Vitae Shelter for Ukrainian Refugees in Budapest

Team fundraiser

Ryan Meskill and 3 others are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Vitae Hostel, part of the (sadly former) Budapest Party Hostels, has been welcoming guests from all around the world for the last 12 years. Having only just reopened this summer after Covid, in light of the war in Ukraine, they have now also opened a shelter to house up to 60 refugees a night, and have already helped well over 200 people.

Ian, the owner, negotiated free rent on another floor of the building, had the help of armies of volunteers to assemble beds and gather supplies, and has been almost entirely full since opening on March 1st. In the intervening two plus weeks he's also managed to secure three free meals a day, toiletries and bed linens, as well as translation/psychological/general assistance working together with local restaurants and NGOs. Together with the continued help of voluteers costs are low and needs limited, but unfortunately the Hungarian government isn't currently offering any monetary assistance for shelters and so Ian's been fronting the utilities on his own and that's where we need your help.

We estimate gas/electric/condo fees at approximately $4,000 per month, or just over $2 per bed per night. We know these are trying times for everyone, but every dollar you give will go directly towards funding the shelter over the next 2+ months.

Thanks in advance both from all us volunteers but also from the refugees we're helping settle and get back on their feet!