1 year later: Ukraine family who found refuge in MKE grateful for community support

1 year later: Ukraine family who found refuge in MKE grateful for community support
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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Maria Stanishevska was about 20 years old when she first settled in Milwaukee in March of 2022, fleeing from her hometown of war-torn Kiev. Her life has changed drastically in a year but said she's learned when human beings support one another, anything is possible.

"Here I'm like in a different world, a different planet," said Stanishevska.

Maria, her younger sister, and her parents settled in Milwaukee around this time last year. The only belongings they had were the most essential.

It was all made possible by connections Maria and her sister had to Camp Interlaken.

"Thanks to them that they helped us a lot. They gave us the clothes, the food, shampoos, everything," said Maria.

In August, war couldn't keep Maria away from her home, so she decided to return for a couple of months.

"Even if it would've been the last time when I see my home, I want to see it," said Maria.

She said the conditions of her hometown got even worse than she last remembered, saying electricity was sparse. Her once luminescent city nearly pitch black.

In that darkness Maria found time to make light. She enrolled herself to receive her master's degree in biotech and bioengineering.

"I just want to help people," said Maria.

She said she's not sure if her family will stay in the states long-term but hope one day they can return home safely.

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