The Carr St. Gospel Church is working in collaboration with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to put our Christian faith into action and support the Ukrainian families coming to Canada to escape the crisis in their country. It is our desire that through our united effort, we will have greater impact, God will be glorified and "the world may know that [God] sent [Jesus Christ] and loved them" (John 17:23b ESV).
Please contact us at x4ukraine@gmail.com if you would like to help.
Sponsor a Family
Many things need to be done to help the families get settled. Settlement Counsellors at government supported organizations are available to help, but we are looking for people to help connect the families with the counsellors. Please consider having your small group or church “sponsor” a family. Some of the things the families may need some help doing in the first few days to month are:
· Get a cell phone and phone plan
· Find short-term and long-term housing
· Get internet set up
· Open a bank account
· Apply for Ontario Driver’s license, SIN
· Explore public education options for children, contact school board
· Learn the basic orientation to life in Canada (how to use public transit, shopping for groceries, navigating around the neighbourhood)
· Find the closest public library, community centre and/or recreation centre
· Find a family doctor or closest walk-in clinic
· Find out about counselling and mental health services in the community, if needed
And sometimes all that is needed is a friend showing love and compassion. Contact us if you would like to walk alongside a family on their journey.
Buy and Deliver Groceries
For families who do not have anyone sponsoring them to help with the transition (i.e. most of them), we are looking for a team of people to help the most urgent needs of finding food and shelter for the first few months for them. Please ask your small group and churches if they would be willing to buy fresh groceries (eggs, milk, bread, chicken, vegetables, fruit, etc.) for a family (usually between 2 to 5 people) for a week or longer. The need for food will continue for months as families continue to stream into Canada and we are struggling to meet this basic human need. We would greatly appreciate it if small groups within a church could alternate to feed a family.
Help Find Housing
Securing housing continues to be the most challenging issue. The government initiative to provide emergency housing in Ontario is not yet in place and families need shelter now. We are looking for people to help us find temporary housing (1 week to 1 month), medium-term housing (2 - 6 months) and long-term housing (1 year+). Securing housing, even if only for a month, allows the families to process government documents, access services, enroll their children in local schools, and gain some stability. Without it, their ability to resettle is impeded.
We are looking for volunteers specifically tasked to help find housing for the families. The duties will range from connecting families with emergency housing at shelters, assisting with the online housing search to spearheading creative housing solutions.
Airport Pick-Up/Drop-Off and Passing of Donations
Many of the families will pass through the Toronto Pearson International Airport before reaching their final destination. Upon arrival, some of them will need immediate items such as car seats, strollers, diapers, etc. We are looking for volunteers to meet the families at the airport, pass these items onto them and possibly assist them to the next leg of their journey, e.g., to the train station or drive them to where they are staying. Many of the families arriving are single mothers with young children and little to no English. Entering Canada under these circumstances can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. We desire to welcome them, meet some of their physical needs, pray for them and ease the transition.
Translation
We anticipate there will be times when a Ukrainian and Russian translator is required. We are hoping to form a list of people who can assist in important translation or interpretation on an as-needed basis.
Movers
We need strong individuals who can help load/unload furniture and bring them into the homes the families will be staying at. Please share your hours of availability, area you live in, and whether you have a vehicle suitable for moving or not.
Resume Services
The format of resumes is different in Ukraine, and we are seeking volunteers who can review their resumes and provide feedback so that they are more aligned to the Canadian-style format. This can be done from home via email at a time convenient for you.
Many things need to be done to help the families get settled. Settlement Counsellors at government supported organizations are available to help, but we are looking for people to help connect the families with the counsellors. Please consider having your small group or church “sponsor” a family. Some of the things the families may need some help doing in the first few days to month are:
· Get a cell phone and phone plan
· Find short-term and long-term housing
· Get internet set up
· Open a bank account
· Apply for Ontario Driver’s license, SIN
· Explore public education options for children, contact school board
· Learn the basic orientation to life in Canada (how to use public transit, shopping for groceries, navigating around the neighbourhood)
· Find the closest public library, community centre and/or recreation centre
· Find a family doctor or closest walk-in clinic
· Find out about counselling and mental health services in the community, if needed
And sometimes all that is needed is a friend showing love and compassion. Contact us if you would like to walk alongside a family on their journey.
Buy and Deliver Groceries
For families who do not have anyone sponsoring them to help with the transition (i.e. most of them), we are looking for a team of people to help the most urgent needs of finding food and shelter for the first few months for them. Please ask your small group and churches if they would be willing to buy fresh groceries (eggs, milk, bread, chicken, vegetables, fruit, etc.) for a family (usually between 2 to 5 people) for a week or longer. The need for food will continue for months as families continue to stream into Canada and we are struggling to meet this basic human need. We would greatly appreciate it if small groups within a church could alternate to feed a family.
Help Find Housing
Securing housing continues to be the most challenging issue. The government initiative to provide emergency housing in Ontario is not yet in place and families need shelter now. We are looking for people to help us find temporary housing (1 week to 1 month), medium-term housing (2 - 6 months) and long-term housing (1 year+). Securing housing, even if only for a month, allows the families to process government documents, access services, enroll their children in local schools, and gain some stability. Without it, their ability to resettle is impeded.
We are looking for volunteers specifically tasked to help find housing for the families. The duties will range from connecting families with emergency housing at shelters, assisting with the online housing search to spearheading creative housing solutions.
Airport Pick-Up/Drop-Off and Passing of Donations
Many of the families will pass through the Toronto Pearson International Airport before reaching their final destination. Upon arrival, some of them will need immediate items such as car seats, strollers, diapers, etc. We are looking for volunteers to meet the families at the airport, pass these items onto them and possibly assist them to the next leg of their journey, e.g., to the train station or drive them to where they are staying. Many of the families arriving are single mothers with young children and little to no English. Entering Canada under these circumstances can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. We desire to welcome them, meet some of their physical needs, pray for them and ease the transition.
Translation
We anticipate there will be times when a Ukrainian and Russian translator is required. We are hoping to form a list of people who can assist in important translation or interpretation on an as-needed basis.
Movers
We need strong individuals who can help load/unload furniture and bring them into the homes the families will be staying at. Please share your hours of availability, area you live in, and whether you have a vehicle suitable for moving or not.
Resume Services
The format of resumes is different in Ukraine, and we are seeking volunteers who can review their resumes and provide feedback so that they are more aligned to the Canadian-style format. This can be done from home via email at a time convenient for you.
