'Idaho Reminds Them of Home': Ukrainian Welcome Center Marks First Anniversary

Episode 1 May 24, 2023 00:17:54
'Idaho Reminds Them of Home': Ukrainian Welcome Center Marks First Anniversary
Mosaics
'Idaho Reminds Them of Home': Ukrainian Welcome Center Marks First Anniversary

May 24 2023 | 00:17:54

/

Show Notes

This week Mosaics talks with Tina Polishchuk, executive director of the Ukrainian Welcome Center.  

Tina, whose own family fled religious persecution in Ukraine more than 30 years ago, was building her career and raising a young family in Idaho when Russia invaded Ukraine last year. What started out as a clothing drive became a twist in her own life that she never saw coming. 

The Ukrainian Welcome Center in the past year has welcomed and assisted more than 500 people fleeing the war. Learn more about why they chose to seek safety in Idaho, and how people came together to help them feel at home. 

The community is invited to mark the one-year anniversary of the Ukrainian Welcome Center on Saturday, May 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Welcome Center, 304 16th Avenue North in Nampa. The building is the former Boise Rescue Mission’s Lighthouse shelter, which coincidentally closed as the conflict in Ukraine was starting up. The Rescue Mission’s CEO quickly jumped on board with using the space for assisting Ukrainian refugees instead.  

“Despite the fact that there’s a lot of evil in the world, there’s always a place for good,” Tina said. “And I think we’re seeing that realize itself in the Ukrainian Welcome Center.” 

Learn more at www.ukrainianwelcomecenter.org.

Other Episodes

Episode 48

May 07, 2025 00:41:19
Episode Cover

Run for Refugees: Uniting for Welcome

All are welcome to join the Pace for Peace Run for Refugees in Boise on May 24, 2025, in support of Agency for New...

Listen

Episode 8

July 12, 2023 00:46:32
Episode Cover

Afghan Pilots Resettling in Idaho Dream of Flying Again

Amani and Bashir are experienced Afghan military pilots who served alongside U.S. allies. Now resettled in Idaho, they are part of Global Talent’s first...

Listen

Episode

September 05, 2024 00:42:03
Episode Cover

Sangam Kumari: Learning through Life’s Transitions

Sangam Kumari has experienced many transitions in her life. When she was 4 years old, her family moved from India to Nepal. She took...

Listen