Help Ukrainian Refugees with Temp Housing

Help us save the Lesko Refugee Center from closing.

It is HOME to 55 Ukrainian children, mothers and elderly women at this center, who have come here from various parts of Ukraine, and been living like a big family since past 2 months. Even though there is not enough for all, they are still accepting refugees who come here from after crossing the border, and seeking a safe place to stay, with hopes of returning back to Ukraine.

Due to no help (yet) from the government and early donations drying up, this center may not have enough to sustain the rent, costs of utilities, and to pay for groceries and produce so the families can cook and eat. Most people need clothes as they only packed winter clothing and the donations came all used jackets and warm clothes. Several women were sharing same pair of shoes, and they do not have clean or new underwear for mothers and children. They are running out of shampoos, washing detergent, cleaning supplies. 

We, at #AtlforUkraine have contributed with donations and transportations of refugees to and from the center in earlier days, and so have many independent volunteers from Atlanta as well as many parts of USA. On top of that, ongoing fundraising efforts of Ania Sierdzinska (a Polish American Volunteer from Marietta), has brought some relief to the center temporarily but this may last 3-4 weeks and maximum till next month.

The families need help now more than ever. We are trying to raise $35000 to be able to pay for the center for at least 4-6 months or till they can secure government funding or find a more secure home for the families.

You can donate here to prevent the center from closing, all funds collected from 05/06/2022 onwards will be remitted to the center via Wise.com

See highlights of #ATLforUkraine organization on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/groups/atlforukraine/

Our fundraiser covered in the NEWS:

Action News Atlanta Channel 2 

Atlanta Journal Constitution 

Here are the centers monthly expenses distribution of $7,000-$9,000 per month

Rent, utilities (water, electricity, heating), clothing, groceries, Operations Team, maintenance, drivers Pay, Adhoc expenses like gas, doctor visit or medicines, or repair as and when it comes. Just hired a Ukrainian refugee (pay $600) to manage families requests and co-ordinate the center needs.

We are working in partnership with a network of Polish and Ukrainian volunteers who are involved day in and day out and welcoming refugees arriving at Przemyśl, Tesco & Medyka crossing.

About us

Raj Armani : When the war broke out and suddenly disrupted millions of families, I knew we had to do something to help the fleeing refugees, some of them my ex team mates, friends and their families. So I started this fundraiser on short notice and head to Poland on March 15th. In the three weeks that I was at the Polish-Ukrainian border and Warsaw, we (team of 4 in collaboration with 16 volunteers at Lesko, Przemysl, Medyka, Warsaw Central and Torwar) were able to bring relief to over 186 mothers & children with safe accommodation, transportation, donation to humanitarian aid collection centers for them to cover costs of trips inside Ukraine, buy army boots, hotel rooms for a three week period for over 62 mothers and children who had no place to stay overnight at Warsaw Central Station and many ad hoc activities and needs.

Ania Sierdzinska : Ania is a Polish American resident of Cobb County, who has been actively involved in saving the center by being on ground and co-ordinating multiple contributions to prolong the closing date. Follow her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ania.sierdzinska