The Day Everything Changed
On February 24, 2022 — the first day of the Russian invasion — Borys knew he had to leave.
A former police officer living in Mariupol, just 30 miles from the Russian border, he and his dog — a Cane Corso — sought shelter underground as bombs thundered overhead.
“Bombs were flying above our roof,” he recounted. “I realized I couldn’t spend the night like this.”
But one day, the war got too close. While searching for food, Borys was wounded by fragments from a drone strike that left him with lasting nerve damage. Shortly after, he fled the city.
Borys’ story is, sadly, just one of many to emerge from Ukraine since the war began more than three years ago — displacing nearly 10 million people. One day, he was a professional in charge of a department investigating tax fraud — the next, he was a war refugee, scrambling to escape a city under siege.
For Borys, this was not the first displacement. In 2014, he had already lost his village when Russia annexed Crimea. But Mariupol was different — this was a full-scale war threatening his life and the lives of millions.
A Stranger in a New Land
Borys was fortunate to have family in the United States — his parents and sister were already citizens. With their support, he managed to escape before Mariupol was fully occupied. Yet, arriving in New York was disorienting.
“I couldn’t see my future,” he shared. “It was like a vacuum. I didn’t know what I could do, and the people in Ukraine were in stress. It wasn’t the Ukraine that it was before the war.”
Arriving in the U.S., Borys felt like “a stranger on a new planet.” He didn’t speak the language, didn’t know the culture, and relied heavily on his loyal dog, who had already saved his life more than once back home.
“My dog sensed when a Russian plane was coming and dragged me into a shelter. When people saw that, they followed. I can say that he definitely saved people because shortly after, the bombs started,” Borys recalled.
Borys’ dog not only saved his life — he also became a constant source of comfort, helping to ease the trauma of escaping Ukraine as Borys adjusted to life with his parents in New York.
“He’s like my guardian angel. He knows when I don’t feel well, and he’s there every time,”
Borys said.
Finding Support and Hope with Catholic Charities
While his dog provided comfort, Borys needed more than emotional support — he needed stability and independence. That’s when Catholic Charities of New York stepped in.
“My first challenge was adaptation, and my second was language. Catholic Charities helped me with basic needs and getting my own apartment and rental assistance so I could start my life by myself,” he said.
“They showed me my future, and that I’m not alone in this,” Borys said.
The Immigrant and Refugee Services Division of Catholic Charities Community Services offers a lifeline for newcomers — providing help with immigration legal services, housing support, employment, language training, citizenship classes, access to benefits, and more – helping newcomers not just survive, but thrive.
Today, Borys has achieved a major milestone: he is now a permanent resident in the U.S.
“For me, it’s a starting point,” he said. “It’s a small step, but a big gift from God.”
Building a New Future
Borys is now employed by the MTA in the Bronx and has moved into his own apartment with the help of Catholic Charities. He dreams of continuing his education, earning a bachelor’s degree, and starting a family of his own.
To others rebuilding their lives, Borys offers this advice: “You need to find community. Join an English class, and when you can speak, find a job fair and go. Then decide what kind of job you want, and apply for different things.”
“Don’t be afraid to communicate because this city is adapted for immigrants,” Borys said. “Don’t be afraid to speak in English. I went to a park where I met only American citizens and started to speak English immediately. I didn’t speak it well, but I did my best.”
Despite all he has endured, Borys radiates resilience and gratitude.
“I think I’m a good man. Really, I feel the love of God on me. I have a good feeling because everything I’ve done so far has brought me good fruits, and still is,” Borys said.
His story is a reminder that behind every refugee statistic is a human life — full of strength, resilience, and hope. Thanks to the support of Catholic Charities, Borys has not only survived in New York but found the tools to rebuild. As conflicts around the world continue to displace millions, organizations like Catholic Charities play a critical role in helping newcomers build new lives with dignity and purpose.
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