Our Story

Uniting for Ukraine Rogue Valley (U4URV) is a local nonprofit organization
providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees who have sought shelter and
security from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Like many of us, Scott Bandoroff was outraged over the injustice of Russia’s
invasion of Ukraine. He felt compelled to do more than give money and decided
to offer housing to a Ukrainian family. Realizing that others in our community
might want to help in this way; he founded Uniting for Ukraine Rogue Valley
(U4URV) in the spring of 2022. He assembled a nonprofit board, and under the
fiscal sponsorship of Havurah Shir Hadash, began accepting donations for
transport and settlement of Ukrainian families. Scott went to Krakov, Poland, to
get his feet on the ground, volunteer and offer escaping Ukrainian families a path
to safety. 

Inviting faith groups in our community to participate in this effort to provide a
safe haven for those families fleeing the war led to involvement by the First
Presbyterian Church, the United Church of Christ, the First United Methodist
Church, the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Trinity Episcopal
Church and Temple Emek Shalom. Besides invaluable financial donations,
community members have stepped up as hosts, interpreters, English teachers,
support team members and healthcare providers. In addition, various
organizations and businesses have provided financial sponsorship, clothing and
furniture, as well as donating food, wine, music, and venues for our fundraisers.

The Ukrainian families living here have worked incredibly hard to rebuild their
lives from the ground up. Their determination to build a normal, dignified life has
been remarkable. Navigating a foreign culture, learning a new language, earning
drivers’ licenses, managing healthcare and finding employment are just a few of
the many challenges they have faced. And of paramount importance, grappling
with a daunting bureaucracy to maintain their refugee status and visas to remain
in this country legally has been a tremendous hurdle.

Currently, U4URV is serving 21 families totaling 55 individuals. These include 4
grandparents, and 1 great-grandparent; 21 children; and 34 working adults. All

are doing their best to support their families, but finding stable employment and
affordable housing is an ongoing challenge. Many sacrifices are required to make
ends meet.
Some examples are
- A College Physics Teacher stitching costumes at OSF
- A Business Owner working as cashier at local bakery
- IT Specialists driving Door Dash and loading trucks at Harry & David

Moreover, these families are now facing new and unexpected financial
challenges. The immigration system has recently changed. Significant delays in
renewing work permits have resulted in fully employed parents suddenly losing
their jobs. The Department of Immigration is now taking 3-5 months to process
work permits and provide reauthorization for employment. In addition, new
immigration fees have skyrocketed, creating undue additional financial pressure.
For example, to apply for renewal (2 years) + work permit for 1 year = $1325.
After receiving conditional approval, one needs to pay an “approval fee” of
$1020 having already paid the original fee. Families of four can expect to pay a up
to $10,000. This is on top of the discontinuation of SNAP benefits and the other
sources of support that were helping families to subsist.

These factors have combined to create a fiscal crisis for our families. Some are
struggling to pay rent and the astronomical immigration fees that make their
futures tenuous. Unfortunately, U4URV does not have the resources to meet
these unforeseen needs. Therefore, supporters of U4URV are coordinating with
us to sponsor a major fundraiser to help support our Ukrainian friends.
 

Donations to U4URV will focus on:
Temporary Housing Support
Help with Immigration fees.
U4URV is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible
Uniting for Ukraine Rogue Valley 
244 Hargadine Street
Ashland, OR 97520  

Phone: 720 236 3707
EIN# 93-1970529