In the heart of Mykolaiv, 22-year-old Yulia became a beacon of hope for her family of six amidst the relentless explosions that shook their apartment on the 7th floor of a 10-story building. Seeking refuge in her aunt's basement, Yulia became the anchor in the storm, determined to shield her loved ones from danger. She found Helping to Leave’s help chat and filled out a form for six people, including her mother, younger sister, aunt with two sons, and Yulia herself. They were forced to hide during heavy shelling, and Yulia had to search for Wi-Fi to connect with volunteers. Yulia convinced her father of her plan to leave for Poland and then Germany, where their relatives resided. The family embarked on a harrowing journey to escape the war-torn city. With some cities around Mykolaiv already under russian occupation, the family navigated the perilous path, relying on trains and risking exposure to heavy shelling. The journey was fraught with constant explosions, crowded trains, and the palpable despair of displaced people. Yet, with the support and information provided by HTL volunteers, Yulia found solace and guidance, making the arduous trip a bit more bearable. Reaching Poland, meeting a friend, and finding shelter in a stranger's house gave a family a spark of hope. Then, after contacting relatives in Germany, Yulia and her family took several more trains and finally safely arrived in Leipzig.