How a Peace Corps opportunity turned into a life of service
Corey Retell’s journey to sponsorship was a natural progression of a life defined by service. In 2018, he joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to teach in Ukraine, a move that would eventually reshape his life.
When he first arrived for training, Corey lived with a host family for three months, navigating a new culture without knowing the language. Relying heavily on Google Translate to communicate, he found that the language barriers were easily overcome by the sheer Ukrainian hospitality.
He recalls his host mother cooking breakfast for him every day out of pure compassion, an act far beyond her formal responsibilities. “You could use the word hospitality, just like openness, love,” he shared.
While living in Ukraine, Corey led community clubs that gave locals a space to practice English and build connections. It was at one of these clubs that he met a Ukrainian man who had recently moved to the town. The two formed a quick, lasting friendship, rooted in the same spirit of welcome that Corey had experienced since arriving in the country.
Reflecting on that time, Corey shared that the culture of connection is deeply ingrained in his memories of his time spent in Ukraine.
It’s much more normal there if you make a connection with somebody, you’re just in.
This profound sense of being "in" stayed with Corey long after the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to leave the country earlier than anticipated in 2020.
When rumors of an impending Russian invasion began circulating a few years later, Corey felt a surreal sense of urgency.
“I was in disbelief up until about a week and a half before it happened,” he said. These people who had shown him such deep compassion were now in danger, and he spent the early weeks of the conflict constantly checking in on his host families and friends.
Seeing the people he loved forced to shelter in hallways and bathrooms to avoid crossfire transformed his gratitude into action. When the opportunity arose to sponsor through the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program, Corey didn't hesitate to step up for the friend he had met years prior at his English club. For Corey, sponsoring this newcomer was a way to pay back the kindness he had received—a bridge of compassion spanning two continents.
It’s so obvious that [sponsorship is] one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. It’s made me more open to connecting with newly welcomed people in immigrant communities than I would have been in the past.
He’s naturally an introvert, but through welcoming, he’s found a new world of connection with people and communities.
The depth of Corey’s dedication became even more apparent when he committed to serving his country. When Corey enlisted in the Army Reserve shortly after the newcomer he sponsored arrived in Dallas, he didn't let his commitment to welcoming waver.
Instead, he leaned on his support system, ensuring his family and community continued to provide a soft landing for the newcomer as Corey departed for basic training. The transition underscored that successful sponsorship isn’t the work of one person alone—it’s strongest when embraced collectively, as a shared commitment and community-wide effort.
Now pursuing a law degree, Corey continues to advocate for a world where the sponsorship model is the norm. He believes that when immigration is built on personal connection, it becomes "wildly more beneficial for everyone involved, including the Americans who welcome them."
Corey’s commitment to the Ukrainian people, both those he welcomed and those he served alongside in the Peace Corps, is why he was recognized in our Heart of a Welcomer series. His story serves as a reminder that an act of welcome doesn't just help a newcomer, it strengthens entire communities.
While Corey has successfully navigated the sponsorship process, thousands of Ukrainians still face uncertainty due to administrative delays with re-parole.
Contact your federal representative today to request faster processing of applications to ensure our Ukrainian neighbors can continue to live in safety.
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