We Are
Copernicus for UA
We've already made a huge difference for more than 20,000 women and children who found shelter in Poland.
About US
We are a group of unpaid volunteers from Lodz, Poland, who evacuate and assist war refugees from Ukraine. Our team of about 900 is comprised of the alumni and scouting troops of the Copernicus High School in Lodz, as well as other Polish and international volunteers, including several from the United States. We call ourselves The Copernicus Group and our effort is known as Copernicus for Ukraine. We are a grassroots operation and receive no funding from governmental entities.
We assist those at most risk and in most need, predominantly children and their mothers and other guardians, the elderly, and the disabled. We also evacuate orphans and disabled children to prearranged childcare and healthcare accommodations throughout Poland and elsewhere in Europe. To date, the Copernicus Group has brought over 1,400 people to safety.
In addition to evacuating women and children, we supply refugee reception points in Ukraine and Poland with necessities, including diapers, baby formula, strollers, food, blankets, tampons, medication, and clothing. Once the refugees arrive in Poland, we provide logistical and legal support, living accommodations, healthcare, education, and everyday necessities.
What we do?
60%
Transport of refugees
The Copernicus buses, rented with our own funds and with donations from supporters like you, pick up refugees from the Lviv-Holovnyi Train Station in Ukraine and deliver them to reception points in Poland.
Our volunteer coordinators on the buses manage the evacuation operations, assist the refugees, and coordinate with the Ukrainian and Polish border authorities. Our volunteers also use their personal cars to transport the refugees from the border to accommodations elsewhere in Poland.
30%
Community building
We organize frequent meetings and excursions aimed at reducing the stress and trauma, and providing entertainment to both children and adults. Our goal is to relieve some of the suffering, while building a strong, lasting Polish-Ukrainian community.
Examples of our community building programs include art classes, farm and zoo visits for children, sightseeing trips, and cooking workshops.
A media team is documenting our efforts, which will be shared on this page.
10%
Polish Girls for Ukrainian Girls
Programmers, social workers, and other volunteers in our group are currently developing a free online information platform for Ukrainian refugees in Łódź.
The platform will provide all information necessary for the refugees to integrate into their new environment, from step-by-step instructions on how to legalize their stay and employment to job hunting tips, public transportation maps and schedules, and up-to-date news on various free initiatives organized for their benefit throughout the city.
Annual Report
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