Ukrainians find pain and promise in Colorado

March 2, 2023
The Tonkoshkur family celebrates son Vadym's 18th birthday. The Tonkoshkur family celebrates son Vadym's 18th birthday. Courtesy of Oksana Kalenova
The Tonkoshkur family celebrates son Vadym's 18th birthday.

The Tonkoshkur family fled Ukraine shortly after the war began last year and  found refuge in the Broomfield home of Oksana Kovalenko and Tom Ehlman. Since then, parents Oleksandr and Svitlana Tonkoshkur have focused on English classes while their four sons attend school. The family worries about people they left behind, but they’re adjusting here. Nazar, 14, is on a robotics team. Vadym, 18, hopes to use his new English skills to become a translator.  A Go Fund Me account has been established to help the family with expenses.