MUSCATINE, Iowa–Over a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, three more Ukrainian Refugee families will come to Muscatine. The Pustovit, Yildiz, and Zozulyak families arrived in or will arrive in Muscatine, making it their home at least until the conflict in their homeland ends.
Andriy Pustovit came to Muscatine earlier this year because he found a job. Since coming to the city, he has enjoyed it. ” I like this small, cozy, and calm environment,” he said. “Everything is close, church, river, parks.” Because of his satisfaction with Muscatine, his wife, Oksana Pustovit, and his three young sons, Volodymyr, Matvii, and Mark Pustovit, will soon join him.
On May 29, the Yildiz family arrived in Chicago and then traveled to Muscatine. Larysa and Senol Yildiz, with their children, 14-year-old Oleksandr and nine-year-old Adem Yildiz, initially fled from Kyiv, Ukraine to Turkey to live with Senol Yildiz’s parents. In Muscatine, they hope to find work soon. Larysa Yildiz, who speaks some English, previously worked as an event planner and later in a school for students with special needs. Though Senol Yildiz does not speak much English yet, he has a reputation as a language learner, as he learned Ukrainian, which differs significantly from his native Turkish. A mason by trade, he hopes to continue his profession in the Muscatine area.
Earlier, on May 26, the Zozulyak family flew into Chicago. The family previously lived near Muscatine’s Sister City of Drohobych. Oleksandr and Yulia Zozulyak and their five-year-old son, Oleksandr Zozulyak Jr., initially went to Poland before deciding to come to the United States. A friend of Oleksandr Zozulyak told him about truck driving opportunities at companies like Grain Processing Corporation, and he liked that he could continue his career here. Yulia Zozulyak previously worked manicurist. Both will enroll in English language learner classes at Muscatine Community College to help them acclimate to the community.
The Yildiz Family’s arrival in Chicago. Back row: Mark Carroll, Senol Yildiz, Walter Conlon, and Oleksandr Yildiz. Front row: Larysa and Adem Yildiz. Photo courtesy of Mark Carroll.
As Ukrainian refugees continue to arrive in Muscatine, they will need housing and supplies, depending on their specific situations. The Rotary Club of Muscatine has graciously agreed to donate everything the Zozulyak family will need. Deb Hueser will work with the Muscatine Action Committee for Ukraine to collect supplies for the Zozulyak family. If you want to know what items the family needs and donate any of them, you may contact Hueser by email.
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine still going on, Muscatine Action Committee for Ukraine member Walter Conlon feels glad that Muscatine can continue to take in refugees. “The war is going on, and it’s not a pretty sight,” he observed. “The best thing we can do to help the Ukrainian war effort is to get civilians out of the way.”
As more Ukrainians come to the United States, he urges cities across Iowa to welcome them. “There’s nothing we’ve done that any other community in Iowa can’t do,” he stressed. “You just need a core of people willing to go out on a limb and do it.”
