AMERICAN ACORN FOUNDATION SPECIAL REPORT
WASHINGTON D.C. – As the world’s attention shifts between global crises, the human cost of the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to unfold in countless personal stories of resilience, loss, and hope. The American Acorn Foundation’s humanitarian partners on the ground report that behind every statistic lies a family forever changed, yet determined to rebuild their lives despite the uncertainty that defines their daily existence.
The September 7 attack on Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv serves as a stark reminder that this conflict extends far beyond military objectives—it strikes at the heart of civilian life, democratic institutions, and the fundamental human right to safety and security. For the families we support through our humanitarian initiatives, such attacks represent not just news headlines, but the harsh reality of a war that has redefined what it means to call Ukraine home.
Through our partnership with local Ukrainian organizations and international relief agencies, the American Acorn Foundation has witnessed firsthand the extraordinary resilience of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Their stories deserve to be told, not just as statistics in casualty reports, but as testimonies to the enduring strength of the human spirit.
Voices from the Ground: Stories of Survival and Hope
The Kovalenko Family: From Kyiv to Kansas City
Maria Kovalenko never imagined that her morning routine of preparing breakfast for her two young children would be interrupted by air raid sirens. A kindergarten teacher from Kyiv, Maria’s life changed forever when Russian forces began their assault on Ukraine’s capital. The recent attack on the government building occurred just blocks from where her family once lived.
“Every morning, I wake up and for just a moment, I forget where I am,” Maria shares from her temporary home in Kansas City, Missouri, where the American Acorn Foundation helped relocate her family. “Then I remember—we’re safe now, but our home, our life, everything we built is still there, waiting for us to return.”
Maria’s husband, Dmitri, was a civil engineer who worked on infrastructure projects throughout Ukraine. When the war began, he made the difficult decision to stay behind to help with reconstruction efforts while Maria and their children, ages 6 and 9, sought safety in the United States. The family communicates daily through video calls, but the strain of separation weighs heavily on all of them.
“The hardest part isn’t the bombs or the sirens—it’s explaining to my children why their father can’t come with us, why their friends are scattered across the world, why their normal life just… stopped.” – Maria Kovalenko, Ukrainian refugee
The American Acorn Foundation’s Family Reunification Program has helped over 2,400 Ukrainian families navigate the complex process of temporary relocation while maintaining hope for eventual return. Maria’s story represents thousands of similar journeys—families torn between the safety of displacement and the pull of home.
The Elderly Left Behind: Babusya Anna’s Choice
Not everyone can leave. In the small town of Bucha, 78-year-old Anna Petrenko made a decision that many elderly Ukrainians have faced: to stay in her homeland despite the dangers. Known affectionately as “Babusya Anna” by her neighbors, she has become a symbol of quiet resistance and unwavering determination.
“This is my land, my home for 78 years,” Anna explains through a translator during a video call facilitated by our local partners. “I planted these apple trees with my husband 40 years ago. I buried him in this soil. Where else would I go?”
Anna’s story illustrates the complex reality facing Ukraine’s elderly population. Many lack the physical ability to travel long distances, while others refuse to abandon the places that hold their life’s memories. The American Acorn Foundation’s Elder Care Initiative provides essential supplies and medical support to seniors who have chosen to remain in conflict zones.
Despite the dangers, Anna has transformed her home into an informal community center, providing shelter and comfort to neighbors during air raids. Her basement, reinforced with sandbags and stocked with emergency supplies provided by international aid organizations, has become a sanctuary for local families.
The recent attack on Kyiv’s government building resonated deeply with Anna, who remembers similar scenes from World War II. “History repeats itself,” she observes, “but so does the strength of our people. We survived then, and we will survive now.”
Children of War: Education in Exile
Perhaps no group has been more profoundly affected by the conflict than Ukraine’s children. The American Acorn Foundation’s Educational Continuity Program works with schools across the United States to integrate Ukrainian students into local communities while maintaining connections to their cultural heritage.
Ten-year-old Maksym Shevchenko arrived in Portland, Oregon, speaking no English and carrying only a backpack containing his favorite books and a photo of his dog, left behind in Mariupol. Today, six months later, he serves as a translator for newer Ukrainian students and has become a bridge between cultures in his elementary school.
