and the building they lived in was shaking at its foundation. The city was reverberating with explosions. In the distance, they could see smoke and flames rising along the edges of the eastern skyline. For many Ukrainians, the rumors of war had been on the horizon for a long time. Still, no one believed that the day would happen, but staring out the window, the horror of war began to come into focus. Kharkiv, a cultural hub of art and industry and home to the sprawling Freedom Square, was under attack.
Grabbing what few belongings they could fit into their car, they scooped up their 2 small children, still sleeping in bed, and drove to the nearest gas station, only to find that nearly every family in the city of 1.5 million people was doing the same thing. After waiting over 2 hours, they filled up and began their journey west. They planned to leave the country and move toward Finland, where they had a close relative. However, short distances do not equal quick travel in times of war. They spent days navigating toward the nearest border. On the long drive west, they reflected on the many things they left behind. Max owned a barber shop (which they wondered if it was still standing), and they were an integral part of a church congregation that they wondered if they’d ever see again. Thankfully their young children slept through many parts of the trip; still too young to understand the seriousness of the situation, and that was a blessing to parents doing their best to hide their own fear.
damage done to a building in Kharkiv after the Russian invasion.
The eeriest part of their journey, Max says, was the night they finally got out past the traffic, taking back roads through the countryside; where they would typically have seen the lights from the nearby cities, there was only deep darkness due to power outages. On this same night, driving fast, Max suddenly came upon a military tank with no reflectors parked in the middle of the road. With no time to stop, he swerved and missed it by inches, avoiding a severe accident. “There were so many things to be thankful for,” he says while thinking about those first few days.
“I don’t know much English,” Max says, “doing his best to choose the words from the ones he knows carefully, “but I think the word is ‘lucky.’ Even from the first day of the war, I knew that there was somewhere else that we could go, but for many people in my city, I know that they had nowhere else to go.”
Traffic jams stretching for miles outside Ukrainian cities were common in the days after the Russian invasion.
When they finally crossed the border, Max and his family, like many others in the early days, chose to travel to Mexico, where they could cross the border with humanitarian parole status. (In the months after, President Biden would announce the U for U program, allowing a person from the United States to sponsor a Ukrainian family member and grant them two years of humanitarian parole via air travel.) Crossing the Tijuana border, they headed north to Spokane to meet Max’s family, including his parents, who had moved to the US several years before. That’s how he and his family heard about Thrive Center. After spending a few months living with a family member, Thrive Center was the perfect place for Max and his family to have a room, independence, and some time to plan their next move.
“The thing that I want people to understand about Ukrainian people is that we do not like to be helped. We are hard workers who want to work. It is good that we get so much help and support, but I can’t do that forever.”
Max shares about the support he and his family received at Thrive Center during the Thrive Center grand opening in June, 2022/
This desire for independence is why Max and his family moved out after two months of staying at Thrive Center; they felt like others needed it more. After finding an apartment with the help of a relative (another thing that he reflects on as ‘lucky’), Max and his wife are looking toward an American future. When I ask him if he will ever return to Ukraine if the war stops, he says, “no, we are here forever; this is our home now. Even if the fighting stops, it will never be safe. There will be bombs and weapons left over that people will be finding for years. That is not a safe place for a family.”
Max is now eagerly awaiting his work authorization to cut hair legally in Spokane and work toward his own shop like he once had in Kharkiv. His wife and son attend English classes and are connecting with people eager to help.
“One thing that has surprised me is how many people from the United States who have helped us. As soon as we got to the border from Ukraine, there were people telling us what to do and where to go. When we go to Mexico, Americans were telling us what to do and then coming to Spokane - again - people who helped us. It has been difficult, but we have had a lot of help.”
When I asked him if he had one thing to say about Thrive Center, he said, “It is a good place, good people who care - I don’t know the word - maybe the word is ‘sacrifice’? The people there gave a lot to make a place for us.
Thrive Center Stories: Anya
Anya and her family are a few of the 170 residents at the Thrive Center in Spokane, Washington.
They are from Mariupol, Ukraine.
Soon after the Russian invasion, Mariupol's population of 430,000 dropped to 100,000 within weeks. Anya, her husband Michael, and two young sons Yelysei and Gabriel were part of that exodus. When all the stores in the city shut down almost overnight, including gas stations and grocery stores, they realized that Mariupol was no longer safe for families. It was painful to leave their hometown; they were business owners and had built a house with their own hands, never thinking they would have to leave it behind.
Loading what they could take in their car, they set out for a neighboring city, hoping there would be a working gas station to fuel their journey out of the country. Passing active military zones and hearing explosions in the distance, they drove past burning vehicles on the side of the road and watched as their gas gauge slowly fell to empty. They prayed they could make it out of the war zone before running out of gas.
Thankfully, they coasted into the next small town and were able to refuel and prepare for the journey. Military curfews restricted night travel, and traffic jams stretched between cities, allowing them only to cover around 100 miles per day as they inched toward western Ukraine. On one part of their journey, they spent 36 hours stuck in sprawling traffic, barely moving.
