On the morning of February 24, 2022, the lives of Ukrainians were forever changed. 

Government employee Oksana Stepanova, living in Kyiv with her eleven-year-old daughter Maria, found herself facing a brutal new reality. Her husband, Victor Martynenko, also a government employee, was on a business trip in Europe, and her brother had gone to fight in the war. 

As the city descended into chaos, Oksana quickly realized that they had to leave. Within just two hours, they packed up and set out southwest, avoiding the heavily trafficked main roads. They navigated through forests and smaller paths as GPS was no longer working due to the conflict. After several days of uncertain travel, they arrived in Kamianets-Podilskyi and stayed with relatives.

As the war continued to intensify, Oksana and Maria decided to head to the Czech Republic, hoping to reunite with Victor. Their journey took them through Romania, where disaster struck as they were involved in a car accident. While neither Oksana nor Maria were seriously injured, their car was totaled and had to be abandoned. With the help of local people, they navigated the accident and continued their journey.

After a month and a half in the Czech Republic, the family made the difficult decision to seek refuge in the United States. They learned about a route through Mexico, despite the many risks involved, and made the harrowing journey. On April 11, they arrived in San Diego, where they were initially settled in a hotel. From there, they flew to Richmond, where they had acquaintances. It was there that they were welcomed by Louis and Anita Solomonsky, a couple whose kindness would change everything.

The Solomonskys not only offered them a place to stay but also provided crucial support in rebuilding their lives. They lent Oksana and Maria a car, helped Maria enroll in school and assisted Victor in finding work. The bond between the families quickly grew, and together they celebrated holidays, shared meals and supported each other through the challenges of starting over in a new country. Louis, in particular, became fond of Ukrainian borscht, a dish Oksana cooked as a thank-you for their generosity.

Louis also introduced Oksana and Victor to Jewish Family Services, where they found further support. JFS helped them navigate their new life in the U.S., providing English-language courses to help them integrate into American society.

"Thank you, JFS, for hiring English teacher Lisse at Louis Salomonsky's request and giving us the opportunity to learn English” Victor Martynenko said. “And also for responding to mine and my wife Oksana's requests for help in finding sponsors for Ukrainians and their families.”

Victor now works security at a manufacturing plant, while Oksana is an employee of a beauty shop. 

Their journey is a testament to their resilience and the power of human kindness. In the face of unimaginable hardship, they found hope not only in their own strength but also in the generosity of strangers who offered them a fresh start.

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