“At first, I was scared because everything was different,” Maksym explains in carefully practiced English. “But my teacher, Mrs. Johnson, she learned some Ukrainian words to make me feel welcome. Now I teach my American friends Ukrainian songs, and they teach me baseball.”
Maksym’s teacher, Sarah Johnson, describes the profound impact Ukrainian students have had on her classroom. “These children have experienced trauma that most adults never face, yet they bring such resilience and perspective to our learning environment. They’ve taught us all about courage.”
“These children carry the future of Ukraine in their hearts, even as they adapt to new homes thousands of miles away. Their resilience gives us hope for what lies ahead.” – Dr. Elena Marchenko, Child Psychologist, American Acorn Foundation
The psychological impact of displacement on children remains a primary concern for humanitarian organizations. The American Acorn Foundation’s Child Trauma Recovery Program provides specialized counseling services designed to help young refugees process their experiences while building foundations for healthy development.
The Ripple Effect: How War Transforms Communities
American Communities Opening Hearts and Homes
The Ukrainian refugee crisis has revealed the extraordinary capacity for compassion within American communities. From small towns in rural Nebraska to urban centers like Chicago and Los Angeles, families have opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees, creating bonds that transcend language and cultural barriers.
The Thompson family in Omaha, Nebraska, exemplifies this spirit of welcome. When they learned about the American Acorn Foundation’s Host Family Program, they immediately volunteered to provide temporary housing for a Ukrainian family. What began as a six-month commitment has evolved into a lasting friendship that has enriched both families.
“We thought we were helping them,” reflects Janet Thompson, “but honestly, they’ve given us so much more than we’ve given them. Our children have learned about resilience, gratitude, and the importance of standing up for what’s right. These aren’t just lessons you can teach in a classroom.”
The Volkov family, whom the Thompsons are hosting, arrived with three children and limited English skills. Today, the families share meals, celebrate both American and Ukrainian holidays, and have created a unique blend of traditions that honors both cultures.
Economic Integration and Community Building
Beyond immediate humanitarian needs, the American Acorn Foundation focuses on long-term integration support that helps Ukrainian refugees become self-sufficient contributors to their new communities. The Professional Skills Transfer Program connects Ukrainian professionals with American employers, recognizing that many refugees possess valuable skills and experience.
Dr. Oleksandr Bondarenko, a cardiovascular surgeon from Kharkiv, now works at a medical center in Minneapolis through the program. His expertise has been invaluable to the hospital, while his presence has enriched the local Ukrainian-American community.
“I never wanted to leave Ukraine,” Dr. Bondarenko admits, “but I realized that I could serve my country by saving lives here and supporting the medical system that will be needed when we rebuild. Every life I save here is a victory against those who would destroy our homeland.”
The economic impact of Ukrainian refugees extends beyond individual success stories. Communities that have welcomed Ukrainian families report increased cultural diversity, new business ventures, and strengthened international connections that benefit local economies.
The Technology of Survival: Innovation Born from Necessity
Digital Lifelines
The war in Ukraine has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies that keep families connected across vast distances. The American Acorn Foundation’s Digital Bridge Initiative provides tablets, internet access, and technical support to help Ukrainian families maintain connections with loved ones still in Ukraine.
These digital lifelines serve multiple purposes: children attend virtual classes with Ukrainian teachers to maintain their native language skills, families participate in online therapy sessions with Ukrainian-speaking counselors, and communities organize virtual cultural events that preserve traditions and strengthen bonds.
Oksana Marchenko, a software developer from Lviv now living in Austin, Texas, has created an app that helps Ukrainian refugees navigate American bureaucracy. Her innovation, supported by the American Acorn Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Program, has been downloaded by over 15,000 users and has become an essential tool for newly arrived families.
“Technology cannot replace human connection,” Oksana explains, “but it can bridge the gaps that war creates. When my mother in Lviv can read bedtime stories to my daughter here in Texas, technology becomes a tool of love, not just convenience.”
