Being in the right place at the right time can lead to an amazing outcome.
In mid-July, while Project Neighbors was working to finish building a duplex, I received a phone call. (I will leave out most of the names in this story to preserve the privacy of the players.) The caller, who I did not know, said he had been talking to a friend (with whom I was acquainted) about the work of Project Neighbors. The caller said he and his friend had become aware of a Ukrainian refugee family now living in Valparaiso in temporary housing. Apparently, all eight members of this extended family were staying in the basement of a local resident. The caller then asked if Project Neighbors had any available living units.
My response was, “Not for a family of eight!”
It was then explained to me that within this extended family, there was a mom, dad, their two children aged 8 and 13, and then two couples in their twenties. Could Project Neighbors provide housing for any of these folks? “We just need to lessen the burden on the household providing housing now. All eight have lived there since their arrival in April.”
The Ukrainians had fled their homes in the eastern and central parts of Ukraine as the Russian bombs began to fall. They first went to Poland and then Mexico and then, somehow, landed in Valparaiso. Initially they hoped to return to Ukraine, but now – with the family intact – would be seeking permanent residence in the U.S. and eventually citizenship. After seeing the duplex, the family of four said they would love to live in the available unit.
Making a house more like home through landscaping and gardening.
We had begun construction on the duplex in late 2021. The owners of the property, long-time supporters of Project Neighbors and community activists – Greg and Ida Jones – offered to help by allowing the Ukraine family to share their duplex.
But there is a catch. As generous and benevolent as Project Neighbors and the Joneses are, the funds spent to build the duplex had been borrowed from the bank. There was a mortgage, considerably below market, but still a debt to be paid. The Ukrainians are educated, had jobs, homes, cars, and community in the Ukraine, but had to leave it all behind. They cannot seek work in the U.S. until obtaining work permits, a lengthy process. So, at this point, there is no income.
Still the mortgage must be paid, and gas, electricity, water, and food purchased.
Remember the initial phone call? The caller and his friend generously agreed to pay the rent for the first year. Check that off.
And a local church had formed a support group to underwrite other financial needs until employment was in place. Check, check, check.
Ukrainian refugees and American friends pour concrete at the new duplex.
On Friday, July 29th, four members of the eight helped pour the concrete driveway and on Monday, August 1, all eight cleaned, painted, and planted flowers at the site. By the time this newsletter is in your hands, the family will have moved in. Sometimes things just work out.
-Paul Schreiner