We are currently serving over 300 Ukrainian clients, with new walk-ins and calls coming in every week–some even calling for appointments before they leave Ukraine. Alina Dyachenko, our JFS Ukrainian Resettlement Case Manager, was hired in May 2022, and has been working tirelessly to meet the needs of Ukrainians who began arriving in Western Massachusetts after the invasion. Since then we have hired a Family Support Specialist, Ukrainian Case Aide, Ukrainian Youth Case Manager, and will be filling two new additional positions to provide services related to the successful integration of Ukrainian humanitarian parolees and other eligible clients.
JFS provides cash assistance to families and helps families access food assistance, health insurance, additional financial assistance, employment and behavioral health support, and legal counsel. To date, we have submitted over 100 Employment Authorization USCIS applications. Recent good news came on November 21, 2022 with a new law allowing Ukrainians to work without out a work permit for their first 90 days of employment, using only their I-94 form. JFS promptly hired a new Ukrainian arrival, and would encourage anyone looking for new employees to do the same. If you have a job opportunity available, contact Tatyana Abashina, JFS Employment Coordinator, at t.abashina@jfswm.org.
