Local police chaplain aims to bring some healing to Ukraine

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A humanitarian mission to Ukraine aims to bring some healing to the region, following one of the largest casualty events.

A marketplace bombing killed 17 people this week, including children. A local chaplain is heading up the mission.

Greg Young is a Germantown Police Chaplain and a Moral Trauma Specialist.

This will be Young's second trip to Ukraine during the war time. Young says he knows he's putting himself in harm's way but feels called to do what he can. 

"Somebody's got to do it. That's the quick and dirty answer," said Young.

Young will travel to Ukraine next month once again to help others. It was another exhausting day for first responders after a bomb blew apart a marketplace in a city that's been rather peaceful during the war. 

"They're tired, but you know they're fighting for their life," said Young. 

Young has close ties to the Ukrainians he has coached. They gave him a shirt that he wore to our interview.

"One of the things I remember from last trip though, air raid sirens are going off everywhere all the time. There are still a lot of people who are trapped in some of those areas and they need help," said Young.

Young took his moral trauma specialty overseas, speaking in Ukraine in 2019 and 2022. 

"Last time we spoke at police academies you know with 200 students in them and stuff like that," said Young.

The mission will also take Young to military bases. 

"They're gonna have 300 and they're coming from Zaporizhzhia, all of the Eastern front and they're very discouraged because they want to serve their people, you know and they're willing to be in harms way and some are even getting captured and losing their life," said Young. 

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited the country this week, pledging a billion dollars into military and humanitarian aid. 

"And the fact that we're coming over there from the United States in a war in harms way they are just, that means so much to them, just our presence," said Young. 

Young says chaplains in Ukraine take food and spiritual care to people in the eastern front. 

"And faith is very important especially at a time of war. Their churches are full right now. Their churches are full even though there may be a threat of bombing," said Young. 

The mission that Young is traveling leaves out of Chicago on Oct. 18. The mission has raised money that Young will be able to give directly to the people in Ukraine who are in need. If you are interested in donating, click here.