OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A nonprofit that began with a dumpling order has grown into a lifeline for thousands of Ukrainian refugees in Omaha.
Orel Alliance celebrated the opening of its first community center at the Bel Air Plaza near 120th and West Center.
Vitaliy Klimuchuk came to Omaha in 2022, fleeing war with his wife and four children. When he first moved here, Klimuchuk relied on selling dumplings to make ends meet.
“I’m a real estate guy but in here I am a handyman,” Klimuchuk said.
Amanda Hall placed an order for varenyky — Ukrainian dumplings — and got to know the family behind them.
“I just felt like I couldn’t not help,” Hall said.
From dumplings to a nonprofit
Finding work as a handyman wasn’t the problem for Klimuchuk. It was the paperwork.
“When you have extra hands — it’s a much more quiet life. Amanda and Orel Alliance gives huge help with this part for us,” Klimuchuk said.
Hall helped Klimuchuk get a work permit so he didn’t have to rely on dumplings to feed his family.
“Their family just changed my life and made me want to do more,” Hall said.
Klimuchuk’s family led to another and another. Hall now helps 2,500 Ukrainian families across the Omaha area. Her nonprofit, Orel Alliance, has provided more than $1.5 million in direct financial support.
“The application fees now are up to $2,350 per person for a work permit. We want these families to maintain their legal status — that’s a big part of what we do,” Hall said.
A place to connect
The community center is a place for Ukrainian immigrants to connect through baby showers, book clubs and language classes.
“We know a lot of people who live in other states — other people don’t have a service like this. We have another level. Absolutely another level,” Klimuchuk said.
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