A small coalition of Whidbey residents is working to bring a family of Ukrainian refugees to the island.
The group, Whidbey Island Community Advocates for Refugee Efforts, or CARE, is still in the early stages of the process and is in search of more community members who are willing to contribute their time and knowledge to the cause.
Bob and Carol Wall, the Oak Harbor couple behind the “Kindness is Contagious” signs that sprung up around Whidbey last year, are the primary coordinators for the effort. After hearing from Jeff Groton, an Oak Harbor native who lived in Ukraine for many years and had to flee the country at the onset of Russia’s invasion, about the plight of Ukrainian refugees, the Walls and some of their friends decided they wanted to do something to help.
A core group of about a dozen Whidbey residents formed CARE. They began officially meeting in September and soon connected with Sponsor Circles, an organization that helps place refugees and get them settled in their new communities. A South End group previously worked through Sponsor Circles to bring an Afghan family to Whidbey and connect them with resources on the island.
Whidbey Island CARE is currently in the process of obtaining nonprofit status, at which point the organization will be able to officially accept donations. It costs an estimated $2,500-3,000 per refugee — at least $10,000 for a family of four, and even more for a larger family. At this early stage in the process, CARE has not been partnered with a specific family yet; the family might come directly from Ukraine, or have already come to the U.S. and needs help settling in a community.
Once the family arrives, CARE members will help integrate them into Whidbey Island. The group will help them obtain food, clothing, housing, transportation, and employment; connect them with any legal and medical services they might require; and get kids enrolled in school. The goal is to give the family the help they need to become independent in their new life.
“It’s only one family, but it’s one family that escapes the traumas that they have to deal with,” said CARE member Leslie Improta.
CARE is in search of any volunteers, including youth and young adults, who are willing to lend their expertise, resources or contacts in these and other areas once the family arrives on Whidbey Island. Anyone interested in learning more about this effort may attend the group’s planning meeting at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church or contact Bob Wall at bobcwall@gmail.com.
