A non-profit in North Texas is helping refugees trying to escape Ukraine. Mansfield-based Allies in Youth Development was launched in 2011 to work with orphans in Eastern Europe; since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the organization has expanded its mission to help families and seniors relocate to other countries.
"We feel safer, but their heart is still in Ukraine even though they are in Romania now," one mother said through an interpreter. She said a house they stayed in before leaving Ukraine is now being used by other refugees, saying she was staying there with her sister, her sister's husband, and a pregnant woman. She says they were also caring for ten children.
"They had just 15 minutes to get packed and drive immediately from this house to the border with Romania," she said. "Now, the house they abandoned, other refugees are using it who are moving from the east to the west of Ukraine. They allow them to use the house temporarily and feel safe and then continue moving to the western part of Ukraine."
Chris Burgin, a co-founder of Allies in Youth Development, said volunteers who have previously worked with orphans are now picking up orphans, families and seniors at train stations and taking them to the border.
"They are willing to go, what I would consider, way above and beyond," Burgin said.
One volunteer, also speaking through an interpreter, said many kids they had already been working with have been returning in search of food and shelter.
"A bus that was traveling to their place with 20 kids was hit with an air raid and never made it to their place," he said. "They don't know the destiny of these kids."
He said a hostel has opened to provide food and shelter for people trying to get to the border.
Another volunteer said they had helped about 1,000 refugees pass through a rail station to move on to Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia.
"We organize volunteers to help people with hot tea, some food, but most importantly, we help them with hope for a better life," he said.
Allies in Youth Development says the refugees included more than 150 orphans. Burgin said some orphanages have been sheltering-in-place.
"In the middle of this crisis, there are volunteers who are stepping up to help other people," Louis Fawcett, president of the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives said.
Allies in Youth Development says its costs were reaching about $200,000. People can learn more at https://alliesyouth.org/.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD