2 Harwich men start foundation to house Ukrainian refugees in Poland

HARWICH — When the war in Ukraine broke out, Tom Johnson realized he wanted to do something to aid and make the most of his connections in Poland. 

Alongside with Jim Peterson, the two Harwich adult males started off the Ukrainian Reduction Mission Charitable Corporation. 

“I experienced a company for 12 a long time in Poland, felt like I could be extremely helpful,” said Johnson, adding he “satisfied with Jimmy and he instructed me to be daring.”

Throughout a few trips to Poland given that March. spanning 28 days in whole, Johnson has been identifying where by there is the biggest have to have for resources. A fourth trip is planned later this thirty day period. 

“On the ground, we interact with a whole lot of refugees. There’s a large amount of gaps, and the gaps are meals, clothes, footwear, and essential essentials,” mentioned Johnson. 

The firm is also leasing apartments and hotels to property refugees, with a concentration on encouraging vulnerable moms and children. 

“We’re actually relocating people today from desperate circumstances. The minute they stroll throughout the border to this place in which they come to feel safe and sound and welcomed,” said Johnson. 

In addition to the operations in Poland, the team operates out of a compact place of work in Chatham. Given that the firm was started in March, about $300,000 has been raised by community customers all over New England. 

“Our purpose is to continue to keep boosting revenue and maintain taking care of whichever range of people today that is,” reported Peterson. “100, 500, or 1,000, and we are heading to do it as extended as we can do it.”