Welcome US’s warm welcome

Helmed by Emmy Award-winning directors Perri Peltz and Matthew O'Neill, the poignant 25-minute film One Good Reason follows the story of the Hnatiuks and their two young boys as they attempt to build a new life in rural Wisconsin after fleeing the war in their home country.

Settling in Unity, a small town of 384 people, the Hnatiuks face challenges and worry about the fate of their relatives back in Ukraine, but they also find connection, community and a whole lot of love with their warm-hearted hosts, Bryce and Maxine Luchterhand. 

Welcome.US’s connection platform enables people seeking safe haven in the US to find potential hosts. Since the start of the Russian invasion more than eight million refugees have fled Ukraine, and as of May this year there were over 16,000 displaced persons registered on the platform waiting to connect with potential American hosts. 

Hoping to inspire more Americans to open their homes to refugees, this lovely film ends with Bryce Luchterhand's emotional explanation – as he sits at a hearty dinner with his own family and his new Ukrainian family around him – of their decision to welcome the Hnatuiks into their lives: "you can think of a hundred reasons not to do something, but there is usually one really good reason to do it... so here we are."