TRANSPORTATION BUS PASSES Thanks to community donors like you, Top City Promise has been able to deliver bus passes to each new refugee family arriving to Topeka. This gift provides a means for families to get to and from work, English classes, and so much more. Please consider giving today. Donate DRIVING PRACTICE Congratulations new drivers! Families accepted into the Top City Promise program are supported in their journey to independence through local volunteers. VEHICLE GRANTS After receiving their drivers license, Top City Promise families have the opportunity to apply for a vehicle grant. If you have any questions or are interested in providing a grant for one of our families, please contact transportation.topcitypromise@gmail.com

Mariia's Paintings To inquire about purchasing a painting, please contact Jennifer Whale at (785) 289-8955 $2400 Lesya Ukrainka is one of Ukrainian literature's foremost writers, best known for her poems and plays. She was also an active political, civil, and feminist activist. She is a symbol of Ukraine and freedom, and is depicted on the Ukrainian 200 Hryvnia banknotes. $800 Girl with Bandura. An impressionist depiction of a girl wearing traditional Ukrainian clothing against the backdrop of the famous western-Ukrainian Carpathian mountains. The bandura is a traditional Ukrainian folk instrument similar to a lute. $500 Kansas Sunset. "The serene beauty of a Kansas sunset landscape $500 "Sunset in flight" Captures a scenic sunset landscape viewed from an aerial perspective.

Make a difference today Your donations will go directly to the support and benefit of Ukrainian refugees in areas such as: funding apartments for up to 3 months travel arrangements to help remove refugees from unsafe areas and bring them to Topeka purchasing basic needs such as clothing, food, and bedding And covering medical necessities. Donate

Media Room Media Room Media Room IN THE NEWS Stay up to date on the latest news and events from Top City Promise and learn more about how we are making a difference in our community. WIBW February 18, 2024 Pay it forward: Top City Promise WIBW February 16, 2024 Top City Promise will hold first ever charity gala KSNT January 30, 2024 Top City Promise hosting gala to support Ukrainian Refugees WIBW January 4, 2024 Top City Promise sets first-ever gala to support area's Ukrainian refugees KSNT May 2, 2023 Top City Promise welcomes Ukrainian refugee family to Topeka TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL May 21, 2023 Topeka USD 501 cultural innovation focused on Ukrainian students, bilingualism this year WIBW February 24,2023 Local Ukrainian reflects on anniversary of Russian-Ukraine War WIBW February 13, 2023 1 year after the start of war, Topekans reflect on efforts to help Ukrainian refugees TOPEKA CAPITAL JOURNAL Feb 1, 2023 Almost a year since Russian invasion, Topeka USD 501 is helping Ukrainian families build new lives TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL August 11, 2022 For Ukrainian teens first day at Topeka High is like stepping into a different world TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL April 14, 2022 Ukrainian families find welcoming arms in Topeka after fleeing homes: 'The was has started' KSNT April 11, 2022 Topeka welcomes Ukrainian refugees TOPEKA CAPITAL-JOURNAL March 27, 2022 Helping rehome Ukrainian refugees is personal for Topeka task force leader Yana Ross KSNT March 25, 2022 Topeka: How to help Ukrainian refugees? KSNT April 2, 2022 Topeka prepares to receive Ukrainian refugees TOPEKA CAPITAL JOURNAL April 1, 2022 Topekans showing best of capital city with task force that will help smooth way for Ukraine refugees

