CRIS 30th Anniversary Story | Alex
Since the beginning, CRIS has been shaped by those with lived experience. Many of our staff and program leaders are former refugees or immigrants who now use that experience to guide others. As a case manager with our Newcomer Support Services program, Alex is one of many who lead by lived experience.
When Alex arrived in Columbus, Ohio, on August 17, 2023, everything felt unfamiliar—new language, new systems, new culture. A year later, he walked into the CRIS office again—not as a client this time, but as a colleague.
“I remember well when my family and I first arrived in the United States…it was like a new world,” Alex said. “We had only one friend in the States, here in Columbus, with whom we could talk about the system, about documents. It was pretty difficult. I remember well how much CRIS’ Newcomer Support Services team helped us when we arrived.”
Though the beginning was challenging, Alex met it head-on. He had always taken pride in figuring things out himself, so even in those early days, he worked through the complex maze of paperwork and systems largely on his own. That experience now shapes the way he serves other newcomers as a CRIS staff member.
“I think my main purpose in my job is to be a bridge between newcomers and the United States system. Because I did it almost by myself, I can do it well,” he said. “I try to help those we serve learn to do things for themselves. If someone comes to me and says they need a doctor’s appointment, I say, ‘Ok, let’s schedule it together.’ I try to teach them to be independent.”
Before coming to the U.S., Alex and his family had lived in Vietnam for nearly eight years, having relocated there from Ukraine in 2015. What started as a short-term move to join friends turned into a new chapter of opportunity. He worked his way up in a business world there, eventually becoming co-founder of a company that grew from 24 employees to more than 300 during his tenure. But even before Vietnam, Alex had a robust career in Ukraine’s banking sector, spending 13 years in finance and eventually managing a regional division of banks.
Despite his accomplishments, moving to the United States meant starting over—again. And perhaps the biggest challenge was language. “I never considered myself a language person,” he said. When he arrived, he didn’t speak English, but threw himself into learning. He began with Duolingo, took classes at Columbus State, and now meets weekly with an English tutor from Ukraine. He’s come a long way—and he’s not stopping. His next goal: becoming a CPA.
“I love what I do now,” Alex said. “Many Ukrainians are worried right now. They’re not confident in their future here. Almost every day I have several calls from clients expressing concern. I’m proud to be someone who can listen and help.”