Join Yevhen's Fight for Safety and Stability

Dear Friends and Supporters

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am reaching out with a sincere and heartfelt request. As many of you know, I have dedicated my life to coaching, mentoring young athletes, and teaching them not only the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling but also how to overcome life's challenges.

My name is Yevhen Pylypenko, and I am a Greco-Roman wrestling coach from Ukraine. Since November 2022, I have been living in Columbus, Ohio, where I continue to volunteer as a Greco-Roman wrestling coach, working with American athletes. Over the past year, I have coached four state champions, and I am currently preparing athletes for the USA Open. My own sons have also achieved significant success, placing third at the USA National Championships in Fargo in 2024. Prior to moving to the United States, I worked as a coach at a professional sports college in Ukraine, where many of my athletes became international competition winners and participated in world and European championships.

However, my story is not only about sport. I am originally from Mariupol, a city that has suffered devastating destruction and is now under occupation. My parents still live there, and I may never see them again. Our family home is in Dnipro, only 80 miles from the front line. The war has changed everything for us – forcing us to leave behind our home, our loved ones, and the life we had built. What was once a place of warmth and hope is now dangerous and inaccessible.

Despite all of this, I continue to dedicate myself to coaching because wrestling is not just about medals. It’s about resilience, strength of character, and the ability to move forward even in the toughest times. This is what I teach my athletes – not only how to win on the mat but how to overcome adversity in life.

Our family came to the United States thanks to a miracle. We met a kind-hearted American who, after getting to know us, offered his help and provided us with housing. His generosity and support have been a lifeline, giving us the opportunity to start anew in a safe place.

Now, we have another chance – to obtain a green card, which will allow us to remain in the United States, where we can build a future and contribute to the society that welcomed us. However, this process is not only difficult but also comes with significant financial costs. Despite our best efforts, we are unable to cover all of the expenses associated with this process on our own.

That is why I am reaching out to you with a request for help. Any support you can offer – no matter the amount – will bring us one step closer to stability and safety.

Regardless of your decision, I am deeply grateful for your time, your consideration, and the kindness you have already shown to me and my family. Thank you for being a part of our journey and our future.

You can see more information about our family at this link.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1071383508368569&id=100064907883142&rdid=d3tPpIG5ZIWizyVA#

With heartfelt gratitude,

Yevhen Pylypenko