Kindness offers Ukrainian family hope for a better future
The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has ushered in a new reality of violence and change for Ukrainians, even though parts of the country have been grappling with war for many years.
In 2014, during the Russo-Ukrainian war when Russia occupied and annexed Crimea from Ukraine, Anna’s first husband was killed on the frontlines. Widowed at 25, Anna was living in Lviv and working as a successful journalist. She also worked at a social services center that supports widows and people living with disabilities caused by war injuries.
Sasha served in the Ukrainian national guard for 17 years. In 2015, while defending the city of Debal’tseve, he suffered severe emotional and physical trauma as Russian troops surrounded the city. He made it out alive, and shortly after, due to his war injuries, sought out support at the center where Anna worked.
It was there that Sasha and Anna met and fell in love. “We found each other in that center,” Anna said. “Basically, we saved each other.”
The couple married a year later, in 2017, and soon welcomed their daughter Vira, who they named after the Ukrainian word for “faith,” as they found new faith for a better future.
When Vira was born, Sasha’s health prevented him from continuing to work, so he chose to retire from the military. He found the transition into civilian life difficult, but eventually began working for an internet provider, focusing on networking technologies. He was excited about the prospect of building a successful career and future for himself and his family.
Everything changed when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. “From the first day, the sounds of the alarms… were terrifying, and our hearts sank,” Anna said.
That changed the life of all Ukrainians. At that point, our life [felt] like the earth was moving under our feet… our life was being ruined.
While Lviv, which is in the western part of Ukraine, was not initially at the center of the Russian attacks, the young family feared for their lives and that of their loved ones.
“Even though in Lviv the horrors of war arrived later, we were all terrified,” Anna said.
In early spring of 2022, after several tragic events—including the deaths of a neighboring family and the loss of their beloved dog—the couple decided to leave the country, though they had no idea how or when they could find refuge elsewhere.
Anna monitored the changes in border control, and they began closing their bank accounts in preparation to leave at a moment’s notice. Then Anna learned that disabled veterans and their families were allowed to leave Ukraine, so the very next day they left for Poland.
As they were preparing to leave, Sasha was deeply torn, feeling called to serve in the military again and protect his country.
You know what I’m supposed to do,’” Anna recalled her husband telling her. She took their daughter into her arms and told him, “You know I will not survive it.” To Anna’s relief, Sasha listened and decided to leave with them.
“It was Vira who saved both of us,” Anna said. The violence in Ukraine had already taken the life of Anna’s first husband, and she knew that this recent invasion could risk Sasha’s life as well.
In April 2022, the family escaped to Poland. They hoped to find safety and stability, but their challenges only continued. The Polish government was offering Ukrainian refugees a small stipend, the equivalent of $80 USD per month for the first three months, but it wasn’t enough to cover all of their expenses.
Though Anna and Sasha had jobs, over 80% of their income was going toward rent, and they were barely able to afford food. Meanwhile, Vira was also exhibiting signs of trauma and was not speaking. The couple managed to hire a Ukrainian-speaking speech therapist, and Anna took a second job cleaning hostels to cover the cost.
Soon, Vira miraculously started speaking again—in English. The child loved watching English cartoons, and she also understood Polish and Ukrainian. Her speech therapist recommended to Anna and Sasha that they move to an English-speaking country to continue to support Vira’s development.
Having depleted most of their savings and barely surviving in Poland, the couple continued to search for a path out for their family. In November 2023, through a Facebook community, Anna discovered Welcome Connect, a free platform that connects Ukrainians with sponsors in the United States. Anna registered in February 2024 and was connected with Mike MacIssac.
Mike MacIssac was living in upstate New York when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Due to recent changes in his personal life, he found himself living alone, and felt called to help.
I was thinking, you know, what can I do to make goodness out of all of this?
He soon learned about sponsorship and the Welcome Connect platform, but after being laid off from his job in 2023, felt that he couldn’t take on the responsibility of sponsorship just yet.
In February 2024, Mike found a new job and the continued motivation to help others. He created his profile on Welcome Connect, and within five minutes, he was connected to Anna and her family.
Anna shared, “The fates smiled [down at] us, and we met Michael… I believe it was just fate. We had to come to this country… [Mike] had to find us. That’s what I believe happened.”
In May 2024, Mike welcomed Anna, Sasha, and Vira at the JFK airport. A friend of Mike’s made meals and put together a care package for the family.
Mike later sponsored Anna’s mother who had been living in Lviv. She, too, now lives with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild in Mike’s home— a temporary solution until the family has saved up enough to secure a home of their own.
“We feel like we’re a new family and enjoy each other’s company,” Mike said.
Now settled in their new community, Sasha has found a job working for a fiber-optics company, and Anna is working at the Boys and Girls Club. Vira is thriving. She’s now in second grade and has made many friends. Mike recalled many joyous moments with Vira—sending her off to her first day of school, watching her catch her first fish, and throwing her a big birthday party at his home in Saugerties, New York, with friends and neighbors.
“She is just in her habitat,” Anna said about her daughter. “I feel as if she was born here.”
The experience reminds Mike of a happy time when his own children, who are now adults and out of the house, were growing up.
“It’s nice to have family in the house,” he said. “I feel like I’m a surrogate grandfather now.”
Mike and Sasha have become great friends, working together around the house. Mike, who volunteers with Team Rubicon, a veteran-run humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief and aid nationwide, sees volunteering as an impactful way of connecting with and help others. He believed that sharing this love for volunteerism with Sasha could help Sasha feel more connected to his new community.
Mike and Sasha have formed a close bond through their time together volunteering with Habit for Humanity.
The pair has also started volunteering together with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, building a home for a local family. Sasha and Mike have spent many recent Saturdays building this home and connecting with other volunteers.
For Mike, the experience of sponsorship has been impactful, “I have been blessed with a good life and welcome inviting another family member. Our coming together also rewards me.”
For Anna and her family, this kindness has been life saving – giving them the opportunity to build toward a future with safety and security in their new community.
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