In May and June 2025, a two-part article, “There’s No Place Like Home – a Ukrainian Woman’s Journey” by Daniel Hooker was featured in The Loop. Read Part 2 here. A companion article, “Olga and the Ukraine War,” by Andy Valencia also appeared in May 2025.
I want to say how grateful I am to be part of such a warm and welcoming community as Vashon. From the very beginning, I’ve felt an incredible amount of kindness, support, and understanding from the people here.
I would especially like to thank Daniel, as well as everyone at the newspaper, for giving me the opportunity to share a small part of my story with the Vashon community. I honestly didn’t expect that article to have such a meaningful impact on my life.
Since it was published, many people have recognized me, stopped to say hello, asked about my journey, and offered encouragement and support. One of the most important things that came from the article was that I was connected with a nonprofit immigration lawyer. They have already giving me incredibly valuable guidance about my immigration case, and I truly can’t express how grateful I am. As someone who has limited financial resources, finding experienced legal help has always felt out of reach, so this opportunity means more to me than words can say.
The article did much more than tell my story – it helped me feel that I truly belong here. It reminded me that there are people who genuinely care and are willing to help someone they had never met before. That kindness has given me hope and confidence during a very uncertain chapter of my life.
Thank you again for giving me a voice and for the work you do for this community. I will always be grateful for the difference your article has made in my life.
~ Olga
