Spatrisano said they enrolled only 15 new arrivals last year. They’ve been able to shoulder the dramatic increase with support from community partners.
Most of the Ukrainians arriving in Alaska are doing so with the help of the Ukraine Relief Program, a non-profit run by members of New Chance Church in Anchorage that is finding sponsors and buying plane tickets for people fleeing the war there. They need more sponsors to bring RAIS typically works with clients for five years, so they provide services for more than 400 people at a time. Spatrisano said most people coming to Alaska resettle in Anchorage, since there are more resources available for employment, transportation and housing. But arrivals who already have family or friends in other communities may choose to go there instead.