More than a dozen Ukrainian teens and mothers set to visit Rockford in August

July 14, 2022|By Mary Sisk|In News, 815 News, Local, Rockford, Trending
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara at Senator International
Mayor Tom McNamara, shown in March talking about a shipment of supplies going to Brovary from the Chicago Rockford International Airport, hopes to bring a brief sense of relief to Ukrainian teens and mothers visiting Rockford in August. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
Get our newsletter

ROCKFORD — More than a dozen teens and mothers from Rockford’s sister city of Brovary, Ukraine, are set to visit here for 11 days in August.

The teens and their mothers will be staying in the Rockford Christian dorms while their fathers continue serving in the Ukrainian military.

Rockford is the first U.S. city to offer this experience to Ukrainian teens after the mayor’s office in Brovary requested an opportunity for a brief sense of normalcy following Russia’s invasion in February.

“Our goal is to give these students the opportunity to take a break from the tremendous amount of stress they’ve already faced this year and allow them to have new, fun experiences,” Mayor Tom McNamara said in a news release.

More positive news: ‘Ways to bring hope’: New flower bed in Rockford highlights suicide prevention line

Plans are still being finalized by representatives of the city of Rockford, the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the YMCA of Rock River Valley, but help is needed in the form of donations, transportation and more.

“Our Rockford residents really came through to support the Brovary Relief Fund,” McNamara said. “Now I’m hoping our businesses, venues and restaurants will step up and offer to host the group for an activity or a meal throughout their stay.”

Brovary became Rockford’s sister city in 1995 after a soccer team from Kyiv visited Rockford and suggested a sister city arrangement. The Brovary Relief Fund has now raised $213,863, provided 8.5 pallets of medicine and 270,864 meals, according to a news release from the city of Rockford.

How to help

Those interested in helping can volunteer by calling 779-500-0804 or emailing brovary@rockriverymca.org.

Monetary donations are also being accepted through Kids Around the World and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Visit cfnil.org or kidsaroundtheworld.com to donate.

This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent