As the sun dipped below the horizon, a group of determined Ukrainian women gathered in the Frederick office for a late-night Cultural Orientation session. It was a special occasion, on the eve of International Women’s Day, and despite the challenges of traffic delaying the start until 6 p.m., the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation.
Reflecting on the evening, I couldn’t help but marvel at the resilience and spirit of these women. Their commitment to self-improvement and adaptation in their new home, the United States, was evident. The night reminded me of what I said to my supervisor when I first joined Lutheran Social Serivces of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), “how can we expect our clients to ask the questions that they don’t even know they need to ask?” This sentiment struck a chord within me as it relates to my own experience, but the evening put my concerns to rest as the room buzzed with inquiries from all directions.
The presentation, tailored specifically for Ukrainians with humanitarian parole and delivered entirely in Russian, delved into the intricacies of American culture and society. Typically, our orientation sessions involve people of different nationalities – the office electric with activity with program participants fluent in English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Ukrainian, embarking on a journey of mutual understanding and learning. One program participant, proficient in both English and Haitian Creole, graciously acted as a translator for a Haitian program participant while another participant translated Haitian Creole to Spanish, bridging the gap for others. Meanwhile, our case manager adeptly translated the presentation into Ukrainian for Ukrainian program participants.
As the evening wore on, well past 8 o’clock, the energy in the room remained undiminished. Questions poured forth, eager to learn more about their new environment. I found myself scribbling down a list of topics for future sessions, ready to meet their hunger for understanding head-on.
But it wasn’t just about imparting information; it was about empowering these women to chart their own paths in this country. Their laughter and camaraderie were infectious. It felt like they were witnessing the birth of newfound freedom – freedom from the shackles of uncertainty and fear, freedom to embrace the opportunities that lay ahead.
As we bid farewell to the night, I couldn’t help but feel honored to have been a part of it all. In a month dedicated to celebrating women, it was fitting that we had come together to empower each other, to uplift and support one another on this journey towards a brighter future. And as I glanced at the photo of those radiant faces, I knew that the spirit of resilience and determination would continue to light their way forward.
Contributor: Kate Naboka, Ukrainian school liaison and case manager at LSSNCA
Serve Boldly 