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Katie Eichten ’04 graduated from ��ɫӰ�� with a degree in broadcast journalism, which opened her eyes to the power of action, advocacy, and awareness. This commitment to justice led her to obtain her master’s in counseling from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. 

While living in Relovo, Bulgaria with her husband, Jared Mitchell, Eichten witnessed firsthand the sudden and devastating refugee crisis that enveloped Bulgaria and other neighboring countries once Russia initiated its ongoing war against Ukraine in 2022. 

Taking stock of their resources, Eichten and Mitchell determined that they would leave no stone unturned in their response to this humanitarian crisis. In addition to inviting a family to stay with them in their home, they also raised funds that enabled them to subsidize rent or pay living expenses for seven different families, including two they hosted in their nearby ski apartment. 

Eichten and her husband continue to run a fundraising campaign called “Komfort 4 Ukraine” with a mission to create comfortable places for displaced Ukrainians in Bulgaria, and to date the campaign has raised over $20,000. Recent fund recipients received English education, Christmas gift allowances, rent subsidies, food budgets, baby diapers and formula, and SIMcards. 

“There have been so many obstacles,” said Eichten, "but one of the things I learned from St. Kate’s is to find ways around them, and stay positive through it all. You don’t give up. You find a way to get things done because these people need our help.”