Grace to Ukraine is a non-profit organization organized for the purpose of providing humanitarian and educational assistance to orphaned children and raising awareness of the needs of orphaned children. Our focus is currently on hosting Ukrainian children in Birmingham, Alabama each summer and outreach trips to Ukraine in the fall and spring. Each of our Directors has either adopted older children that they met while participating in hosting programs or has been extensively involved with orphans in Ukraine through hosting and outreach. They each have a heart for the children still living in the orphanages of Ukraine.
Suzette Salathe is the President of the Board of Grace to Ukraine. Suzette lives in Birmingham, Alabama. When her three biological children were teens, she became involved with ministry to orphans. Over the years, she has adopted 7 children, 6 of whom are Ukrainians that she met on similar hosting programs, and one of whom was adopted domestically. Suzette is a retired attorney, having practiced previously in both Texas and Florida. She first became involved with adoption 25 years ago as an attorney working with Child Protective Services in Texas. She is a member of the Church at Brook Hills and has been involved with orphan care ministry through the Adullam House in Wetumpka, Alabama; the Hands and Feet Project in Haiti; and various hosting programs in the Birmingham area. Explains Suzette: "While it is true that not all Christians are called to adopt; we are, in fact, commanded, to care for orphans. It is my desire to provide an avenue for the local body of Christ to do just that." Email Suzette at [email protected] to get more information on the hosting program for this year as well as get her perspective on the adoption of older children.
Taryn Kilpatrick is the Vice President and Treasurer of Grace to Ukraine. She first got involved in ministry in Ukraine about 10 years ago through Camp Friendship. There, she met her sister, Natasha, whom her parents adopted. Taryn is especially passionate about the care of special needs children in Ukraine and leads GtU's efforts in caring for the children in a special needs orphanage in eastern Ukraine. Taryn brings to GtU an extensive background in business as well as experience in leading teams to Ukraine for Bible camps and other outreach efforts.
Alexandra Davie Horton is the Secretary of Grace to Ukraine. She is the daughter of Founder, Suzette Salathe, and has been involved in ministry to orphans since she was 16 years old. She has traveled to Ukraine numerous times in the last 8 years, speaks fluent Russian, and has a masters of Social Work from Samford University. She currently lives near Denver, Colorado, working with at-risk children. In addition to Ukraine, Alexandra has ministered to orphans in Haiti and is a staunch advocate for refugees and other displaced persons.