LUBLIN, Poland–Five Ukrainian refugee women, all of whom are receiving housing assistance from the credit union-supported Via Stella Fund, said that without the help their lives would be much more difficult in Poland, and they each shared their stories of what has happened to them and where they are now.
They related journeys that include in one case the destruction of a former home in the war with Russia.
The women spoke with CUToday.info and representatives of the Via Stella Foundation during a video conference set up by Poland’s national CU trade association inside the offices of Skok Chmielewskiego in Lublin, Poland.
The Via Stella Foundation is the joint effort by Polish and U.S. credit unions to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees in Poland, and to assist Ukrainians themselves, such as purchasing ambulances. Credit unions in the country act as distribution points for the funds but CU membership is not required.