Welcome Ukrainian Refugees Sylvania Franciscans

Local Agencies and Volunteers also Lend a Hand

“Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.”

This quote from Pope Francis was an inspiration to the Sisters of St. Francis Refugee Action Committee because members have had concerns for the world-wide refugee crisis for a number of years. Once the Sisters decided that a house they no longer needed as a residence for themselves should be used for refugees, they sprang into action. During 2022, the SOSF Refugee Action Committee hosted a family from Afghanistan who were evacuated from Kabul during the American withdrawal. By the end of the year, they began planning for a new family in 2023.

“We were prepared to host one family, but after Alona Matchenko, co-founder of Toledo Helps Ukraine made an impassioned plea for us to consider two families, we prayed over her request and decided hosting another family was important,” explained Sister Nancy Surma, Refugee Action Committee Chair.

The first family of six flew into the Detroit airport on February 3, 2023. Sylvania Franciscans were there to greet them and bring them to the Welcome House, as the Sisters call their former residence. This family has three girls and one boy, from ages 10 – 13.

The second family of four arrived a week later, and is living in a rented duplex in Toledo. “It is quite difficult for people to get started in the U.S. when they have no rental or credit history, and haven’t found a job yet,” commented Sister Nancy. Fortunately, a long-time Toledoan and St. Francis de Sales High School graduate was willing to take a chance on the family.

“Water for Ishmael, a local organization which offers English classes to new community members from foreign lands, has been very supportive as we work to give family members the foundational skills that can change their lives. Learning English for Ukrainians can be extra challenging because they use the Cyrillic alphabet,” said Sister Nancy. Members from the Bavarian Sports Club of Toledo have also been very helpful in the preparation and welcoming efforts.

A great volunteer circle of people has lent a hand thus far, donating furniture and household objects and offering rides to the store, church, and to English classes. The goal of the Sisters is to ease the families’ adjustments to our country, supporting them when everything is so new, and setting them on the road to independence. All are so grateful for shelter and kindness outside of a war zone.

“When I see the news and the horrible things that are happening in Ukraine, I feel a bit of peace and energy knowing that we are actually making a difference for a few

Support for Ukrainian Refugees

For anyone interested in supporting the Sisters of St. Francis as they help families from Ukraine, please use the link below which will take you to the Ukraine 2023 Ministry Outreach donation page: https://ukrainianfamily.givesmart.com/