Restaurant Group Wants To Bring Ukrainian Refugees To Miami, Offer Them Housing & Jobs
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A restaurant in Miami plans to bring dozens of Ukrainian refugees to South Florida.
The owners of Baires Grill, who are immigrants themselves, announced Tuesday a campaign to bring roughly 50 refugees from Ukraine to Miami, house them, and offer them a job at one of the restaurant's five locations.
"Basically, we want it to happen to all of them like it happened to us. To start a new life here," said Nathaly Petry, one of the owners of Baires Grill.
The restaurant group said it will fund the cost of travel and housing for the refugees, as well as legal immigration help to stay in South Florida.
"It's a process, it's complex," said Pierre Hachar, an immigration lawyer who said he will be helping the group and the incoming refugees. "We're here to qualify these individuals so they can have the fortune of having a job, stability,"
The group made the announcement at the restaurant's Brickell location on Tuesday morning. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioners Ken Russell and Manolo Reyes joined in the announcement and said they hope this inspires other people to help the influx of Ukrainian refugees.
"When our world faces hard times, Miami has always come together," said Mayor Suarez.
Baires Grill said it will have a link on the restaurant's website where people can apply for help. The group said Tuesday it is already working with organizations in Poland where many families from Ukraine have fled in recent weeks.
The group will invite individuals and families and will place them in homes or apartments across Miami-Dade County.
Baires Grill owners did not say how much it would cost but said they are prepared to cover the costs completely.