Finally, they arrived in Chernivtsi, where they met a family who welcomed them into their home for a short time. Although this was an answer to their prayers for safety, they knew they couldn't stay for long; they began to plan to get out of the country. Anna and the children would head to Germany while her husband would stay behind and volunteer with relief efforts until he could join them.
“We had everything until the war came to our country and our city.”
-Anya
Making another difficult decision, they parted ways. The road to Germany was challenging for Anna. The icy and congested roads left her cold and tired. Her children got sick; her youngest cried continually from the back seat with a fever. She had been awake for three days when she finally reached the German border. Now alone with two sick children and no way to communicate, Anya felt isolated and adrift; and afraid for her husband's safety. For the next three weeks, she waited on word from Michael and watched the news as her city and country continued to unravel.
Michael finally met them in Germany but had brought a friend with him. While volunteering in Ukraine, he met an American also doing relief work. Michael told him the story of his wife and two children waiting for him in Germany, hoping to get to the United States. Being moved by their story, the American bought plane tickets for Michael, Anya, and her children.
In the early days of the war, there was no direct route into America for Ukrainian refugees. Instead, many Ukrainians came to Mexico. From there, they could cross the border on humanitarian parole, which Anya and her family did.
After long flights from Germany, Madrid, and eventually Mexico City, they made their way to Tijuana, where American volunteers met them, many of them former Ukrainian immigrants. From the Mexican border, they traveled to Spokane, where they would find shelter and assistance at Thrive Center.
Anya’s son, Yelysei plays at Thrive Center.
At Thrive Center, Anya and her husband were finally able to rest. They could finally process the mental, physical and spiritual toll the journey had taken on them and be with others who had traveled just as far with similar stories, stories that were about surviving the best they could while on the run.
Now at Thrive Center, Anya's family doesn't have to simply 'survive'; they can thrive. Although far from their house in Ukraine, they are closest to home than they've been since the war began.
Dedicating a Place of Refuge: The Grand Opening of Thrive Center
Written by Violetta Tsyukalo
This past Saturday, several hundred Spokane residents gathered to witness Thrive Center’s grand opening! The local fire department and law enforcement, alongside Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, arrived to demonstrate their support. Booths selling Ukrainian merch to fundraise humanitarian aid efforts abroad were set up, and a bouncy castle for kids was lined alongside the hotel.
The official opening ceremony featured vocal and saxophone performances as well as a choir performance from local Slavic musicians. Boris Borisov and Mark Finney explained the expedited process of the grant that Ukrainian refugees received.
Mark Finney and Boris Borisov share the story of obtaining the hotel and grant.
Sean Kings from Fortify Holdings presented a generous donation to the Ukrainian Closet, a free clothing and furniture story for refugees. Lisa Brown, director of Washington State Department of Commerce and Spokane County Commissioners Al French, Mary Kuney, and Josh Kerns welcomed the refugees to Spokane “You are in our hearts and prayers.”
The event finished with local pastors from the region gathering on stage to pray over the new refugees, and for an end to the war abroad.
Maks and Iryna’s Story
On the day of the start of the war in Ukraine, Maks and Iryna Shcherbynin awoke to the sound of missiles exploding. Acting quickly, they decided they had to evacuate their city of Kharkiv with their two young children as soon as possible.
They left behind the barbershop they owned, where Maks worked and taught students. Iryna, a professional violinist, couldn’t even take her instrument with her. They made their way to Spokane and became residents of Thrive Center.
Maks Shcherbynin shares his story
Maks shared, “that which was supposed to be very hard, became easy” - due to the help they received - and “we were supposed to be disoriented, it was supposed to be very difficult, but every step of the way, from figuring out where we were going to live or obtain food -we received help.”
Iryna Shcherbynin poses with their two children, Mark and Melissa.
Maks and Iryna expressed a sincere thank you to the team at Thrive and everyone who assisted them since their arrival. The Shcherbynin family plans to open a barbershop in Spokane in the nearby future.
Would you like to support Ukrainian Refugees like Maks and Iryna?
Soccer Can Change the World.
Last week, Thrive International’s Soccer camp 2022 brought together over 60 kids from 10 different countries for 4 days.
Each refugee youth has an individual story of resilience and struggle. Although no two stories are the same, they have all crossed borders, left their homes, and adapted to change in the best way possible. It’s difficult enough to be a kid - no matter where you’re from - but it’s even more complicated when dealing with cultural barriers and the lack of stability that often comes with being uprooted. Even the title ‘refugee’ can be stigmatizing. It emphasizes the ‘otherness,’ turning attention toward what’s different, casting a shadow on their uniqueness and abilities, suggesting their immigration status may be the most defining thing in their lives. In reality, they are looking for the childhood experiences that many of us take for granted: summer vacation, being a part of a neighborhood, and forming friendships through sports.
