In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of these causes.
For a 100% matching donation, send your donation to katrina.cass@gmail.com (Paypal) or @katcass (Venmo).
Refugee Support
As explained in the biography, Gina was born in a displaced person’s camp. Her parents were Polish, and although not Jewish, were taken by the Nazis as forced labor during the war. After the war, their homes were destroyed leaving them no where to return. The family immigrated via the Displaced Persons Act of 1948, and while beneficial to her family, was criticized for its antisemitic provisions.
The war had a profound effect on Gina’s family, both emotionally and economically, and through generations. It pained her father to not know if his family had survived the war.
Gina’s father was born in Zolochiv, which is part of modern Ukraine. Gina was heartbroken with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and felt deeply for those forced to leave their homes.
Gina with her parents, Josephine & Walter, on the train from Austria to Germany.
In Gina’s memory, donations will be made to the following organizations:
A Ukrainian organization providing psychosocial support and rehabilitation for children and families and arrangement of new permanent or temporary housing for IDPs and meeting their basic needs.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
Provides assistance and protection for Palestinian refugees.
NYC Mayor’s Asylum Seekers Relief Fund
Supports asylum seekers with relief programs and services that address a range of needs including immediate survival needs, legal information and services, workforce support, housing and relocation services.