Shayna and Matt Kane, a West Chester couple, have taken in a Ukraine family of four, writes Bill Rettew for The Daily Local News. 

The Mykhalchuk family consists of a mother, her two children, and her mother. Her husband stayed behind in Ukraine. The family fled their city, which is near the Russian border and has been under daily attack. The city no longer has public water or electricity. 

The Mykhalchuk’s survived daily missile and bombing attacks by escaping to windowless shelters on various occasions. Mother, Halyna and her husband, took two-hour sleeping shifts, so they could keep up on the news.  

“It wasn’t life,” Halyna said. “All we did was eat and sleep. We couldn’t work and the kids were not in school. No conversation, no friends, no plans, while not understanding the future.” 

The children’s father could not legally leave Ukraine, as he could be asked to serve in the military. It was a difficult decision to leave him behind, but both parents wanted better for their children. 

The Mykhalchuk’s were able to immigrate here through Welcome.US, a program that aids people fleeing war by matching them to sponsors.

The Kane’s, who were volunteering at a Ukrainian cultural center, were looking for a family to bring into their home. At the end of the two-year program, the family can go back to Ukraine or apply for asylum and U.S. citizenship. 

Read more about the Mykhalchuk family’s journey from Ukraine to the U.S. at The Daily Local News. 

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