DES MOINES, Iowa — Scrolling through photos of her beloved mother and son, Yuliia Bohatkina speaks of the home and family she left behind one year ago, when she immigrated from Ukraine to Des Moines.
"This is my son, and this is my mother," she told Local 5's Meghan MacPherson through an interpreter.
But Bohatkina's decision to come to Iowa wasn’t one she ever thought she’d have to make.
"I had to leave the country because the war started," she said. "It's a very scary and dramatic experience seeing how your neighborhood is being blown up or the kids are hurt."
With Russian bombs dropping all around her home, an American family invited Bohatkina to stay with them. From there, Lutheran Services of Iowa’s immigrant and refugee team helped her find a place of her own, as well as a job.
“I'm very grateful for LSI in particular for helping me with assistance in application for all of the required documents," Bohatkina said.
Bohatkina is one of 70 Ukrainian refugees served by LSI this year. Now settled in her new home, she continues to learn the English language and works at a local restaurant in Des Moines.
And with a new home, comes new traditions.
"I will be celebrating thanksgiving with an American family," she said. "I was invited to their home for Thanksgiving, and I am very grateful for that."
Embracing the Thanksgiving spirit, Bohatkina is sharing her gratitude for safety in the United States, and for those in Iowa who have welcomed her with open arms.
Asked if she's enjoying life in Iowa, she quickly and simply replied, "Of course."
LSI encourages refugees to look into their resources and visit their center when they first come to the state.
“I would tell people who are in a similar situation that I wish the same kind of kindness and help and support I got," Bohatkina said.
LSI Community Resource Navigator Illia Yamchuk, who also came to the U.S. from Ukraine, hopes Bohatkina's story will help spread the word about their offerings and encourage other refugees to connect.
"It’s really important for them to spread the word that LSI is providing some services and help. We will gladly help you, and it’s just great to have this connection," Yamchuk said.
That connection is just one of many things that Bohatkina is thankful for this Thanksgiving.