That’s why soccer camp is essential to Thrive’s youth program. Sports have a way of bringing people together and equalizing our differences. Soccer, in particular, has a uniting power: It’s the only sport played by just about every nation on earth. For refugee youth, it might be one of the few culturally enduring activities that make them feel like they belong. Soccer is more than a game; its own global culture leveling the playing field between nations, religions, and traditions. Many refugee kids may struggle to understand their changing culture, but the rules of soccer offer a constant, a sacred space that remains unchanged, the only ‘church’ that some have known.
Last week, Thrive International’s Soccer camp 2022 brought together over 60 kids from 10 different countries for 4 days.
For many, this camp was the highlight of their summer. They met new friends who understood the unique challenges of refugee culture, played their favorite sport - all day, and got their own branded soccer jersey to wear home.
The Kids
Coyrille Wangama (17), has early memories of his extended family uniting together in one home to watch the world cup in Kenya. “That’s what inspired me to play and make them proud of me,” he said while dressed in his new Thrive Nation Soccer Jersey - eager to join his friends on the field. Coyrille’s mother left Kenya when he was only two years old so she could pave the way for him to join her later on in America. In 2015, they were reunited. Having only seen her on the phone, being able to be with his mother was an amazing experience he said. He is now playing soccer for his high school team in Spokane and is grateful for the opportunity to play at soccer camp. “Soccer is everything for me. It’s a great thing. You can’t do something alone in soccer. It unites people to do something together…and just have fun”
Doryn Katumbi (8, Tanzania) said that soccer camp for her is a place where she could bring all her feelings. “When I’m upset, sad, or mad the people here will understand your feelings and make you feel Ok.”
Mwajuma Isishhibaleka (15), was born in Tanzania, and raised in Congo “[Soccer] is a big part of who I am, it’s part of the culture in Congo and my whole family are superfans.” When asked what soccer meant to her she said, “it connects me to my culture and country and it brings people together from different backgrounds. Even a few Ukrainian refugees are here today too.”
One of the highlights of the camp was a surprise appearance from the U.S. Women’s Armed Forces soccer team, who sat in for several games with the kids and even stayed for a water balloon fight at the end.
When asked the same question as the refugee youth, the Women’s Armed Forces team players had answers that weren’t so different from the kids’; “community, family, a connection point for relationships.”
Our Directors:
Jackson Lino and Shannon Price are the youth program directors for Thrive International (pictured below). Together, they are the driving force of not only the soccer camp but many other refugee youth activities, including a once-a-week gym night at the YMCA. Jackson is close to celebrity status in the local refugee community, knowing many of these kids almost their entire lives. He is a role model, a former refugee himself, and an inspiration to many kids as they look to who they could be in their future community. When asked about Jackson and Shannon, Kituz Bigera (11, South Africa) said, “They make me feel like I’m wanted, and I’m loved.”
Our Partners:
Park, is an Australian soccer ball manufacturer. They are the creators of the first carbon-negative soccer ball and are deeply concerned with their environmental and sociological global impact. They have a belief statement that ‘[Soccer] can change the world.’ They believe that soccer is more than just a game; it’s a place for kids to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and when kids understand their role in a team or community, they are empowered to make a change.
USL Spokane, an up-and-coming local soccer league, also partnered with us, sending their Club Storyteller, Taylor Brooks, to spend the week with the kids and hear more about their stories. (Video below). She did an amazing job capturing the joy, excitement, and interactions of each child on the field.
NW Football Ministries, a non-profit organization that uses soccer as a tool for demonstrating character and respect to empower kids in their communities, was another integral part of the week. Jubal McDaniel, the founder and director, donated his time and energy, investing in each of the kids, teaching them about soccer and the life lessons in the game.
Thanks to Soccer Chaplains United, the kids got to leave camp in style with Colorado Rapids soccer jerseys.
Half of the global refugee population (nearly 13 million) are children under 18. That’s why youth programs will continue to be essential to Thrive International. One young boy who attended camp this year said, “Soccer is my safe place.”
The world needs safer places for kids, and our mission is to provide that for refugee communities so that they can thrive.
Giving opportunity:
Partnering for Ukraine
On March 24th, President Biden announced that up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees would be accepted into the United States, primarily focusing on those with family already in the country.
What many people may not realize is that Spokane is home to roughly 50,000 Slavic citizens, including many first-generation Ukrainian immigrants.
What positions Spokane as a strategic place of refuge in the Ukraine war is that almost every Ukrainian refugee in Spokane has a connection here through either family or friends.
This is the reason that Thrive International has teamed up with the Ukraine Relief Coalition (URC); the URC’s extensive network helps us communicate our services to Ukrainians who need housing and aid. Without their help in reaching out to the Slavic community, there would be many Ukrainians unreached.
The partnership between Thrive and URC is essentially this: Thrive provides the technical and operational support for Ukrainian relief, while the URC provides the human network within the Slavic community.
The URC is led by former city planner, and current pastor Boris Borisov.
He is joined by Anna Bondarenko, Vladimir Kronin, Tanya Wann, Violet Tsyukalo, Mariya Kovalyov, Albina Semivrazhnov, Mark Drovorub, Roman Oberemok, Daniel Kovalyovand, and Andrey Tsyukalo.
To read more about the URC, please visit their website.
