Support ramps up as more Ukrainians expected to come stay in Waterloo region

A local grassroots group that aims to support Ukrainians coming to stay in Waterloo region says it's seeing more community members offering to help.

Stephanie Goertz, who founded the volunteer group Waterloo Region Grassroots Response To The Ukrainian Crisis, said it's anticipated more people will arrive in the region in the next two weeks under the federal government's new emergency immigration program.

She said the group has grown since it started in mid-March, with more than 275 volunteers now meeting on a weekly basis to organize and address evolving needs.

"It's been an overwhelming amount of support." 

Goertz said the community's willingness to help house Ukrainians has grown so much that they are looking to partner with an organization that can help them co-ordinate housing to match Ukrainians with the right host home.

"We already have almost 70 people that have offered their homes," she said. 

"We're trying to do profiles on the host families and really do a good job of matching up families so that everyone can be successful."

Churches doing their part to help

Local churches have also stepped in to help where they can.

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Philipsburg have put out a call on Facebook for school supplies and backpack donations for Ukrainian children and teens who will be attending school.

Pastor Leanne Darlington said that initiative got underway after a church member, who is part of Goertz's grassroots group, brought up the need to the congregation.

Darlington said she is cognizant of other refugees around the world who are in need, but this small drive is one way she hopes her church community is making a difference.

"We're a country church, there's probably about 120 members, so we're not great in size, but we are mighty in spirit and faith, and trying to make a difference," she said.

Since February, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Sophia in Waterloo has been collecting donations that they send to Europe.

Church member Ivan Jaworksy, who is involved in organizing those donations, said that at the beginning, people dropped off "just about anything you can imagine," including food items to clothing, but they are heavy and hard to ship overseas. 

Those items won't go to waste, Jaworsrky said. The church has set them aside for Ukrainians who will be settling in the area.

Jaworsky said now the church is asking for medical supplies and items like sleeping bags.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Transfiguration in Kitchener has also organized an interfaith prayer service for peace in Ukraine for Monday night at St. Anthony Daniel Roman Catholic Church.

Rev. Myroslaw Tataryn said about a dozen leaders from different faith groups will lead the service, which starts at 7 p.m. ET.

"The outpouring of understanding, of concern, support and empathy for the situation in Ukraine from Canadians generally ... has been incredible," Tataryn said.