Congratulations graduates of Newcomers Acad emy September 2023 Newcomers Academy Topeka's Newcomers Academy, an innovative program orchestrated by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office of Topeka City, has recently been launched in collaboration with Top City Promise. The 8-week initiative is dedicated to extending a warm welcome to new residents and aiding their seamless integration into Topeka's diverse community. In partnership with Top City Promise, the DEI Office has successfully inaugurated the first Newcomers Academy, attracting 20 participants eager to explore the inner workings of public entities and forge meaningful connections with city officials. Vadym Drobyshevskyi, a Ukrainian refugee, shakes hands with Mayor Padilla. Iryna Hutel, a former family doctor and refugee or Ukraine, shakes hands with Mayor Padilla. Supporters from Greater Topeka Partnership Rhett Flood exec director of FORGE Young Talent, Sean Dixon CDNE President Visit Topeka, Matt Pivarnik GTP CEO, Ashley Gilfillan, Molly Howey President Go Topeka, Michelle Cuevas Stubblefield Senior VP of Strategy Vadym Drobyshevskyi, a Ukrainian refugee, shakes hands with Mayor Padilla. 1/8 The primary objective of Newcomers Academy is to cultivate awareness of civic responsibilities and furnish participants with the knowledge necessary for active civic engagement. In its inaugural year, the academy proudly included 20 Ukrainian refugees who have recently chosen Topeka as their new home. The program's success was commemorated with the presence of the Mayor, who joined these new graduates alongside esteemed members of the Topeka Human Relations Commission. Together, they are collectively building bridges, fostering understanding, and contributing to a more robust, inclusive Topeka for all. The Road to Independence Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction" John F. Kenn edy Topeka Workforce Center At the Topeka Workforce Center, job seekers have the opportunity to access the Resource Center and utilize KANSASWORKS, the State of Kansas' online job listing platform, for the purpose of identifying qualified candidates, verifying job availability, or seeking information. Top City Promise encourages and connects refugees to this valuable resource. Resume Building Top City Promise volunteers work with refugees, taking the time to understand their unique skills and experiences. They help refugees craft personalized resumes that showcase their qualifications and potential to prospective employers. By providing templates, and one-on-one assistance, Top City Promise aims to foster self-sufficiency and integration within the community. Job Fairs Job fairs serve as dynamic platforms where refugees can interact with employers from diverse industries and establish valuable connections. These events not only expose refugees to a variety of job possibilities but also enable them to gain insights into the local job market. Top City Promise aims to actively engage refugees in these opportunities. Job Application and Interviews Recognizing that job acquisition is a key stepping stone toward self-sufficiency, Top City Promise strives to eliminate barriers refugees may face in accessing employment opportunities. By actively assisting with job applications and interview logistics, Top City Promise takes a proactive approach in equipping refugees with the support needed to secure employment.

Our Mission Fostering a new life of stability and self-sufficiency for refugees through local humanitarian efforts in Topeka and Shawnee County Kansas. Service Name Service Name Service Name Service Name

My name is Dmytro Pasichnichenko, I am a Ukrainian who was born and lived in independent Ukraine. I have spent my whole life in Kharkiv, the second largest city in the country with a population of more than 1.5 million people, in a city that is only twenty miles from the border with Russia and which was one of the main targets for attack during the outbreak of a full-scale war in Ukraine. The most brutal war in the very center of Europe, which takes the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, does not pity anyone, and therefore, to save the most important thing and be physically safe, many Ukrainians had to leave their native homes and seek a new destiny in different countries, and in such cases as my family– even on another continent. We left everything we had and ended up here in the USA. War is one of the scariest things a person can face in life. Even being safe, many people who have left the places of hostilities cannot find themselves, because the deepest regret and pain from what is happening haunt them every minute. When we arrived in the USA, we were greeted insanely warmly. It is impossible to describe in words this feeling when, heading into the complete unknown, in place thousands of miles from your home, you meet people who sincerely want to help you and this help lies in absolutely all aspects of adaptation. When you feel it directly on yourself, you begin to think about what is valuable in life. In this help that my family and I received, as well as other families like us, I saw what the word "kindness" means. I can say with confidence that most likely in no other place in the world, with a huge degree of probability, I would not have been able to feel like this. I know what a huge contribution the Fellowship Bible Church and many caring people make to good deeds and support for Ukrainians. It was an honor for me to be in the circle of such people, and sometime after my arrival, I began to attend services. For me, the church has become a special place for several reasons, I began to notice what a peaceful feeling I feel during the service, and this internal state is priceless. But more importantly, I have found a very significant answer for myself, what is happening to me and around me. I realized that the Lord wants to bring balance to my life and the life of my family. Faced with the most difficult trials in the face of a tough war and the loss of a former life on one side of the scale, the Lord gave such a miracle to the other side of the scale as an opportunity to meet exceptionally kind people, giving us a chance to build a new life. A life whose meaning lies in the ability to build relationships with people and share kindness. I am infinitely grateful for this and for everything that is happening in my life right now. I ask you to appreciate every minute of life, peace, and quiet, this is the greatest gift that has been sent to us. I also want to ask you to support Ukraine in any way you can, because peace in an independent Ukraine means that justice will prevail. Please share the kindness, because it changes everything around us for the better. With boundless gratitude and sincerity, Dmytro Pasichnichenko

Meet the Team Зустрічайте команду Яна Росс президент Даян Бейсінгер Віце-президент Бет Кенсінгер Секретар Бет Кенсінгер Секретар Барб Чемберлен посол Доктор Грейс Моррісон Звільнений член Тріна Госс Звільнений член Барб Чемберлен посол Олексій Ваховський Звільнений член Джонатан Харт Звільнений член Марія Потапенко Звільнений член Доктор Томас Дж. Дойл Звільнений член Джонатан Харт Звільнений член Енджі Флоршутц Скарбник