SOPOT Poland/MADISON, Wis.–As the deadly war in Ukraine continues—including Russia’s attack on a children’s hospital within the last week—the Via Stella Foundation has provided an update on the work it is doing to help victims, refugees and credit unions in Poland and Ukraine.
The joint U.S./Polish Via Stella Foundation was created shortly after Russia’s invasion of that country and has raised and distributed significant funds to provide assistance.
Rafal Matusiak, president and CEO of Poland’s credit union trade association, NACSCU, and co-chair of the Via Stella Foundation, stated in its mid-year update, “In Poland we watch the war carefully not only because it is next door but also because it is a repeat of what our country suffered in the past and a clear threat to our future. Information is not always clear. Both sides of the conflict guard their military secrets and the Russians spread disinformation.
‘Uncomfortably Commonplace’
“The topic of war has become uncomfortably commonplace in Poland: its direct, negative effects including as inflation, grain imports, material shortages and future market uncertainty,” Matusiak continued. “Sometimes even small, everyday problems are exaggerated as caused by the war, Russian subterfuge or Ukrainian policies.”
Accomplishments to Date
According to the organization, since the beginning of the year, Via Stella has:
- Established a new medical point for women's health care serving refugees in the Southern Poland city of Bytom.
- Is in the process of initiating another clinic in the city of Putawy, near Lublin.
- Has provided school supplies for children from Ukraine enrolled in Polish schools and will do so again for the fall semester.
- Has continued to provide a psychological assistance program for children from the Garczyn orphanage and plans to expand the assistance to the school in Gdynia that serves Polish and Ukrainian children.
- Is preparing three ambulances for delivery. These will be delivered to the Zaporizhia region, two to Zaporizhzhia City and one to Nikopol city. The organization acquires used vehicles and refurbishes them with up to date trauma medical equipment and supplies.
‘Pathway to Safety’
“Our work continues to be a collaborative effort of direct U.S. and Polish credit unions to provide a pathway to safety for victims of the war,” wrote Matusiak. “We are grateful for the support which U.S. credit unions have contributed. In a period of many demands upon your attention and time, we ask you to continue your attention and support for the work that Via Stella does.”
CUToday had exclusive and extensive coverage of Via Stella’s work in Poland and Ukraine, including accompanying the organization as it delivered two ambulances to Lviv, Ukraine. That reporting can be found here.
For more info on the Via Stella Foundation, go here.
Below, volunteers in Poland with Via Stella Foundation, with co-chairs Rafal Matusiak, second from left, and Brian Branch, third from left.