We are constantly updating this page – check back for more information or watch for new posts on the home page. If you have ideas, questions, or suggestions – don’t hesitate to contact us.

Airfare

  • We found that Ukrainians can typically get the best price for flights in the country they fly out of. Flights booked through American websites and companies were more expensive. However, Economy Air and Delta had the best price for Americans to Atlanta.
  • Economy Travel (submit this form – they found the BEST price for my newcomers!)
  • Kayak (to find best prices)
  • Miles for Migrants (requires a nonprofit organization to request assistance)
  • I am not sure if this applies to US flights or if it’s still in service but it may help: Wizz Air

Cell Phone Service / Wireless Plan

  • Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – National Verifier
    START HERE! Most companies offer FREE or highly discounted rates if you have been approved by the Affordable Connectivity Act (ACP). Apply here after you have been approved by Medicaid or any other program – you do NOT need an SSN to apply. Simply create an online account and click to Apply for ACP. Once approved, you can get FREE service (and cell phone) with most companies. Click here to find a company that accepts ACP.
  • Qlink: FREE unlimited talk & text AFTER approval for government assistance (SNAP/TANF) – Affordable Care Plan (ACP)
  • Mint Mobile: $30/month unlimited
  • T-Mobile: *if* anyone in plan qualifies for veteran, military, first responder discount, Magenta Plus plan is $20/month. You may need to contact them for best price.

Communication, Translation & English Classes

  • UAB College offers free English courses. They meet once a week for 2 hours (7:30pm – 9:30pm).
  • Amazon is offering English classes and training to Ukrainians free thru June 2023.
  • American English Student Book – to help learn English as a second language (ESL), we recommend this book which can be purchased used or borrowed from a library.
  • Varsity Tutors – this is a very expensive option, but provides private online tutoring with a Russian speaking instructor to learn English faster. It includes (2) 1-hour sessions each week, homework, recorded training sessions, and unlimited group classes. (We highly recommend the tutor Tatiana)
  • Trinity Outreach Hub in West Homewood (offers english classes and has many Ukrainians attend)
  • Translating Earbuds: M2 Timekettle – UPDATE 1/6, we found this model works better than the newer WT3Edge version and is less expensive (these help tremendously, each person can wear one earbud. They tap, talk, and hear the translation. It also allows each person with a set to join a group chat for larger conversations – we have had five people connected and all conversed while in a public shopping center)

Drivers License

Find a Sponsor or Newcomer

  • COMING SOON! We are expanding this website to help facilitate connections. Register now to be notified when it is ready.
  • Welcome.us (provides background checks, training, resources, and more!)

Fitness/Gym

  • YMCA – Helpful Hands: contact your local YMCA and ask about financial assistance for humanitarian refugees, and mention the helpful hands program. We received 2 adult memberships, free, for 3 months followed by an evaluation for additional time!

Food, Toiletries, & Clothes

Furniture & Furnishings

Healthcare

Housing / Apartments / Rentals

  • Despite what welcome.us says, Zillow is not a great source for finding rentals. I highly recommend the following instead:
  • Apartments.com – not fast, but allows you to search for certain school zones.
  • Rentals.com – quick search
  • Facebook Marketplace – I know many people do not have or want social media, but this has been a great source.
  • Airbnb (can help with free lodging)

Internet Service / Home Internet

  • Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – National Verifier
    START HERE! Most companies offer FREE or highly discounted rates if you have been approved by the Affordable Connectivity Act (ACP). Apply here after you have been approved by Medicaid or any other program – you do NOT need an SSN to apply. Simply create an online account and click to Apply for ACP. Once approved, you can get FREE home internet service with most companies. Click here to find a company that accepts ACP.

Power Adapter & Voltage Converter

Devices in Ukraine have different electric plugs than USA. If the device label says it supports dual voltage (110-240) then it only requires an adapter.

IMPORTANT – If the device label does not say it supports dual voltage, you must use a voltage converter.

Therapy

Work / Jobs

  • Amazon is offering free learning and training for Amazon Web Services and more. This training is provided in multiple languages so you can get started immediately. It is also one of the most desirable skills in IT in USA.
    • AWS Educate – start here to learn cloud skills (a very hot skill, in demand) in your native language.
    • AWS Training – then go here to get a certification for cloud skills, should also be available in your native language.
    • IT Skills 4U – and finally, go here to help find a job and learn other IT Skills ( you can also start here to learn English)
  • Per USCIS, you do NOT have to wait for work authorization to be complete before getting a job
  • Amazon Hiring 5,000 Ukrainian Refugees (must use program thru welcome.us)
  • Find a Job on Welcome.us (jobs available to refugees, search by state or keyword)
  • CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)
    If you have any information on this topic – please contact us!

    A few newcomers in Alabama expressed interest in getting their CDL and driving trucks for a living. Upon researching this topic, we found some conflicting information. For example – that to get a CDL in Alabama, you must be a permanent resident in the USA. We called several, local CDL training programs and asked this question explicitly. All of them confirmed that a refugee CAN obtain a CDL and drive a truck in Alabama. The only requirements for training are 1) a valid USA Driver’s License and 2) proof of address.

    With that being said, we have not pursued this further. We plan to research local companies that are willing to sponsor our newcomers getting trained and experience. Stay tuned!