Hudson Valley residents are working to raise money for a day care center to help children of Ukrainian refugees.

Peter Duda, of Steppe Education, Inc., says they’re trying to open the day care center in a building that was home to the Unitarian Church on Old Jackson Avenue before being destroyed by Hurricane Ida two years ago.

Duda is funding much of the work himself, but the project still needs more money.

"I grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson. I’m the son of people who had to flee a war zone. My parents were slaves taken by the Germans. I see families in that same situation now, and they need help,” he said.

Organizers have set a $490,000 goal to help cover the renovations, upgrades and costs associated with the $600,000 mortgage loan Duda took out on his own home to help open the facility.

Day care teacher Svitlana Khmurkovska Fay hopes the project will succeed.

"I love my country. I love my family and feel bad to be far away,” she said.