Help for Ukrainian Newcomers in Tampa Bay
Help for Ukrainian Newcomers
If you or someone you are helping has recently arrived in Tampa Bay from Ukraine, this page is a starting point. St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church shares this resource to help newcomers, sponsors, volunteers, and community allies navigate the first months in a new country.
For the full Ukrainian-language version of this guide, see Допомога новоприбулим.
First Steps After Arrival
Social Security Number (SSN)
- Where: the nearest Social Security Administration office
- Documents: passport, I-94, work authorization (EAD) or passport with Uniting for Ukraine marking
- Timeline: typically 2 to 4 weeks to receive the card
Florida Driver’s License
- Where: Florida DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)
- Documents: passport, SSN, two proofs of address, I-94
- Tests: knowledge test (available in Ukrainian on fl4ua.org) and road test
- Step-by-step guide: fl4ua.org
Schools for Children
- Pinellas County Schools: pcsb.org for free enrollment
- Hillsborough County Schools: hillsboroughschools.org
- Required documents: proof of address, medical records, records from previous school if available
- ESOL programs (English for Speakers of Other Languages) are free at every public school
Healthcare
| Resource | What they offer |
|---|---|
| USF Health Street Medicine | Free clinic for refugees |
| Community Health Centers of Pinellas | Sliding-scale medical care |
| Gulf Coast JFCS | Help applying for Medicaid |
| FL4UA | List of additional free medical resources |
Work
| Resource | What they offer |
|---|---|
| Gulf Coast JFCS | Employment program, resumes, interview preparation |
| CareerSource Pinellas | Free job search services and training |
| FL4UA | Step-by-step guide to obtaining work authorization |
English Language Programs
| Program | Where |
|---|---|
| ESOL classes | Pinellas Technical College (free) |
| Tampa Foreign Language Center | Individual and group classes |
| Public libraries | Free conversation clubs at Pinellas County Libraries |
Primary Support Organizations
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services
The primary refugee resettlement agency in Tampa Bay. Full support from arrival to self-sufficiency. Over forty years of experience. gulfcoastjfcs.org/ukrainian-refugees
Florida For Ukraine (FL4UA)
Detailed step-by-step guides in Ukrainian for every practical need. Legal help. Available entirely online. fl4ua.org
Ukrainian Florida
Community center with a hub in Tampa. Directory of Ukrainian organizations and businesses. Festivals and cultural events. ukrainianflorida.org
Practical Services
| Service | Where / How |
|---|---|
| Sending packages to Ukraine | Meest offers US-to-Ukraine shipping |
| Money transfers | Wise, Remitly, Western Union, MoneyGram |
| Ukrainian groceries | Euro Food & Deli (Tampa), Babushka’s (Temple Terrace) |
| Document translation | Contact the parish, we can help find a translator |
| Legal help | FL4UA, Gulf Coast JFCS, Legal Aid of Pinellas |
How the Parish Can Help
St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church is more than a place of worship. We are a community family. We can:
- Advise on documents, systems, and next steps
- Connect you with parishioners who have walked the same path
- Support through prayer, counsel, and friendship
- Refer you to the right organizations and resources
Sunday Divine Liturgy is at 10:00 AM in Ukrainian and English. After the service, we gather for coffee and fellowship. Newcomers are always welcome.
Contact
Call or email the parish office. See Contact us for phone, email, and directions.