URGENT APPEAL ISSUED TO HELP UKRAINIANS FIND REFUGE

CANADA'S CUAET VISA, THE PATHWAY UKRAINIANS USE TO ENTER CANADA, IS SET TO END MARCH 31

Dave Logan has been volunteering with the Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis for the past year and said the feeling he gets is difficult to put into words.

One man he picked up earlier this year in Guelph had nowhere to turn but was able to find temporary shelter at a group home based out of Maryhill.

In the days that followed, Logan transported himself along with several others to a vigil being held in Kitchener to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.

"Lo and behold, he texted me the next week, and he was back in Mississauga building armoured cars," Logan said. "He's got a place and a job and is paying taxes and getting settled."

Volunteers assisting Ukrainian refugees entering Canada said many newcomers don't require a lot of help to get established in Canada. But an increasing number are facing homelessness due to a lack of supports up

on arrival.

The volunteer-led group of residents has issued an appeal for additional community partners to assist. The need is particularly urgent, the group says, because Canada's CUAET Visa, the pathway Ukrainians use to enter Canada, is set to end March 31.

"Ukrainians are scrambling to enter Canada before that deadline and are overwhelming not only our immigration and settlement services but the community groups desperately trying to help," it says.

According to information provided, Ukrainians coming into Canada are eligible to receive 14 days at a hotel, but spaces are limited and don't provide essentials such as food, hygiene items or clothing. When the 14-day run is over, there are no other options for housing. Other than the $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child that individuals can receive once after opening a bank account, there's no other financial support provided.

The Kitchener-waterloo Multicultural Centre says people are being turned away from government hotels, with nowhere else to go.

"People find us by word of mouth or by social media," says Stephanie Goertz, who leads the grassroots support group in Waterloo Region.

"Many Ukrainians have phoned relatives in Europe to raise money to fly back to Ukraine because it is returned or be homeless," the group says.

"We know there are many more that don't know about us and are facing homelessness."

The group is continuing to look for willing hosts who can provide homes, a bedroom or some form of shelter and help with gathering essentials such as food, clothing and hygiene items.

"We are also in need of financial donations to WR Grassroots to help fund the shelters (in Maryhill and St. Jacobs) we have already established," the appeal states.

So far, about 650 families have requested support when coming into the region, and the grassroots response group has connected 155 Ukrainian families (261 adults and 134 children) with willing hosts.

"We are trying to keep up by finding shelter for these people and their families, but we are struggling," it says.

The groups are hoping that religious institutions and community groups may be uniquely positioned to support efforts and are asking anyone interested to consider attending a meeting this Thursday, March 23,to learn more.

More information about the meeting as well as volunteer and hosting opportunities can be found at wrgrassrootsresponse.ca. The group can be contacted at wrgrassrootsresponse@gmail.com or 519242-8524.

"Let's just say I would hope someone would do it for me," said Logan.

"If the Russians came over to British Columbia and we had to leave, I would hope someone would open their homes and hearts for us. This is a humanitarian crisis we haven't seen in ages and it makes me grateful and humble for what we have in Canada."

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: The Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis has issued an urgent appeal for help with an influx of Ukrainian refugees.