CV NEWS FEED // Poland’s Knights of Columbus have developed career workshops, day care centers, and language programs to support the Ukrainian women and children who have fled to Poland as a result of the war.

Poland, which is Ukraine’s Western neighbor, has welcomed approximately 980,000 refugees since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to the Knights of Columbus. These refugees face significant economic challenges, especially the women and children.

The Knights of Columbus wrote, “To support those in greatest need, Polish Knights have partnered with local organizations to offer daycare centers, career workshops and language programs.”

“We know very well that we often have various problems ourselves, and that’s why, as Knights, we carry this material aid,” said District Deputy Jan Grądzki, a former grand knight of Holy Family Council No. 14002 in Łomianki. “I am glad that there are associations we can support, which also help them learn how to function here in our country and organize their life and work.”

In 2022, the Knights of Columbus partnered with the Arise Foundation to support the organization the Pontes Association. Pontes protects refugee women from exploitation by providing them with mentoring and vocational training. This ensures that the refugee women will not be subject to poor working conditions and low wages and gives them access to a more stable income.

The Knights of Columbus and Pontes also worked together to provide gifts for refugee mothers and children that would help the refugees integrate into Polish culture. 

“The gifts included tickets to the theater and ballet, allowing them to spend time with their children and enjoy cultural experiences,” the Knights of Columbus wrote.

Natalia Wróblewska, strategy manager for Pontes said, “These were truly beautiful presents, meant not only to bring momentary joy but also to provide hope and foster development.”

Once these mothers are equipped to work, their children need child care. Knights of Columbus has worked to support day care centers for both Ukrainian and Polish children, ensuring cultural and linguistic integration for the refugees to flourish in their new country.

“I am delighted with the whole idea of integrating Polish and Ukrainian children,” said Stanisława Kowal, a caretaker at the center. “They can learn language and culture together.”

She added, “We go to the sea every day. We have a lot of toys. Everything is new, nice. The children don’t want to go home!”

The Knights of Columbus shared a heartwarming story of Ukrainian refugees, living in a church rectory, who decided to give back to the parish.

The women and children were staying at St. Wojciech Parish in Częstochowa in 2022, a church that also sent aid to Ukraine, and the church provided them with free accommodations, meals, and other resources. 

These women became very involved in the church’s efforts for Ukrainian aid, volunteering alongside Polish parishioners and managing the warehouse that stored the resources.

“They worked without any compensation,” said Fr. Ryszard Umański, a Knight and rector of St. Wojciech Parish. “They could have a meal, they could take something for themselves … but they never set any financial conditions. No, they were very willing to come [and help].”

The same women decided to thank the Polish parishioners aiding their Ukrainian countrymen. “They made Ukrainian varenyky (in Polish, pierogi) as a way to thank people for their kindness and generosity,” said Father Umański. “People were truly moved; it was such a beautiful surprise.”

This expression of gratitude led to the establishment of a soup kitchen at the parish, and the refugee women cooked meals for warehouse volunteers and others who were in need. The Knights report that most of the women have found new homes and work opportunities, so the soup kitchen operates on a much smaller scale.