Refugees from east Ukraine need a safe home that accepts them and their animals. You can help.

Pathfinder XGI is a 501(c)3 non-profit that established its presence in Ukraine at the beginning of the invasion in 2022 as a resource for refugee assistance, trafficking prevention, and aid delivery. Today, we are aiding a local partner NGO, Volunteer Action, in renovating their refugee center.

And it's urgent.

Ukrainian refugees from the east struggle to find housing and resources as they relocate west. And many more refuse to leave their homes and farms despite the imminent danger of war. The reason? Their pets and livestock.

Most refugee shelters have limited capacity and refuse to take pets or farm animals. In addition, many are short-term shelters that provide limited resources to help displaced people rebuild their lives - resulting in refugees stuck in a cycle of insecurity.

The Phoenix is different.

An image of The Phoenix, a refugee community located in an 19th-century Polish palace

The Phoenix is founded on experience and self-sufficiency.

It was founded by Jay Riveria, an American volunteer with 3 years of experience working in a self-sufficient Hope Shelter in Poland. There, he played a vital part in assisting over 150,000 Ukrainian refugees. He and his team of international volunteers know what works -- and what doesn't. Which is why the Phoenix is primed to start off on the right foot.

Located in the former home of Count Stanisław Skarbek, the former palace includes spacious bedrooms and communal spaces for a livable, open environment. Just an hour outside of Lviv, it also provides access to livelihood opportunities. But this is just the beginning.

The initial launch of the Phoenix will include the first floor and room for around 50 people to build their homes in the community. The Phoenix aims to be self-sufficient. In addition to food and shelter for themselves and their animals, refugees will receive:

Job training
Employment opportunities
Volunteer opportunities
Psychological/medical/dental support

And the cost of living after The Phoenix opens its doors? Housing, utilities, and food for 1 refugee for a month is only $4 a day.

Image: A the start of a room at The Phoenix, which residents can decorate and turn into a home.

But what will the money be used for?

The funds will enable our volunteers to help prepare The Phoenix. We aim to send volunteers to Ukraine to help complete the project before the official opening day of April 1st.

A minimum of 90% of funds are set to go to program materials/local labor if required. 5-10% will go towards veterans volunteer accommodation/travel for March. Our volunteers will be helping with their expertise, labor, and logistics.

What is needed? Currently, we are looking at assisting with:

Utilities infrastructure updates
Installing our first Project Henrietta chicken coop for food security in Ukraine
Accommodation/travel to support our veteran volunteers

Image: Donated equipment in The Phoenix's community kitchen.

FAQ

What are you currently doing in Ukraine? In the past, we have assisted with refugee evacuations, emergency aid, and medical supply access. We have a two-pronged vision for our programs in Ukraine: Food security through poultry and local NGO support to increase efficiencies and prevent waste.
Are you a registered nonprofit? Yes, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the state of Tennessee, EIN 99-5094007.
Is my gift tax deductible? Yes. Effective September 5, 2024, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your donation should be tax deductible.
What will the funds be for? The funds will be split towards purchasing materials, potential labor costs, material transport, refugee support costs, and volunteer stipends for living expenses. The bulk of funds are estimated to go towards building materials and all costs will be publicly published in a project report. Once The Phoenix is fully open, monthly expenses to support one person with utilities and food is $121. Your gift now can make this project possible.
How long will this project last? We expect volunteers to spend 3-4 weeks at the facility. Stipends will cover rent, food, and some travel for our veterans while they are in Ukraine.
What happens if there is money left over? Suppose we have the good fortune to have some donations left in savings. In that case, that will be rolled into another program -- either for domestic natural disaster relief or our additional Ukraine-based projects.
Are all of your volunteers also veterans? No. While we do give preference to US military veterans in terms of acceptance and support, we do accept civilians. Our founder and the core Pathfinder XGI team are all U.S. military veterans and our volunteer teams are veteran-led.
How can I volunteer? We are prepping a streamlined volunteer system to go live in late January. This will allow you to apply to our database to help with domestic and international projects.
I found this campaign from a page saying I can win a trip to Poland. Is that legit? Yes! Simply click the "Fundraise" button, create your fundraiser profile, and begin sending out your campaign link. The Top Fundraiser at the end of the campaign period wins the trip.
I don't have money. How can I help? Sharing with friends, family, and coworkers is the easiest way to make an impact. We also accept in-kind donations for auctions. Please message Kelsey at kelsey@pathfinderxgi.com for more information on how you can help.

The Phoenix: A Self-Sufficient Refugee Shelter

Build a self-sufficient shelter for Ukrainians fleeing war