West Grey group now providing support to two Ukrainian families

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A community group that formed in the Durham area earlier this year to support Ukrainians displaced by war have recently welcomed two families to the area.

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Ukrainian Friends in West Grey and Area have helped to relocate two families, each consisting of a mother and two children, with host families in the municipality. One family arrived about a month-and-a-half ago and the second family arrived about three weeks ago and both are staying in apartment units in the homes of the host families.

Nina Zwart, chair of the friends group, said the community has really stepped up to support the cause and the newcomer families that the group is helping.

She said she regularly hears from those helping out that they receive much more in personal rewards than they give in time and energy.

“For the people that are working with transportation, school and job readiness, in the homes visiting and trying to work through the language, it has been a joy for them,” said Zwart. “People feel so helpless when they hear the news coming out of Ukraine, and to be able to do something positive for even two families it gives us and them hope.”

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One of the newcomers said, who wishes to remain anonymous, said so far they have really noticed the openness and friendliness of the people in the community.

“I have a lot of gratitude to every person from this community,” the newcomer said. “I have a poor command of English and this did not interfere with our communication — the world of technology has simplified this task. The community helps to adapt gently to Canada, gives you the opportunity to gradually pick up your pace — this greatly reduces internal stress. I really appreciate it.”

The newcomer said their host family are very cheerful, good-natured and sympathetic people and they are very glad to know them.

And the host families are also finding the initiative very rewarding.

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One family member, who asked to remain anonymous to protect the privacy of the Ukrainian family they are assisting, said they thought about being host to a Ukrainian family as they watched the news showing mothers with children and grandmothers fleeing Ukraine.

“We have the room,” the host family member said. “We wanted a family that would have a separate living area but would also become part of our family.”

The host said they believed they had “won the lottery” with the family they are assisting.

“We believe that their being here is a positive experience for all of us,” the host said. “The boys are enjoying school and the snow.

“The Ukraine Friends of West Grey have been extremely helpful. Everyone that knows about the family has been positive and ready to help.”

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Ukrainian Friends in West Grey and Area formed in the Durham area in an effort to settle and support Ukrainians who had been displaced by the invasion of their home country by Russia.

In early July a meeting was held to gauge the interest of the community and since then many have come forward to assist, including local churches, organizations and the Municipality of West Grey itself. The volunteer committee now meets about once a month with about 20 people taking part. A smaller steering committee with representatives from the larger community also assists the group.

Zwart said the municipality’s support has been very important to the group, with West Grey now able to provide charitable receipts to those who make donations of $50 or more to either the municipality or the group.

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“I think it is a very positive and forward-thinking partnership with bringing newcomers to the area,” said Zwart.

The group has also held other fundraisers, including a successful Taste of Ukraine dinner at the Durham Community Centre on Nov. 19. The newcomer and host families attended as guests, as did another Ukrainian family now living in Markdale.

The events help to raise awareness, while all the funds raised help to provide the essentials the families need, who arrive to the area with only one suitcase of belongings each. The group has provided the families what they need while they become established in the area, including food, clothing and other items. A transportation committee has been formed with a team of drivers in place to help the families get to places like Owen Sound for medical and vaccination appointments as well as work.

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Zwart said the families have been settling in with the committee staying in touch to help with any assistance they may need.

The group is one of many that have popped up in the area to help settle and support Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion, including in Owen Sound, Grey Highlands and Saugeen Shores.

Zwart said they have worked with others in the area who are helping Ukrainian families, with the YMCA’s settlement services and Welcoming Communities Grey Bruce.

She said resources like Canadian Ukrainian Immigration Services have helped in connecting them with Ukrainian newcomers in need of a more permanent place to live.

“As they arrive in Toronto they try to match them throughout Ontario to an appropriate community,” said Zwart. “We have worked with them to make sure the right people come here. You can’t resettle someone who is used to a very busy city life out into the country.”

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Zwart said that while families are finding safety and solitude in Canada, they continue to deal with the trauma of what they experienced and the concern for family and friends they left behind in Ukraine.

“It is not easy for them,” said Zwart. “They are still connected with family who have had to stay there.

“The men have had to stay and defend, fight fires and do emergency work there. They don’t come in a bubble. They come grateful for what they have and very worried about their family and friends that are still there.”

Zwart said they plan to continue to support the families going forward with what they need, and will evaluate their future direction in the new year.

She said they are open minded about supporting more families, but finding appropriate and affordable housing probably their biggest challenge.

Zwart said the need for help has only continued to grow as the more than nine-month invasion of Ukraine has continued and more Ukrainian families have made their way to Canada, straining services in larger urban centres like Toronto.

“The situation in Toronto is fairly serious. The Red Cross hotels are full and people often can’t stay for the full 14 days because of that,” Zwart said. “There is pressure in Toronto and then pressure throughout to try to accommodate more.”