CCFCS Launches "Ukraine Project – See Their Stories"

Rochester, NY… – ) Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFCS) is proud to unveil a major new addition to See Their Stories, our award-winning video and web-based program that presents the personal vignettes of 9 refugees from 6 different countries, told in their own words. Since February 2022, CCFCS has helped resettle more than 1000 Ukrainian men, women and children who fled the war in Ukraine. Their powerful testimonials about being forced from the home they loved to find peace and safety for their families, are now also recorded in a new Public Service Announcement Campaign called “See Their Stories – What is Home?”

These personal vignettes, as well as a 30-second public service announcement, are now available at www.SeeTheirStories.org.

“Refugees face challenges most of us can not imagine,” says Lori VanAuken, CEO of CCFCS. “For over 100 years, CCFCS has helped people from all over the world resettle in Rochester after fleeing war, persecution, and neglect. Our hope is that the personal stories of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters will help us better understand why it is so important to welcome refugees and celebrate their contribution to our community.”

The first “See Their Stories” campaign was launched by CCFCS in 2017 to bring clarity to the mistrust and misunderstanding of refugees from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The addition of the Ukrainian stories further highlights the troubling, inspiring and at-times beautiful journeys of refugees.

This project was made possible thanks to a generous donation of time and talent from Sundance Marketing, AdHouse Productions, Crystal Pix Inc., David J. LeVant, Inc., Kyle Image Consultants, PowerHouse 27, Ukrainian Federal Credit Union, and our community partners at Saint’s Place.

See Their Stories and watch “What is Home” at www.SeeTheirStories.org

About Catholic Charities Family and Community Services: Catholic Charities Family and Community Services provides housing, employment, and coordination of care to help people of all ages and all walks of life live independently with dignity, while facing the challenges of addiction, aging, mental illness, HIV, poverty, developmental disability, and immigration.