Preserving Culture Through Innovation
The American Acorn Foundation recognizes that cultural preservation is essential for maintaining Ukrainian identity during displacement. The Cultural Heritage Digital Archive project works with Ukrainian families to document traditions, recipes, stories, and customs that might otherwise be lost during the chaos of war and relocation.
Elderly refugees like 82-year-old Petro Kovalchuk have become living libraries, sharing oral histories and traditional knowledge with younger generations through recorded interviews and digital storytelling projects. These archives serve not only as cultural preservation tools but also as therapeutic outlets for processing trauma and maintaining connection to homeland.
“When I tell stories about my village, about the festivals we celebrated, about the way my grandmother made borscht,” Petro reflects, “I am not just remembering—I am keeping our culture alive for my grandchildren who may never see the Ukraine I knew.”
Looking Forward: Building Bridges to Tomorrow
The Long Road to Recovery
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the American Acorn Foundation recognizes that humanitarian support must evolve from emergency response to long-term recovery planning. The recent escalation, including the attack on Ukraine’s government building, underscores the reality that this crisis will require sustained international commitment.
The Foundation’s Recovery Planning Initiative works with Ukrainian community leaders to develop strategies for eventual repatriation while ensuring that those who choose to remain in the United States have pathways to permanent integration. This dual approach recognizes that recovery must be flexible and responsive to individual family needs.
Mental health support remains a critical component of long-term recovery. The trauma of war, displacement, and family separation creates lasting psychological impacts that require specialized, culturally sensitive treatment. The American Acorn Foundation’s partnership with Ukrainian-speaking mental health professionals ensures that healing can occur in native languages and cultural contexts.
Lessons in Resilience
The Ukrainian refugee experience offers profound lessons about human resilience, community solidarity, and the power of hope in the face of overwhelming adversity. These lessons extend far beyond the immediate crisis, providing insights that can inform humanitarian response to future conflicts and disasters.
Perhaps most importantly, the stories of Ukrainian families demonstrate that resilience is not just individual strength—it is collective action, community support, and the recognition that healing occurs through connection and mutual aid.
“We have learned that home is not just a place—it is the people who welcome you, the communities that embrace you, and the hope that sustains you through the darkest times.” – Iryna Bondarenko, Ukrainian Community Leader
How You Can Help
The American Acorn Foundation continues to expand its support for Ukrainian refugees through several key programs:
Family Support Services: Providing immediate assistance with housing, food, medical care, and legal support for newly arrived families.
Educational Programs: Ensuring Ukrainian children can continue their education while maintaining cultural connections through language and cultural preservation initiatives.
Professional Integration: Helping Ukrainian professionals navigate credential recognition and find meaningful employment in their fields.
Mental Health Services: Providing trauma-informed care through Ukrainian-speaking counselors and culturally appropriate therapeutic approaches.
Community Building: Facilitating connections between Ukrainian refugees and American host communities to build lasting relationships and mutual support networks.
The war in Ukraine has created one of the largest refugee crises in modern history, but it has also revealed the extraordinary capacity for human compassion and resilience. As attacks like the September 7 assault on Ukraine’s government building remind us, this conflict is far from over. The families we serve through the American Acorn Foundation represent not just statistics in a humanitarian crisis, but individual stories of courage, hope, and the unbreakable human spirit.
Their journeys from war-torn Ukraine to new homes across America illustrate both the devastating impact of conflict and the transformative power of community support. As we continue our work, we are reminded daily that behind every refugee statistic is a family seeking safety, children dreaming of a peaceful future, and communities working together to rebuild what war has tried to destroy.
The road ahead remains long and uncertain, but the stories of resilience, adaptation, and hope that we witness every day provide a foundation for optimism. Through continued support, sustained commitment, and recognition of our shared humanity, we can help ensure that the Ukrainian families we serve not only survive this crisis but emerge stronger, more connected, and ready to contribute to the communities that have welcomed them with open arms.
The American Acorn Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting humanitarian causes and strengthening communities through direct action and advocacy. For more information about our Ukrainian refugee support programs or to learn how you can help, visit www.americanacornfoundation.org or contact our offices directly.
This report is part of PRAI News’ commitment to comprehensive coverage of international humanitarian issues. For more in-depth reporting on global conflicts and their human impact, visit PRAI News.
