From loss, a Florida couple offers Ukrainians hope
When Satchel and Caroline Raye’s close friend and neighbor unexpectedly passed away, they turned their grief into an act of compassion. The couple welcomed a mother and son from across the world who were looking for a safe way to escape war-torn Ukraine.
In 2022, the Gainesville, Florida, couple had purchased their friend’s home and began making renovations. Meanwhile, they watched the devastation of Russia invading Ukraine on the news, and Caroline thought, “Surely there’s somebody who needs shelter.”
Across the globe, Marianna, Alexander, and their son, Nazar, lived together in a small town of around 1,000 people in western Ukraine. Alexander worked in construction, and Marianna worked as a librarian and teacher at the school that Nazar attended. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022, their once normal and happy life became one of fear.
It was scary because we didn't know what to expect in the future. We had the air alerts. We had missiles coming [into] our region.
Although western Ukraine was safer than the eastern part of the country, they still felt the danger of living in conflict. Missiles were falling, and constant alerts warned the family of impending threats. The family stayed in Ukraine for two more years, but in May 2024, Nazar began researching options to leave.
In June of that year, Nazar discovered Welcome.US and joined the Welcome Connect platform. The Rayes, too, created a profile on Welcome Connect, and within minutes, received messages from multiple people.
“It’s hard,” Caroline shared, “You want everyone to be safe and cared for.”
Just one week after joining the platform, Nazar connected with Caroline and Satchel.
When messaging with Nazar, the Rayes were reminded of their own children who are now grown and have moved out of the family home. They immediately knew this was the family they wanted to help.
Caroline and Satchel set up a video call to meet the Ukrainian family, and soon after, offered sponsorship to Nazar and Marianna. Leaving Ukraine was a difficult decision for Nazar and his mother. Not only were they leaving behind their country, work, school, and friends, but also Alexander, who had to stay behind because of Ukraine’s military conscription requirements for adult men.
The Rayes submitted sponsorship applications during the summer of 2024. On Aug. 23, Marianna and Nazar received approval to travel to the United States. They arrived in Florida in mid-September 2024, greeted by a smiling Satchel waiting for them at the Orlando airport.
As the couple embarked on their sponsorship journey with Marianna and Nazar, their small Gainesville community flooded the families with support. Their community has helped with everything from local resources to in-kind donations, such as bicycles and computers.
“We are not lonely here,” Nazar explained.
Satchel created a Facebook group to connect the mother and son with other Ukrainians in their community, who have greeted the newcomers with warmth and kindness.
Nazar is now in 11th grade, playing guitar in a band, and looking forward to college where he plans to study computer science. Marianna is learning English and working at a local thrift store. Although they are enjoying the safety and stability of life in the U.S., they deeply miss Alexander and all that they left in Ukraine.
As they reflected on their motivations for sponsorship, Caroline shared, “You don't get many opportunities in your life to truly change somebody's life… we were called to this, and how lucky are we that we can do this for somebody?”
Marianna and Nazar now reside in the home renovated by the Rayes. No longer empty from the loss of their friend, the house is once again filled with life.
What began as a response to an unimaginable loss has transformed into a life-changing act of kindness. In giving Marianna and Nazar a new beginning, the Rayes found that their own lives were forever changed in the process.
Just months after the Rayes welcomed Nazar and Marianna to the United States, providing safety and hope for their future, the government ended humanitarian parole programs like Uniting for Ukraine. You can share your support for private sponsorship in hopes of providing more opportunities like this for families in crisis. Contact your federal representatives today.
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